Cheyenne record., 1917-01-25

Twill be SAFER II you keep your
word," said quietly. "for still carry
Hugo Chevet's pistol, and know how
to use 1t. Draw away from the door.
monsieur, and I will thrust out the
bag"
lowered the bar, opening the door
barely wide enough to permit the bags
passage. The light from the nre
cleaned on the barrel Of the pistol held
In my hand. It was the work of an
instant, and saw nothing OF Cassion.
but. as the door closed, he laughed
scornfully.
"'Tis your game tonight. madame"
he said spitefully. "but tomorrow
bag. as it contains my commission.
BY virtue of it shall assume COM
mand Of this Fort st. Louis, and
know how to deal with murderers.
congratulate you on your lover. ma
dame-good night"
Imust have slept from sheer exhaus-
ton. although I made no attempt to
lie down. 1t was broad daylight when
awoke, aroused by pounding on the
door. To my inquiry a voice an
nounced food, and lowered the bar.
permitting an orderly to enter, bearing
a tray, which he deposited on the table.
Without speaking. he turned to leave
the room. but l suddenly felt courage
to address him.
"You were not of our party" I said
gravely. "Are you a soldier Of NJ. de
Baugis?"
mo, madame" and he turned fac
ing me, his countenance a pleasant
one. II am not a soldier at all. but 1
serve NJ. de Tonty."
"Ah, am glad Of that You will
bear to your master a message?
perhaps, madame" his tone some
what doubtful. You are the wife of
Monsieur Casslon"
do not hesitate because of that" I
hastened to say, believing understood
his meaning. "While 1t is true I am
legally the wife of Francois Cassion.
my sympathies now are altogether
with the Sieur d'Artigny. would
have you ask NJ. de Tonty to confer
with me-"
Eyes, madame"
you have served with D'Artigny?
You know him well?"
"Three years, madame: twice he
saved my life on the great river. NJ.
de Tonty shall receive your message"
could not eat, although made the
endeavor. and finally crossed to the
window, opened the heavy wooden
shutters. and gazed without. What a
marvellous scene that was! Never be.
fore had my eyes looked upon so fair
vieI, and l stood silent and fasci.
mated. My window opened to the
westward, and gazed down from the
very edge of the vast rock into the
wide valley. Great treetops were be.
low, and had to lean far out to see
the silvery waters tapping the base
of the precipice, but, little beyond
the full width Of the noble strea m
became visible. decked with islands
and winding here and there between
green-clad banks, until 1t disappeared
In the far distance.
had neglected to bar the door. and
rs ! stood there gazing In breathless
fascina ton, sudden step on the floor
caused me to turn in alarm. My eyes
encountered those Of De Tonty. who
stood hat In hand.
"'Tis a fair vlew madame" he said
politely. ''In all my travels l have
seen no nobler domain"
ut hath peaceful look" an.
swered, still struggling with the mem
ory. "Can 1t be true the savages hold
the valley?"
"All too true-see. yonder. where the
smoke still shows dwelt the Kaskas
les of their dead strew the ground
Along those meadows three week.
since there were the happy villages O.
twelve tribes OF peaceful Indians; to
day those who yet live are fleeing To-
their lives"
"And this tort. monsieurT'
safe enough. think. although NJ
one of us can venture ten yards be
yond the gate. The Rock protects us
madame. yet we are greatly outnum
bered, and with no ammunition t,
waste Twas the surprise of the rait
which left us thus helpless. Could w
have been given time to gather ou
friendly Indians together, the stor.
would be different"
"They are not towards. then"
mot with proper leadership. W.
have seen them fight often since WI
invaded this land. 'Tis my though
many of them are hiding now beyont
those hills. and may find some way t.
reach us. I suspected such an effor
last night. when I sent out the rescu'
party which brought you in. All. tina
reminds me, madame; you sent 70
me?'
"Yes, NJ. de Tonty. I can speak t.
you frankly? You are the friend o
Sieur d'Artigny"