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Show I BEYOND yfeffiONllED A. STORY OF EARLY DA JryRANDAIi, )MC, " Tis well madame does not over- I I hear that confession. An heiress, and beautiful: Fiff! but she might dud others to her liking rather than this Cassion." "It is small chance she has had to make choice, and as to her being an heiress, where heard you such a rumor. ru-mor. Colonel Delguard?" The othcer straightened up. '"You forget, sir." he said slowly, "that the papers passed through my hands after Captain la Chesuayue's death. It was at your request they failed to reach the hands of Fronte-nac." Fronte-nac." I. a Barre gazed at biin across the desk, his brows contracted into a frown. "No. I had not forgotten." and the words sounded harsb. "But they came to nie properly sealed, and I supposed unopened. I think I have some reason to ask an explanation, monsieur." "And one easily made. I saw only the letter, but that revealed enough, to permit of' my guessing the rest. It is true, is it not, that La Chesuayne left an estate of value?" "lie thought so. but. as you must be aware, it had been alienated by act of treason." "Ay! but Comte de Frontenac appealed ap-pealed the case to the king, who granted grant-ed pardon and restoration." "So, 'twas rumored, but unsupported unsupport-ed by the records. So far as New "I Thrust D'Artigny Back Behind Me And Held Aside the Drapery." France knows there was no reply from Versailles." The colonel stood erect and advanced a step, his expression one of sudden curiosity. "In faith, governor," he said swiftly, "but your statement awakens wonder. If this be so why does Francois Cas-slon Cas-slon seek the maid so ardently? Never did I deem that cavalier one to throw himself away without due reward." La Barre laughed. 'Terchance you do Francois 111 judgment, judg-ment, Monsieur le Colonel," he replied amused. "No doubt 'tis love, for, in truth, the witch would send sluggish blood dancing with the glance of her eyes. Still," more soberly, his eyes falling to the desk, " 'tis, as you say, scarce in accord with Cassion's nature na-ture to thus make sacrifice, and there have been times when I suspected he did some secret purpose. I use the man, yet never trust him." "Nor I, since he played me foul trick at La Chine. Could he have found the paper of restoration, and kept it concealed, until all was in his hands?" "I have thought of that, yet it doth not appear possible. Francois was in ill grace with Frontenac, and could never have reached the archives. If the paper came to his hands it was by accident, or through some treachery. treach-ery. Well, 'tis small use of our discussing dis-cussing the matter. He hath won my pledge to Mademoiselle la Chesnayne's hand, for I would have him friend, not enemy, just now. They marry on his return." "He Is chosen then for the mission to Fort St. Louis?" "Ay. there were reasons for his selection. se-lection. The company departs at dawn. Tell him. monsieur, that I await him now for final interview." I watched Delgnard salute, and turn away to execute his order. La Barre drew a paper from a drawer of the desk and bent over it, pen in hand. My eyes lifted to the face of D'Artigny, D'Arti-gny, standing motionless behind me in the deeper shadow. "You overheard, monsieur?" I whispered. whis-pered. He leaned closer, his lips at my ear, his eyes dark with eagerness. "Every word, mademoiselle! Fear not. I shall yet learn the truth from this Cassion. You suspected?" I shook my head, uncertain. "My father died in that faith, monsieur, mon-sieur, but Chevet called me a beggar." "Chevet! no doubt he knows all, and has a dirty hand in the mess. He called you beggar, hey! hush, the fellow fel-low comes." He was a picture of insolent servility, ser-vility, as he stood there bowing, bis gay dress fluttering with ribbons, his face smiling, yet utterly expressionless. expression-less. La Barre lifted his eyes, and surveyed him coldly. "You sent for me, sir?" "Yes. although I scarcely thought at this hour you would appear in the apparel ap-parel of a dandy. I have chosen you for serious work, monsieur, and the time is near for your departure. Surely Sure-ly my orders were sufficiently clear?" "They were, Governor la Earre." and Cassion's lips lost their grin, "md my delay in changing dress has occurred oc-curred through the strange disappearance disappear-ance of Mademoiselle la Chesuayue-I Chesuayue-I left her with Major Callons while I danced with my lady, and have since found no trace of the maid." "Does not Callons know?" "Only that, seeking refreshments, he left her, and found her gone on his return. re-turn. Her wraps are In the dressing room." "Then 'tis not like she has fled the palace. No doubt she awaits yon in some corner. I will have the servants look, aud meanwhile pay heed to me. This is a mission of more import than love-making with a maid. Monsieur Cassion. and Its