Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1917-01-05
CHAPTER xxl-contInued.

the escape might already be accom-
pllshed, and l left here to my fate.
Bolsrondet knew nothing of my deci-
sion to accompany D'Artigny In his
exile. II the way was difficult and
dangerous. he might not consider 1t
essential to communicate with me at
all. De Tonty had promised, to be
sure. yet he might have failed to SO
instruct the younger man. l chung to
the window, the agony of this posi-
bitty driving me wild.
Mon Dieu! was that noise over
head? could see nothing, yet, as
leaned farther out, cord touched my
face. l grasped 1t, and drew the dan
Cling end In. 1t was weighted with
bit of wood. A single coal glowed in
the fireplace, and from thi5 l ignlted
a splinter, barely yielding me light
enough to decipher the few words
traced on the white surface: "Safe so
far; have you any word?"
My veins throbbed; I could have
screamed In delight, or sobbed in sud-
den joy and relief. 1 fairly crept to
the open window on hands and knees,
animated now with but one thought
one hope-the desire not to be left
there behind, alone. hung far out,
my face upturned, staring into the
darkness. The distance was not great.
only a few feet to the roof above, yet
so black was the night that the edge
above NE blended imperceptibly
against the sky. l could perceive no
movement, no outline. Could they
have already gone? Was it possible
that they merely dropped this brief
message, and instantly vanished? No.
the cord still dangled; somewhere in
that dense gloom the two men peered
over the roof edge, waiting my re-
Spouse.
Monsieur" l called up softly, I'M
able to restrain my eagerness.
Yes, madame" it was D'Artigny's
voice, although mere whisper you
have some word for me?"
"Ay, listen; is there any way by
which l can join your"
Join me-here?' establishment at
my request made him incoherent.
"Why, madame, the risk is great"
Never mind that; my reason is wor-
thy, nor have we time now to discuss
the matter. Monsieur Boisrondet, is
there wayf"
l heard them speak to each other,
a mers murmur of sound; then another
voice reached my ears clearly.
ho rn GRO
dame. which will safely bear your
weight. The risk will not be great.
have made a moose, and will lower
it."
reached it with my hand, but felt
a doubt as my fingers clasped 1t.
"'Tis very small. monsieur"
"But strong enough for double your
weight, as twas Indian woven. Put
foot In the moose, and hold tight.
There are two of us holding it above"
The memory of the depth below
frightened me. yet crept forth on the
narrow sill, clinging desperately to the
taut rope, until l felt my foot safely
pressed into the moose, which frightened
firmly about it.
"Now," said, barely able to make
my lips speak. II am ready"
''Then swing clear, madame; we'll
hold you SAFE"
doubt II 1t was q full minute In
which swung out over that gulf amid
the black night. My heart seemed to
stop beating, and l retained no sense
other than to cling desperately to the
swaying cord which alone held me
from being dashed to death on the Jag
ged rocks below. Inch by inch they
drew me up, the continuous jerks
yielding a sickening sensation, but the
distance was so short / could scarcely
realize the full danger, before DAT
tigny grasped me with his hands, and
drew me in beside him on the roof.
! stood upon my feet, trembling from
excitement, yet encouraged in my pur-
pose by his first words of welcome.
adele" he exclaimed, forgetful of
the presence of his comrade. Surely
you had serious cause for joining us
here"
"Am l welcome, MONSIEUR
Cdu you uOuDt! let surely IL was
not merely to say farewell that you
assumed such risk?
"No, monsieur, it was not to say
farewell. would accompany you in
your flight. Do not start like that
at my words; cannot see your face
perhaps If I could l should lose cour-
age. have made my choice, mon
sleur. l will not remain the slave of
NJ. Cassion. Whether for good or evil,
/ give you my faith"
"You-you," his hands grasped mine.
"You mean you will go with me into
exile. into the woods?"
Eyes, monsieur"
"But do you realize what it all
means? / am fugitive, a hunted
man: never again can I venture with
in French civilization. / must live
among savages. No, no, Adele, the
sacrifice is too great. cannot accept
Of