Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1916-06-30

| La Sale rested there over night, and
young D'Artigny was of the party.
He was but boy then"
''He came here today to see your"
"No, never" I protested. 81 doubt
| if he even had the memory of me until
I told him who I was. Surely he eX-
| planned clearly why he came"
He eyed mo fiercely, his face full Of
suspicion, his great hand gripping the
knife
"'Tis well for you if that be true"
he said gruffly, "but I have no faith
in the lads words. He is here as La
Sales spy, and so l told Cassion,
though the only honor he did me was
to laugh at my warning. Let him
spy he said, and l will play at the
same game; it's little enough he will
| learn, and we shall need his guidance
Ay! and he may be right, but 1 want
nothing to do with the fellow Cas-
sion may give him place in his boats,
if he will, but never again shall he set
foot on my land, nor have speech with
you. You mark my words, made
moiselle?'
I felt the color fame into my cheeks,
and knew my eyes darkened with an
ger, yet made effort to control my
speech.
eyes, monsieur; am your ward and
have always been obedient, yet this
Sieur d'Artigny seems a pleasant
spoken young man, and surely it's no
crime that he serves the Sieur de Ia
Salle.''
SIS it notr' he burst forth, striking
the table with his fist. Know you
not l would be rich but for that fur
stealer. By right those should be my
furs he sends here in trade There will
be another tale to tell soon, now that
La Barre hath the reins Of power; and
this D'Artigny-bah! What care I
for that young cockerel-but hate the
brood. Listen, girl, | pay my debts;
1t was this hand that broke Louis
d'Artigny, and has kept him to his bed
for ten years past. Yet even that does
not wipe out the score between us.
IT'S no odds to you what was the
cause, but while l live hate. SO you
have my orders; you will speak no
more with this D'Artigny."
Yes, monsieur"
ooh, you're sweet enough with
words. l have heard you before, and
found you a sly minx-when my back
was turned-but this time it is not I
alone who will watch your actions,
have pledged you a husband"
| got to my feet, staring at him, the
indignant words stifled in my throat.
He laughed coarsely, and resumed his
meal.
"a husband, monsieur? You have
/ pledged me?'
cay! why not? You are II, and it's
my place to see you we'll settled"
"But have no wish to marry, mon
sieur," l protested. "There is no man
for whom I care"
He shrugged his shoulders indiffer-
emily, and laughed.
pooh! if waited for that no doubt
| you would pick out some cOckerel
without as much as a spur to his heel.
| IT'S my choice, not yours, for l know
the world, and the man you need.
| Monsieur Cassion has asked me to ia
vOr him, and l think we'll of it."
"Cassion! Surely you would not wed
me to that creature?"
He pushed back his chair, regarding
me with scowling eyes.
"And where is there a better? Sacte!
do you think yourself a queen to
choose? IT'S rare luck you have such
an offer. Monsieur Cassion is going
| to be a great man in this New France;
| already he has the governors ear, and
commission, with tidy sum to his
credit in Quebec. What more could
! any girl desire in husband?'
But, monsieur, [ do not love him:
do not trust the man"
"PahH' He burst into a laugh, ris-
ing from the table. Before I could
draw back he had gripped me by the
arm. Enough Of that young LADY,
He is my choice, and that settles 1t.
Love! who ever heard OF love new
adays? All, I see, you dream already
of the young gallant D'Artigny. Well,
little good that will do you. Why what
is he? mere ragged adventurer,
without sou to his name, prowling
wolf of the forest, the follower Of
| discredited fur thief. But enough Of
this; have told you my will, and you
obey. Tomorrow we go to Quebec to
| the governors ball, and when Mon
| I1707 ===@.zl