The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1916-10-26

woods. All! he has reached the rock
safely-'tis the signal"
D'Artigny drew up the cord, testing
1t to make sure the strands held firm.
and made careful moose. into which he
slipped my foot
Now, Adele. you are ready"
Eyes, sweetheart; kiss me irst."
you have no fear"
"Not with your strong hands to sup
port, but do not keep me waiting long
below"
Ay, but was frightened as I swung
of into the black void, cllnging des-
perately to that slight rope, steadily
sinking downward. Ny body rubbed
against the rough logs, and then
against rock. Once a jagged edge
wounded me, yet dare not release my
grip, or utter a sound. S2uk down,
down, the strain ever greater m my
nerves. retained no knowledge Of
distance, but grew apprehensive Of
what awaited me below. Would the
rope reach to the rock? Would swing
clearl Even as these thoughts began
to horrify, I felt hand grip me, and
Bolsrondet's whisper gave cheerful
greeting.
ut is all right, madame; release your
foot, and trust me. Good, now do not
venture to move, until Rene joins US.
Faith, he wastes little time; he is CON-
Ing now."
could see nothing, not even the
outlines of my companion, who stood
holding the cord taut. could feel the
Jagged face Of the rock, against which
l stood, and ventured, by reaching out
with one foot, to explore my immedi-
ate surroundings. The cropping toe
touched the edge of the narrow shelf,
and drew back startled at thought of
another sheer drop into the black
depths.
My heart was still pounding when
D'Artigny found foothod beside me.
AS he swung free from the cord, his
fingers touched my dress.
"a fine test of courage that, Adele"
he whispered, "but with Francois here |
below there was small peril. Now |
what nextT
"A ticklish passage for few yards. !
Stand close until get by: now cling |
to the wall, and follow me. Once of |
this shelf we can plan our journey.
Madame, take hold of my jacket. Rene,
you have walked this path before"
"Ay, years since, but recall its
peril"
We crept forward, 30 cautiously 1t
seemed we scarcely moved, the rock
shelf we traversed so narrow In places
that could scarce find space in which
to plant my feet firmly. Suddenly we
clambered on to a fiat rock, crossed 1t,
and came to the edge of a wood, with
a murmur of water not far away. Here
Bolsrondet paused, and we came close
about him. There seemed to be more
light here, although the tree shadows
were grim, and the night rested about
us in impressive silence.
Here is where the river trail comes
down." and Boisrondet made motion
to the left. you should remember
that well, Rene"
II was 6rst to pass over it: It leads
to the water edge"
"Yes; not so easily followed In the
night, yet you are woodsman enough
to make it. So far as we know from
above the 1roquois, have not discov-
cred there Is passage here. Listen.
|
De Tonty's orders. He said that from
now on you would be safe alone. OF
course he knew nothing of madame's I
purpose"
Monsieur shall not ind me q bur {
den," interrupted.
Il am sure Of that" he said gallant I
ly, land SO think it best to return while t
the night conceals my movements. Z
There will be hot words when NJ. Cas-
sion discovers your escape, and my t
chief may need my sword beside him, q
II it comes to blows. Is my decision t
to return right, Rene2" r
"Ay, right; would that I might be b
with you. But what plan did M. de
Tonty outline for me to followT "
"Twas what I started to tell. At i
the edge of the water, but concealed 4
rom the river by rocks, is a small hut Z
where we keep hidden a canoe ready y
itted for any secret service. Twas n
Sieur de la Sales thought that 1t r
night prove of great use in time of b
'iege. No doubt it is there now, Just
Is we left 1t, undiscovered of the Iro-
luois. This will bear you down the Il
liver until daylight, when you can hide o
llong shore" =
There is a riheT' =
1.-TWO Of them. with powder and II
oall." He laid his hand on the others d
Ihoulder. There is nothing more to Il
'ay, and time Is of value. Farewell, my Il
'riend." ~
Farewell" their fingers cIasped. c,
There will be other days, Francois: Il
ny gratitude to M. de Tonty." Bois-
ondet stepped back. and, hat in hand.
DOwed to me. -
"Adieu, madame: a pleasant jour- Ie
ley" .,
"A moment, monsieur" said, a faI- =,
er in my voice. "YOu are M. OAR ~
igny's friend. an officer Of France, and o.
Catholic" a
Eyes. madame"
"And you think that am right in II
ny choice-that am doing naught un- "
worthy Of my womanhood?" n
Even in the darkness I saw him n,
make the symbol Of the cross, before cl
e bent forward and kissed my hand. Of
Madame" he said gravely, 81 am m
ut a plain soldier, with all my service v,
n the frontier. leave to the priests le
be discussion Of doctrines, and to God 90
~ punishment and reward. can -