Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1916-08-10
CHAPTER XIV.
We EXCHANGE Condolences.

look into his face, YET l hau a SENSE
that he was actually glad to hear my
words. There was no anger, rather
happiness and relief in the gray eyes.
"And you actually believed struck
the blow? You thought ME capable
of driving a knife into the mans back
to gain revenge"
Monsieur, what could l think" l
urged eagerly. ut did not seem pos
sible, yet | saw you with my own
eyes. You knew of the murder, but
you made no report, raised no alarm,
and in the morning your boat was
gone before the body was found by
Others"
True, yet there was a reason which
l can confess to you. You also dis
covered the body that night, yet
aroused no alarm. l saw you. Why
did you remain silent? Was 1t to
protect me from Suspicion
l bent my head, but failed to find
words with which to answer. D'Arti-
gny scarcely permitted me time.
''That is the truth; your silence tells
me it was for my sake you remained
still. Is it not possible, Adele, that
my purpose was the same? Listen to
me, my girl, and have faith in my
words-I I'm not guilty Of Hugo Che
vets death. l did not like the man,
it is true, and we exchanged words in
anger while loading the boats, but l
never gave the matter second thought.
That was not the first night Of this
journey that l sought to assure my
self of your safety"
Il know Monsieur Cassion and OF
what he is capable, and felt that
some time there would occur between
you a ~struggle-so at every camping
place, where it was possible, | have
watched. 1t was for that purpose ]
approached the Mission house. ]
gained glimpse within, and saw Cas-
sion asleep on a bench, and knew you
had retired to the chamber above.
was satisfied, and started to return
to the camp. On my way back ]
found Chevets body at the edge OF
the wood. l discovered how he had
been killed Ia knife thrust in the
back"
But you made no report; raised nj
alarm"
Il was confused, unable to decide
what was best for me to do. / had M
business being there. My first i'm
pulse was to arouse the Mission house
my second to return to camp and tel
the men there. With this last pur
pose in view l entered the wood II
descend the hill, but had hardly don
so when l caught sight of you in tn,
moonlight, and remained there hidden
watching your movements with hor
ror. / saw you go straight to tn
body, assure yourself the man wa
dead; then return to the Mission h0us
and enter your o by way of tn
kitchen roof. Do you realize wha
your actions naturally meant to me?
l stared at him, scarcely able t
, speak, yet in some way my lip
formed words.
"You-you thought 1 did it"
"What else could l think? Yo
= were hiding there; you examined tn
, body; you crept secretly in throug
: the window and gave no alarm"
The horror of it all struck me liB
a blow, and I covered my eyes wit
4 my hands, no longer able to restrai
j my sobs. D'Artigny caught my hand
j and uncovered my face.
"Do not break down, little girl"
l entreated. at is better so, for no
|, we understand each other. You sougl
q to shield me-, and I ~endeavored to pr
d tect you. Twas a strange misunde
Y standing, and, but for the accident
the canoe, might have had a trag
n ending"
n "You would never have toldY
e "Of seeing you there? Of suspectir
you? Could you think that possible
"But you would have been co
demned; the evidence was all again
g you"
u "Let us not talk Of that now"
y insisted. 1--WE have come back to
faith In each other. You believe n
It wordT'
If eyes"
= "And l yours"
II His handclasp frightened, and the
t, was that in his eyes which brighten
re me.
"No, no, monsieur" | exclaimed a.
drew back quickly. "Do not say mo
,r for I am here with you alone, a
there will be trouble enough VIII
Cassion returns"
st "Do / not know that?' he said, J
releasing my hands. "still it can SUI
lie ly do no harm for US to understa
each other. You care nothing I
Cassion; YOU dislike, despise the ms
st and there Is naught sacred in yo
as marriage. We are In the wllderne
q. not Quebec, and La Barre has lit
e, authority here. You have protect
IS me with your silence-was 1t not
ne cause you cared for mei
he Eyes, monsieur; you have been
nd friend"
at "Your friendl Is that ailT
ng els that not enough, monsieur
ou like you well; | would ave you fr