The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1917-04-19

49, $500 - 1850 1880
must De the water We sought. ! sank
10 the ground, eager for a moments
rest, but D'Artigny, t~ireless still, NOV.
ed back and forward along the edge of
the forest TO assure himself OF the
safety of u surroundings. Barbeau
joined him, and questioned.
I'VE have reached the trail?"
"Ay, beside the shore yonder; see
you anything OF Indian tepees across
the stream 10 the leftY'
Below, there are wigwams there
just In the edge OF the grove. You
can see the outlines from here; but
/ make out no moving figures"
Deserted then; the towards have
run away. They could not have been
attacked, or the tepees would have
been burned"
IAN Algonquin village"
"Miamis. | had hoped we might
gain assistance there, but they have
either Joined the whites in the fort.
or are hiding In the woods. IT'S EVIL
lent we must ave ourselves"
"And how far is itf'
ITO the fort? A league or two, and
a rough climb at the farther end
through the dark. We will wait here
until after dusk. eat such food as we
have without fire, and rest up for a
bit Of venture. The next trip will
test us all, and madame is weary
enough already"
"An hour will put me right" I said,
smiling athim, yet making no attempt
10 rise. II have been in a boat so
long I have lost all strength in my
limbs"
I'VE feel that. all Of us" cheerily,
but come, Barheau. unpack, and let
US have what cheer we can"
know not when food was ever
more welcome, although IL was simple
enough 10 be sure-a bit Of hard
cracker. and some jerked deer meat.
washed down BY water from the
stream-yet hunger served 70 make
these welcome. The loneliness and
peril OF our situation had tendency 70
keep Us silent. although D'Artigny en-
deavored 10 cheer me with kindly
speech. and gave Barbeau careful de-
scrptiOn Of the trail leading to the
fort gate. II aught happened 70 him.
we were 10 press IN until we attained
shelter. The way in which the words
were said brought a lump into my
throat. and before | knew the signif-
n OF the action, my hand clasped
his. felt the grip OF his fingers. and
saw his face turn toward me in the
dusk. Barteau got 20 his feet, gun
in hand. and stood shading his eyes.
II would like a closer view OF that
village yonder." he said. 'and will go
down the bank a hundred yards or
So"
twill DO nc HARM" returned
D'Artigny. still clasping my hand.
There IL time yet before we make
our venture"
BE disappeared In the shadows,
leaving us alone. and I glanced aside
AT D'Artigny's face. my heart beating
fercely.
"You did not like 10 hear me speak
as ] did," he questioned quietly.
"No." I answered honestly, "the
thought startled me. Tiff anything
happened to you, IL should be all
alone"
He bent lower, still grasping my
fingers. and seeking to compel my eyes
TO meet his.
adele" he whispered. "why IL Il
necessary for us to keep up this mas
q~uerader"
what masquerade, monsieur"
'.This p~retense at mere friendship"
he insisted, "when we could serve
each other better by a frank confess
sion OF the truth. You love me"
Monsieur" and I tried to draw nay
hand away. II am the wife Of Fran
co.'s Cassion."
81 care nothing for that unhoiy al
lance. You are his only by form.
DO you know what that marriage has
cost me? Insults, ever since we left
Quebec. The coward knew I dare not
lay hand upon him, because he was
your husband. We would have crossed
steel a hundred times but for my
memory Of you. could not kill the
cur. for 10 DO 10 would separate Us
forever. 10 ] bore his taunts. bis re-
vflings, his curses. his orders that
were insults. You think n wss easyf
I am a woodsmsn, 4 lieutenant Of La
Baiie. and II has ~ b@fore been
my way 10 receive insult without q
blow. We SIRE not VI ttist breed. Yet
! bore II for your sake-wbyf Be-
cause ! loved you
"0h, monsieur
"'Tm naught TO the shame Of either
pf u.s." he continued, now speaking
with q caimDess which held nae silent.
sAnd ] wish you 10 know the truth,
70 far o. I can make II clear. THIS
bas been 10 my mind for weeks. and
I ~ II to you nov a. solsmniy %
though ] knelt before . father confess
sor. You have been 10 me Z memory
Of inspiration ever since w nrgt INST