Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1916-09-21
CHAPTER xxI-contInued.

TO-
the escape might already be accom-
plished, and l left here to my fate,
Boisrondet knew nothing of my decl-
sion to accompany D'Artigny in his
exile. If the way was difficult and
dangerous, he might not consider ii
essential to communicate with me at
all. De Tonty had promised, to be
sure, yet he might have failed to so
instruct the younger man. | chung to
the window, the agony of this posi-
bility driving me wild.
Mon Dieu! was that a noise over
head? | could see nothing, yet, as
leaned farther out. a cord touched my
face. l grasped it, and drew the dan
Cling end in. 1t was weighted with a
bit of wood. A single coal glowed in
the fireplace, and from this l ignited
a splinter, barely yielding me light
enough to decipher the few words
traced on the white surface: Safe so
far; have you any word?"
My veins t%hrobbed; l could have
screamed in delight, or sobbed in sud-
den joy and relief. fairly crept to
the open window on hands and knees,
animated now with but one thought.
one hope-the desire not to be left
there behind, alone. | hung far out,
gny face %upturned, staring into the
darkness. The distance was not great,
only a few feet to the roof above. yet
so black was the night that the edge
above me blended imperceptibly
against the sky. l could perceive no
movement, no outline. Could they
Abave already gone? Was it possible
that they merely dropped this brief
message, and instantly vanished? No.
the cord still dangled; somewhere in
that dense gloom the two men peered
over the roof edge, waiting my re-
Spouse.
Monsieur" / called up softly, IN
able to restrain my e~agerness.
Yes, madame it was D'Artlgny's
voice, although a mere whisper. You
have some word for me?"
"Ay, listen; is there any way by
which l can join you?"
Join me-here?' establishment at
my request made him incoherent.
why, madame. the risk is great"
"Never mind that; my reason is wor-
thy. nor have we time now to discuss
the matter, Monsieur Boisrondet. is
there a way?"
/ heard them speak to each other,
Il mere murmur of sound; then another
voice reached my ears clearly.
"We have a strong grass rope, ma
dame, which will safely bear your
weight. The risk viii not be great.
I have made a moose. and will lower
It."
1 reached it with my hand, but felt
a doubt rs my fingers clasped it.
"'Tis very small, monsieur"
"But strong enough for double your
weight, as twas Indian woven. Put
foot in the moose. and hold tight.
There are two of us holding it above"
The memory of the depth below
frightened me. yet l crept forth on the
narrow sill, clinging desperately to the
taut rope. until l felt my foot safely
pressed into the moose, which frightened
firmly about it.
"Now," l said, barely able to make
any lips speak. 81 am ready"
'"Then swing clear, madame; we'll
hold you safe"
| doubt if 1t was a full minute in
which swung out over that gulf amid
the black night. My heart seemed to
stop beating, and | retained no sense
other than to cling desperately to the
swaying cord which alone held me
from being dashed to death on the Jag
ged rocks below. Inch by inch they
drew me up, the continuous jerks
yielding a sickening sensation, but the
distance was so short | could scarcely
realize the full! danger, before D'Ar-
tigny grasped me with his hands. and
drew me in beside him on the roof.
l stood upon my feet, trembling from
excitement, yet encouraged in my pur-
pose by his first words of welcome.
adele" he exclaimed, forgetful of
the presence of his c~omrade.. "Surely
you had serious cause for joining us
here"
Am | welcome, monsieur?"
Can you doubt? Yet surely it was
not merely to say farewell that you
assumed such riskT
"No, monsieur, 1t was not to say
farewell. | would accompany you in
your fight. Do not start like that
at my words; | cannot see your face
perhaps If | could l should lose cour-
age, have made my choice, mon
sieur. | will not remain the slave of
M. Casslon. Whether for good or evil,
4 give you my faith"
"You-you," his hands grasped mine.
You mean you will go with me into
exile, into the woodsT
Eyes, monsieur"
But do you realize what It all
means? am a fugitive, a hunted
srnan; never again can | venture with
an French civilization. must live
among sayages. No, no, Adele. the
sacrifice is too great. I cannot accept
of it.r
"Do you love me, monsleur?"
Mon Dieu-yes."
Then there is no sacrifice. My
heart would break here. Godl Would
you doom me to live out my life with
that brute-that murderer? / am a
young woman, q mere girl, and this
is my chance to save myself from
hell. am not afraid of the woods, Of
exile. Of anything, SO | am with you.
would rather die than go to him-to
confess him husband"
"The lady is right, Rene" B~olsrondet
said earnestly. you must think Of
her as well as yourself"
Think Of herl Mon Dieu. OF whom
.nlan do L thlnL 2 --Adnln IL - -