The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1917-03-15
Where the swift current bore back
across the river.

across the river.
Leaning far out, grasping a branch
to keep from falling, l distinguished
the m at the upper landing. and the
Indians busily preparing camp. At
first ] saw nothing Of any white man.
but was gazing still when D'Artigny
emerged from some shadow and
stepped down beside the boat. l know
not what instinct prompted him to
turn and look up intently at the bluff
towering above. l scarcely compre-
hended either what swift impulse led
me to undo the neckerchief at my
throat and hold it forth in signal. An
instant he stared upward, shading his
eyes with one hand.
I must have seemed a vision cling
ing there against the sky, yet all at
once the truth burst upon him. and,
with a wave Of the arm. he sprang
up the low bank and Joined his In
dams. I could not hear what he said,
but with a single word he left them
and disappeared among the trees at
the foot OF the bluff.
He must have scrambled straight up
the steep face of the bluff. for 1t could
have been scarcely more than a min
ute when l heard him c%runching a pas
sage through the bushes, and then
saw him emerge above the edge. Cling
ing to a tree limb, his eyes sought
eagerly to locate me, and when /
stepped forward, he sprang erect and
bowed, jerking his hat from his head.
There was about his action the en-
with an eagerness and delight which
instantly broke down every barrier
between us.
"You waved to me?" he exclaimed.
you wished me to Gomez
yes" 1 confessed, swept from my
guard by his enthusiasm. II have
been anxious to confer with you, and
this is my first opportunity"
why ! thought you avoided me-"
he burst forth. at is because I felt
SO that l have kept away"
There was nothing else l could do
but pretend" l exclaimed, gaining
control over my voice as l spoke. MY
every movement has been watched
since we left Quebec; this Is the first
moment l have been left al0ne-if,
indeed, l am now" And l glanced
about doubtfully into the shadows OF
the forest.
you imagine you may have been
followed here? BY whom? Cassion? p
by himself or some emissary. Pere
Allouez has been my jailer, but
chances to be disabled at present. The
commissaire permitted me to climb
here alone, believing you to be safely
camped above the rapids, yet his sus-
picions may easily revive"
Ellis suspicions!" the sieur laughed
softly. $50 that then is the trouble?
1t is to keep us apart that he bids me
make separate camp each night; and
assigns me to every post Of peril. |
feel the honor, mademoiselle, yet why
am l especially singled out for SO
great a distinctions"
HE suspects us Of being friends,
He knew / conferred with you at the
convent, and even believes that you
were with me hidden behind the cur
tain In the governors office"
yet If all that be true" he ques-
toned, his voice evidencing his sur
prise. "Why should our friendship
arouse his antagonism to such an e
.-xlp O--a -, al xpl,nt xpt ~, n
| have committed, mademoiselle. 1t
Is all mystery, even why you should
be here with us on this long journey
Surely you had no such thought when
we parted last?"
"You do not know what has oc-
curred?" asked, in establishment. mo
one has told your"
"Told me! How? / have scarcely
held speech with anyone but the AL
gonquin chief since we took to the
water. Cassion has but given orders,
and Chevet Is mum as an oyster.
endeavored to find you in Montreal,
but you We're safely locked behind
gray walls. That something was wrong
I fert convinced. yet what it might be
no one would tell me. | tried dues
tioning the pere, but he only shooh
his head and left me unanswered
Tell me then, mauemoiselle, by wha,
right does this Cassion hold you as
captive?'
My lips trembled. and my eyes fell
vel | must answer.
"He is my husband, monsieur"
I caught glimpse Of his face, pic
turing surprise, incredulity. tie drew
q sharp breath and l noted his hand
close tightly on the hllt Of his knife
Your husband! that cur! Surely
you do not jest?"
would that I did" I exclaimed
losing all control in sudden wav Of
anger. "No, monsieur, it Is true"
And l told him swiftly the story q
my enforced marriage.
"And Hugo Chevet. your uncle? DID
he remain silent? make no p~rotest?'
he asked.
l gave a gesture Of despair.
He, Never did he even conceive
what occurred, until l told him latel
/.