The state herald., 1917-01-19
CHAPTER xxI-csnslnusd.

PethApo No word Wou0 Do gwen me-
the escape might already b accom-
piishsd, and I left here 10 my fate.
Boisrondst know nothing Of my dsci.
sion b accompany D'Artisny In his
exile. II the way was dimeult and
dangerous, he might not consider It
essential to communicate with me at
all. De Tonty had promised, to b
sure, yet he might have failed to 20
instruct the younger man. I clunE to
the window, the agony Of this posi-.
bility driving me wild.
Mon Dieul was that 4 noise over
headf I could see nothing, yet, a
leaned farther out q cord touched my
face. I grasped II, and drew the dan
Cling end In. II was weighted with q
bit of wood. A single coal glowed in
the fireplace. and from this / ignited
n splinter. barely yielding me light
enough to decipher the few words
traced on the white surface: "Safe 80
far; have you any wordT
Ny veins throbbed; could have
screamed In delight, or sobbed in sud
den joy and relief. I fairly crept to
the open window on hands and knees,
animated now with but one thought.
one hope-the desire not to b left
there behind, alone. hung far out,
my face uptuned, staring into the
darknesa The distance was not great.
only . few feet to the roof above. yet
20 black was the night that the edge
above me blended imperceptibly
against the SKY. could perceive no
movement, NO outline. Gould they
have already gonsf Was II possible
that they merely dropped this brief
message, and instantly vanishedf No.
the cord still dangied; somewhere In
that dense gloom the two men pesrsd
over the roof edge, waiting my ~
sponse.
"Monsieur." I called up softly, un-
able to restrain my eagerness.
"Yes, madame" It was D'Arusny's
voice. although . mere whisper. you
have some word for msr'
"Ay, listen; Il there any way BY
which ! can Join your
"Join me-herer' astonIshment 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 Boisrondct, IL
there a wayr
] heard them speak to each other.
a mere murmur Of sound; then another
voice reached my ears clearly.
I'VE have 4 strong grass rope. ma
dame. which will safely bear your
weight. The risk will not be great.
I have made q moose, and will lower
It"
l reached It with my hand. but felt
a doubt ~ my fingers clasped II.
"'1is 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 II above"
, The memory Of the depth below
frightened me. yet crept forth on the
narrow silt. elinging desperately to the
taut rope. until ! felt my foot safely
pressed into the moose. which frightened
firmly about II.
Now I said, barely able to make
my lips speak. ~ am ready"
Then swing clear. madame; we'll
hold you safs."
doubt II Il was q full minute In
which swung out over that gulf amid
the black night. Ny heart seemed to
stop bearing. and I retained no sense
other than to cling desperately to the
swayiA9 cord which alone held ne
from being dashed to death on the Jag
ged rocks below. Inch BY inch they
drew me up. the continuous jerks
Welding . sickening alton. but the
distance was 70 short could scarcely
realize the full danger, before DAT
tirny grasped me with his hands. and
drew me In beside him on the roof
] stood upou my fest. trembling from
excitement. yet encouraged In my pur-
pose By his art words Of welcome.
Adele" he exclaimed. forsetful Of
the presence Of his comrsde. surely
w. ~ NsVuh Chubo tor yuiutuk W
here"
"A0 welcome, monsisarr'
''Can ys1 doubt1 Yet surely II was
not merely 10 say farewell that ysu
assumed sucA rtAkr'
NE. monsieur. II was not to say
farewell. wsuh aecon pany you II
your aight. Do not start like that
at ny words; cannot 80 your face
perhaps n ! could ! should lose cour-
age. ! have made ny cAeice. men.
sieur. ! will not rsnain The slave Of
N. Cassioa. Whether for gsod Or evii.
! give you ny faith."
"You-you," his hands grasped mine.
"you mean yen will 70 with NJ into
exile. into the woodsr'
YES. monsieur"
But DO yeu rsaliss what Il all
mssnaf an Q fugitive. . hunted
man; never again can I vsnt-s with
In French civilizatsa. must tivs
nmcnr savaEes. No. ~, Adele, the