The state herald., 1917-01-05

S~AA fNsSpyp AoA StAu SaAky
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 fire
CLEANED on the barrel Of the pistol held
In my hand. II 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 I
play my hand. I thank you for the
bag, as 1t contains my commission.
BY virtue of It shnll assume com.
mand of this Fort St. Louis. and I
know how to deal with murderers.
congratulate you on your lover, ma
daine-good night"
must have slept from sheer exhaus-
ton, although I made no attempt to
lie down. 1t was broad daylight when
l awoke. aroused by pounding ON the
door. To my inquiry a voice an.
nounced food, and I lowered the bar.
permitting an orderly to enter. bearing
tray, which he deposited on the table.
Without speaking. he turned to leave
the room, but suddenly felt courage
to address him.
''You were not Of our party" said
gravely. Are you a soldier of NJ. de
Baugisf"
mo. madame" and he turned fac
ing me, his countenancc a pleasant
one. II am not a soldier at all. but
serve N. de Tonty."
"Ah, I am glad of that You will
bear TO your master a messageY"
perhaps. madame" his tone some
what doubtful. you are the wife of
Monsieur CassionT'
"Do not hesitate because Of that" I
hastened to say, believing understood
his meaning. "while II is true I am
legally the wife Of Francois Cassion,
my sympathies now are altogether
with the SIeur d'Artigny. would
have you ask N. de Tonty to confer
with me-"
Eyes. madame"
''You have served with D'Artigny?
You know him wellT
Three years, madame; twice he
saved my life on the great river.
de T6A{y s6an receive your message. =
I could not eat, although I made the
endeavor. and finally crossed to the
window. opened the heavy wooden
shutters, and gaxed without. What a
marvellous scene that was! Never BE-
fore had my eyes looked upon 10 fair
q view. and l stood silent and fasci.
mated Ny window opened to the
westward. and I gaxed down from the
very edge Of the vast rock Into the
wide valley. Great treetops were be-
low. and I had to lean far out to see
the siivery waters tapping the base
Of the precipice. but. q little beyond,
the full width Of tho noble stream
became visible. decked with islands,
and winding hero and there between
green-ciad banks. until II disappeared
In the far distance.
I had neglected to bar the door, and
A. ! stood there gazing In breathiess
fascination. sudden step on the door
caused me to turn In alarm. Ny eyes
encountered those Of Dc Tonty, who
stood hat In hand.
ATS . fair view. madame" he said
politely. ''In all my travels l have
seen NO nobler domain"
ut hath a peaceful look" an.
swered, still struggling with tho mem.
ory. "Can It be true the savages hold
the valleyr'
"Ali too true-see. yondcr. where the
smoke still shows. dweit the Kaskan.
kias. Not lodge Ia left. and the bod.
les Of their dead strew the ground.
Along those meadows three weeks
since there were the happy villages Of
twelve tribes Of peaceful Indians; to.
day those who yet live are fleeing for
their lives"
"And this tort. monsieur7"s
safe enough. I think. although no
one Of US can venture ten yards be.
yohu tuc kuhC. Ahc tboCk DTOtfCtH uA,
madame, yet we nre greatly outnum.
bcrcd. and with no ammunition 10
waste. TWINS tho surprise Of the raid
which left Us thus helpless. Could we
have been given time to gather our
friendly Indians together. the story
would be different"
"They arc not towards. thenf'
mot with proper leadership. We
have seen them Hght often since We
Invaded this lard. 'Tis my thought
many Of them nre hiding now beyond
those hills. and may ind some way to
rench US. I suspected such nm effort
last night. when sent out the rescue
pnrty which brought you In, An. that
reminds me. madame: you sent for
meT
"Ycs. N. de Tonty. I can spcnk TO
you frankiy7 You nre tho friend Of
sieur d'Artigny"
Faith, hope am. madame. but
I know not what hns got into the lad
he will tell me nothing