The state herald., 1916-11-10

| yOhASt AZ xuCOCSy "bCu hNts
him that was his wife In name only"
l answered quietly. "Do you blame
me now that you understand his pur-
pose in this marriageT
"How know you the truth Of all
you have saidT 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. It
was my discovery there which led to
the forced marriage. and our being
sent with this expedition"
"You heard alone?"
$50 they thought. and naturally be-
lieved marriage would prevent my
ever bearing witness against them.
But was not alone"
"Mon dieu! Another heardr
"Yes, the Sleur d'Artigny."
Chevet grasped my arm, and in the
glare Of the fire I could see his ex-
element pictured In his face.
"Who? That lad7 You were in
hiding there together3 And did be
realize what was saidY'
THAT do not know" I answered,
"for we have exchanged no word
since. When my presence was dis
covered D'Artigny escaped unseen
through the open window. 1 need to
meet him again that these matters
may be explained. and that may
learn Just what he overheard. It was
to enlist your aid that sent for you"
! To bring the lad here?'
"No; that could not be done with
out arousing the suspicion OF Cassion.
The two are already on the verge of
quarrel. You must fnd some way Of
drawing the commissaire aside-not
tonight, for there Is plenty OF time
before us. and am sure we are being
watched now-and that will afford me
opportunity"
"But why may not speak himr'
Your laughed. HE would be
likely to talk with you. A sweet mes
sage you sent him in Quebec"
II was drunk, and Cassion asked Il
Of me-"
II thought a. much; the coward
makes you pull his chestnuts from the
fire. Do you give me the pledger'
"Ay! although tits not my way to
play sweet, when I should enjoy to
wiring the fellows neck. What was
1t La Barre said?"
THAT Just before he died my fa-
TIERS property was restored to him
by the king. but the royal order was
never recorded. II exists, but where
do not know. nor do 1 know as yet
for what purpose It was concealed. My
marriage to CassIon must have been
an afterthoueht. for he Is but crea-
ture Of La Barrc's. 1t is through him
the greater villains seek control: but,
no doubt, he was willing tool enough.
and expects his share"
"Why not let me choke the truth
out OF him theny Bah! 1t would be
easy."
"For two reasons" I said earnestly.
First. l doubt II he knows the true
conspiracy, or eau 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. IT'S back In Quebec. not In this
wildcrne We will find the needed
proofs. What ask OF you IL, pretend
to know nothing; do not permit Cas-.
sion to suspicion that l have confided
In you. We must encourage him Ia
talk by saying nothing which will put
him on guard"
"You-you will try. rs his wife, ia
win confession?" he asked finally
grasplng vaguely the one thought oc'
curing to him.
mo; there n better wny. I de-
splse the man; I cannot bear that he
touch me. More than that, II l read
him Alright. once I yield ind confess
myself his property. he will lose oil
Interest in my possession. He 10 q
lady killer: It's his boast. The man
has never been In love with me; II
was not love. but desire TO possess
my fortune. which led TO his proposal
Of marriage. Now shall make him
love me.
ave shall be alone In the wilderness
for months to come. ! will be the one
woman; pcrchancc the only white
woman into whose face hc will loot
until we return to Quebec. I am moi
vain. yet I am not altogether III "a
look upon, nor shall permit tho hard
ships Of this journey to affect my at
tractivcness. I shall fght him with
his own weapons. and win. He will
beg aud threaten me. and I shall
laugh, Hc will iovo me and I shall
mock. There will be jealousy between
him nnd D'Artigny, ana to win my
favor he will confess all TINT HI
knows. Tonight he sulks somewhere
yondcr. already beginning to doubt
his power TO control me-"
"You have quarreicd7"