Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1916-11-03

NO more than occurred between us
yonder in Quebec, when l informed
him that l was his wife in name only"
l answered quietly. "Do you blame
me now that you understand his pur-
pose in this marriage?"
How know you the truth of all
you have saidY' he asked. "Where
learned you OF this wealth."
by overhearing conversation while
hidden behind the curtain in La
Barre's Office. He spoke freely with
his aide, and later with Cassion. 1t
was my discovery there which led to
the forced marriage, and our being
sent with this expedition"
You heard alone?'
80 they thought, and naturally be-
lieved marriage would prevent my
ever bearing witness against them.
But l was not alone"
Mon dieu! Another heard?"
Yes, the Sieur d'.Artigny."
Chevet grasped my arm, and in the
glare Of the fire | could see his eX-
element pictured in his face.
Who? That lad? You were in
hiding there together? And did he
realize what was said?"
That | do not know" | answered,
''for we have exchanged no word
since. When my presence was dis
covered D'Artigny escaped unseen
through the open window. l need to
meet him again that these matters
may be explained, and that | may
learn just what he overheard. II was
to enlist your aid that l sent for you"
ITO bring the lad here?"
mo; that could not be done with
out arousing the suspicion OF Cassion.
The two are already on the verge Of
quarrel. You must find some way Of
drawing the commissaire aside-not
tonight, for there Is plenty Of time
before us, and I am nj we are being
watched now-and that will afford me
opportunity"
But why may I not speak him?"
'You" 1 laughed. "He would be
likely to talk with you. A sweet mes
sage you sent him in Quebec" gg.
II was drunk, and Cassion asked 1t
Of me-"
II thought as, much; the coward
makes you pull his chestnuts from the
fire. Do you giveJme the pledgeY"
"Ay! although It's not my way to
play sweet, when l should enjoy to
wiring the fellows neck. What was
1t La Barre said?"
That just before he died my IA
theirs property was restored to him
by the king, but the royal order was
never recorded. 1t exists, but where I
do not know, nor do l know as yet
for what purpose it was concealed. My
marriage to Cassion must have been
an ~afterthought, for he is but a crea-
ture of La Barre's. 1t is through him
the greater villains seek control; but,
nc doubt, he vas a willing tool enough,
and expects his share"
"Why not let me choke the truth
out of him then? Bah! it would be
easy"
For two reasons" l said earnestly.
First, l doubt if he knows the true
conspiracy, or can lay hands on the
kings restoration. Without that we
have no proof Of fraud. And second,
coward though he may be, his very
fear might yield him courage. No.
Uncle Chevet, we must wait and learn
these facts through other means than
force. TITS back in Quebec, not In this
wilderness, we will find the needed
proofs. What l ask of you Is, pretend
to know nothing; do not permit Cas-
sion to suspicion that l have confded
in you. We must encourage him to
talk by saying nothing which will put
him, on guard"
"You-you will try, as his wife, to
win confessionT" he asked finally,
grasping vaguely the n thought oc'
curing to him.
mo; there Is a better way. l de-
spise the man; | cannot bear that he
touch me. More than that, If | read
him Alright, once l yield and confess
myself his property, he will lose all
interest in my possession. He is a
lady killer; It's his boast. The man
has never been in love with me; II
was not love, but a desire to possess
my fortune, which led to his proposal
Of marriage. Now I shall make him
love me.
"We shall be alone in the wilderness
for months to come. l will be the one
woman; perchance the only white
woman into whose face he will looE
until we return to Quebec. I am moi
vain. yet l am not altogether Ill tc
look upon, nor shall I permit the hard
ships Of this journey to affect my at
Effectiveness. I shall fight him witt
his own weapons, and win. He will
beg and threaten me, and l shall
laugh. He will love me and I shall
mock. There will be Jealousy between
him and D'Artigny, and to win my
favor he will confess all that ht
knows. Tonight he sulks somewhere
yonder, already beginning to douo'
his power to control ne"