The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1917-01-19

death was part cf a carefully formed
plot. by accident the lady here
learned Of the conspiracy, through
~overhearing a conversation but wa
discovered by La Barre hiding behind
the curtains of his Office. To keep
her quiet she was forced into mur-
rage with Francois Cassion, and bid
den to accompany him on this journey
to Fort st. LOUIS
II see" commented Rarbeau
shrewdly. "Such marriage would place
the property in their control by law.
Had Cdssion sought marriage previ-
ously?'
lis eyes were upon me as he asked
the question. and l answered him
frankly
He visited often at the home OF
my uncle. Hugo Chevet. and. while
he never spoke to me directly Of mar
rage. was told he desired me for
MS wife. and at the palace he so pre-
sented me to Monsieur la Barre"
On pledge Of Chevet, no doubt.
Your uncle knew Of your fortune"
No; he supposed me pcnniless; he
thought 1t a great honor lone me by
the favorite of the governors. Twas
my belief be expected some reward
for pe~rsuading me to accept the offer"
And this Chevet-what became Of
him?'
He accompanied us on the journey,
also upon order Of Monsieur la Barre,
who. no doubt. thought he would be
safer In h wilderness thar in Que
bee. He was murdered at st. Ignace."
"Murdered?"
"Ay, struck down from behind with
a knife. No one knows who did 1t.
but Cassion has charged the crime
against Sieur d'.Artignv. and circum-
stances are such he Will find it diff
cult to prove his innocence"
The soldier stood silent. evidently
reviewing In his mind all that had
been told him. his eyes narrowed into
Sits as he gazed thoughtfully at US
both.
"Bahr he exclaimed at last. "the
riddle Is not so hard to read. al
though, no doubt. the trick has been
well played. I know Governor In
Barre. and this Francois Cassion. for
I have served under both, while Mon
sicur Ia Chesnayne was my captain
and friend. May | tell you what. In
my Judgment, seems best for you to
do?"
! glanced at D'.Artigny. and his
eyes gave me u &c.
0Hfnpctarr ~ n Eror,l, al
der" l answered. IAN educated
also. and my fathers friend. will
listen gladly"
His eyes smiled. and he swept the
earth with his cap.
Then my plan is this-leave Mon
sieur Cassion to go his way. and let
me be your guide southwark. I know
the trails, and the Journey Is not diff
cult. Nj. de Ia Durantaye Is camped
at the portage Of the Des PLANES.
having but a handful OF men. to be
sure. yet he Is a gallant officer. and no
enemy to La Sale. although he serve
the governor. He will see justice
done. and give you both safe convoy to
Fort st. Louis. where De Tonty knows
how to protect his officers. Faith! I
would like to see Francois Cassion try
to browbeat that one-armed Italian
'twould be one time he would meet
his match"
D'Artigny laughed.
"Ay. you are right there. my friend.
have felt the iron hook, and wit
messed how he wins his way with
white and red. Yet he Is no longer in
command At Fort st. Louis: l bring
him orders now from Sieur de la
Sale bidding him not to interfere
with the governors !~ieutenants. IT'S
the Chevalier de Baugis with whom
we must reckon"
"True. he has control. and men
enough. with Cassion's party. to en-
force his order. And he is a hot-head.
conceited. and holding himself a bit
better than others. because he bears
commission in the Kings Dragons.
TITS said that he and De Tonty have
had many a stiff quarrel since he
came: but he dare not 90 too far.
There are good men there ready to
draw sword II it eve come to blows
De Tonty, Boisrondet. L'Espirance.
De Marie, and the Algonquins camped
on the plain below. They would be
tigers If the italian spoke the word.
while I doubt not NJ. de la Durantaye
would throw his influence Oh the side
OF mercy: be has small love for the
captain OF Dragons"
spoke quickly. and before D'Ar-
tigny could voice decision.
"We will accept ycur guidance.
monsieur. 1t is the best choice, and
now the only one for the time is past
when we can expect tie return OF
the canoes. Can we not at once begin
the ~journey?"
It was an hour later. after we had
eaten. that we left the bluff. and
turned westward into the great woods.
Barbeau led the way. moving along
the bank Of a small stream. and l
followed. with D'Artigny close be-
hind. AS we had nothing to carry,
except the soldiers rifle and blanket,