The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-09-25
CHAPTER /.
At the Home of Hugo Chevet

was soft, and the sun flickered
through the laced branches OF the
trellis.
/ had fled the house to escape
the voice of Monsieur Cassion urg-
ing my uncle to accompany him
on his journey into the wilderness.
| had heard enough to tell me
there was treachery on foot
against the Sieur de la Sale. To
be sure, It was nothing to me, a
girl knowing naught of such in
trigue, yeti had not forgotten the
day, three years before, when this
La Sale, with Others of his COM
pany, had halted before the Ursd-
line convent, and the sisters babe
them welcome for the night.
/ recalled IL all now, and how
we watched them embark in their
canoes and disappear, Monsieur
La Sale standing bare-headed as
he waved farewell.
Beyond him was the dark face
of one they called De Tonty, and
in the first boat mere boy lifted
his ragged hat. | know not why,
but the memory of that lad was
clearer than all those others. His
name was Rene de Artigny.
And in all those years heard
no more. Into the black wilder
ness they swept and were lost to
those of us at home in New
France.
No doubt there were those who
knew-Frontenac, Bigot, those
who ruled over us at Quebec.
Once / had asked my Uncle Chevet
and he replied in anger, bidding
me hold my tongue. Yet. he said
enough so that l knew the Sieur
de la Sale lived and had built a
fort far away. and was buying
furs of the Indians. 1t was this
that brought jealousy and hatred
Once Monsieur Cassion came
and stopped with us, and. as
waited on him and Uncle Chevet,
l caught words which told me that
Frontenac was La Sales friend,
and would listen to no charges
brought against him.
Then Frontenac was recalled to
France, and La Barre was COVER
nor. Uncle Chevet was pleased
when the news came. but he
would explain nothing, until a
week later. Cassion came up the
river to hold conference.
Then l learned that La Barre
had already dispatched o party
under Chevalier de Baugis to take
command of La Sales Fort St
Louis in the Illinois country. La
Sale had returned to Quebec. but
Cassion boosted that the new gov
ernor would not even give. him
audience.
And now Cassion was back
again, bearing a message from La
Barre, seeking volunteers for
some western voyage of profit.
And he brought with him word of
the governors ball at Quebec, and
had won the pledge Of Chevet to
take me tnere.
I could be gracious to him for
that, and what they did was moth
ing to me-all my thought was on
the ball. What would you? l was
seventeen.
The grape trellis ran down to-
ward the river landing. Suddenly
a canoe swept inward toward our
landing. could see those at the
paddles, voyageurs, with gay
cloths about their heads; but the
one In the stern wore a hat, the
brim concealing his face. l knew
not who 1t could be until he STEP
ped ashore. Then I knew.
Hat In hand he came toward
me. "Mademoiselle," he said
gently. us this the home of Hugo
Chevet, the fur trader
looked up, seeing at a glance
that he had no remembrance OF
me.
Yes" I answered. eff you see
him, rap on the door beyond"
"'Tis not so much Chevet
SEEK" he said, but one whom
understand was his guest = Mon
sieur Francois Cassion."
"The man is here" I answered
quickly, "but you will find him nc
friend OF Sieur de la Salle."
"Ah," and he stared at me in.
tently. you know me them?"
81 knew you once as Monsieur.
! friend" said. regretting my in
discretion.
"You knew me once!" he laugh
cd. Surely that cannot be, FOL
never would / be likely to forget
! challenge you, Mademoiselle, t.
speak my name"
THE Sieur Rene de Artigny
Monsieur"
by my faith, the witch Is right
Saint Giles! surely tits true!
have seen those eyes before; why
the name is on my tongue, we
fails me-: ! pray you mercy, Ma
demOiselle!"
81 am Adele la Chesnayne, Mon
sieur."
His face frightened as his lip
echoed the words.
adele la Chesnayne! No. I ha,
not forgotten; only the magic o
three years has made of you
woman. Again and again have
questioned In Montreal and Que
bee, but no one seemed to know
At the convent they said you
father fell In Indian skirmish.
Yes; ever since then hay