The state herald., 1917-01-19

y. - a 10 make NO noise; make q
moose for the lady's foot, and lower her
with care. You have the strensthr'
"Ay. foe twies her weight"
"Good: there win bs nausht to fear,
madame. for viii Be below to aid
your footing. When I give he signal
again Rene win descend and join IN. I"
The rope b 10 be left danglIng7'
"Only until return. Once leave
You safe beyond the Iroquois, tbs my
part to climb this rope again. Some
task that" cheerfully, yet De Tonty
deems It best that no evidence connect
Us with this escape. What make you
the hour?"
Between one and two"
(which win give me time before
day dawn; SO here. chance It."
He swung himself over the edge, and
slipped silently down Into the black
mystery. We leaned over to watch.
but could see nothing, our only evi-
dence Of his progress the jerking of the
cord. DArtigny's hand closed on mine.
Dear" he whispered tenderly. I'VE
are alone now-you are sorryr
II am happier than have ever been
in my life," I answered honestly. "T
have done what I believe to be right.
and trust God. All I care to know now
is that You love me-"
with every throb Of my heart"
he said solemnly. "It is my love which
makes me dread lest you regret"
THAT will never be, monsieur; I
am Of the frontier, and do not fear the
woods. All! he has reached the rock
safely-'tis the signal"
DArtgny drew up the cord, testing
Il to make sure the strands held firm,
and made careful moose. into which he
slipped my foot
"Now, Adele. you are readyr
"Yes. sweetheart: kiss mo nrst"
~You have NO fearr'
! mot with your strong hands to sup
port. but do not keep me waiting long
below"
Ay. but was frightened a. swung
or Into the black void. cllnging des-
perately to that slight rope. steadily
sinking downward. Ny body rubbed
against the rough logs, and then
against rock. Once a Jagged edge
wounded me. yet dare not release my
grip. or utter q sound. I sank down.
down. the strain ever greater on my
nerves. retained no knowledge Of
distance. but grew apprebenslve of
what awaited me below. Would the
rope reach to the rockf Would I swing
clear? Even as these thoughts began
TO horrify. l felt a hand grip me. and
Boisrondet'a whisper gave cheerful
greeting.
at is all right, madame; release your
foot. and trust me. Good. now do not
venture to move. until Rene joins us.
Faith. he wastes little time; he is COM
ing now"
could see nothing. not even the
outlines Of my companion. who stood
holding the cord taut I could feel the
Jagged face Of the rock. against which
I stood. and ventured. by reaching out
with one foot. to explore my immedi-
ate surroundings. The cropping toe
touched the edge OF the narrow shelf.
and I drew back startled at thought Of
another sheer drop into the black
depths.
My heart was still pounding when
D'Artigny found foothold beside me.
As he swung free from the cord. his
fingers touched my dress.
"a fine test Of courage that. Adele"
he whispered. "but with Francois here
below there was small peril. Now
what nextf"
"A ticklish passage for . few yards.
Stand close until I get by; now cling
to the wall, and follow me. Once OF
this shelf we can plan our journey.
Madame. take hold Of my Jacket. Rene.
you have walked this path before"
"Ay. years since. but recall Its
peril"
We crcpt forward. so cautiously II
seemed We scarcely moved. the rock
shelf We traversed NO narrow in places
that could scarce Ind space In which
to plant my feet firmly. Suddenly We
ciambered on to q nat rock. crossed II,
and came to the edge Of wood. with
q murmur Of water not far away. Hero
Boisrondct paused. and we came cloes
about him. There seemed to be mors
light here. although the tree shadowa
were grim. and the night rested about
% in impressive silence.
"Here Ia where the river tnii comsa
down." and Boisrondet made motion
to the left. you should remember
that well. Rene"
II was nrst to pass ever II; II ieadl
10 the water edge"
"Yes: not 20 easily followed In ths
night, yet you are woodsman enough
to make II. 30 far a. We know from
absvs the lroquoia. have not Aiscov
cred there Ia q passage here. IAsten
Reas: leave ysu BOW. for those wert
Dc Touty's orders. He said that from
now % you would b. safe alone. Oi
Il rsaupua ha kUn- wnAAl~s aS ~~aA.->sx