success or failure will determine your future. You have my letter of instruction?" "It has been carefully read." "Aud the sealed orders for Chevalier de Baugis?" "Here, protected in oiled silk." "See that they reach him, and no one else; they give him an authority I could not grant before, and should end La Salle's control of that country. Y'ou have met this Henri de Tonty? He was here with his master three years since and had andlence." "Ay, but that was before my time. Is he one to resist De Baugis?" "He Impressed me as a man who would obey to the letter, monsieur; dark-faced soldier, with an iron jaw. He had lost one arm In tattle, and was loyal to his chief." "So I have heard a stronger man than De Baugis?" "A more resolute; all depends on what orders La Salle left, and the number of men the two command." "In that respect the difference is not great. De Baugis had but a handful hand-ful of soldiers to take from Mackinac, although his voyageurs may be depended de-pended upon to obey his will. His instructions in-structions were not to employ force." "And the garrison of St. Louis?" " 'Tis hard to tell, as there are fur hunlers there of whom we have no record. La Salle's report would make bis own command 18, but they are well chosen, and he hath lieutenants not so far away as to be forgotten. La Forest would strike at a word, and De la Durantaye is at the Chicago portage, por-tage, and no friend of mine. 'Tis of importance, therefore, that your voyage voy-age be swiftly completed, and my orders or-ders placed in De Baugis' hands. Are all things ready for departure?" "Ay, the boats only await my coming." com-ing." The governor leaned his head on his hand, crumbling the paper between his fingers. "This young fellow D'Artigny," he said thoughtfully, "you have some special spe-cial reason for keeping him in your company?" Cassion crossed the room, his face suddenly darkening. "Ay, now I have," he explained shortly, "although I first, engaged his services merely for what I deemed to be their value. He spoke me most fairly." "But since?" "I have cause to suspect. Chevet tells me that today he had conference with mademoiselle at the house of the Ursulines." "Ah, 'twas for that then you had hla ticket revoked. I see where the shoe pinches. 'Twill be safer with him in the boats than back here in Quebec. Then I give permission, and wash my hands of the whole affair but beware of him, Cassion." "I may be trusted, sir." "I question that no longer." He hesitated hesi-tated slightly, then added in lower tone: "If accident occur the report may be briefly made. I think that will be all." Both men were upon their feet, and La Barre extended his hand across the desk. I do not know what movement may have caused it, but at that moment mo-ment a wooden ring holding the curtain cur-tain fell, and struck the floor at my feet. Obeying the first impulse I thrust D'Artigny back behind me Into the shadow, and held aside the drapery. drap-ery. Both men, turning, startled at the sound, beheld me clearly, and stared in amazement. Cassion took a step forward, for-ward, an exclamation of surprise breaking from his Hps. "Adele! Mademoiselle!" I stepped more fully into the light, permitting the curtain to fall behind me, and my eyes swept their faces. "Yes, monsieur you were seeking me?" "For an hour past; for what reason did you leave the ballroom?" With no purpose in my mind but to gain time in which to collect my thought and protect D'Artigny from discovery, I made answer, assuming a carelessness of demeanor which I was far from feeling. "Has It been so long, monsieur?" I returned in apparent surprise. "Why I merely sought a breath of fresh air, and became interested in the scene without." La Barre stood motionless, just as he had risen to his feet at the first alarm, his eyes on my face, his heavy eyebrows contracted in a frown. "I will question the young lady, Cassion." Cas-sion." he said sternly, "for I have Interests In-terests here of my own. Mademoiselle!" Mademoi-selle!" ' "Yes, monsieur." "How long have you been behind that curtain?" X With only a few hours Inter- J X vening before the perilous jour- J X ney to the Illinois country Is be- ? X gun by Cassion and D'Artigny X and the others, what can the S j young gentleman of France do ! to assure Adele's safety until his 7 return to Quebec? i (TO BE CONTINUED.) SYNOPSIS. 3 Arlflfl la OheHnayne, a belle of New f'rniii:it, Ih arnontr conspirators at her un-lie's un-lie's house. Cassion, the conimlssalre, ha. enlisted her l.'n'le (.'bevel's aid HKnlnMt l.a rtntle. irArllKny, Im. Salle's friend, offers his services us frulde to Cas-Hlon'H Cas-Hlon'H parly on the Journey to the wilderness. wilder-ness. The uncle Informs Adele that he tlas betrothed her to Ca-sslon and forbids her to a.-e tJ'ArMKny axaln. In Quebec Adele visits her friend, Sinter Celeste, who brings D'Artigny to her. Khe tells him her story and he vows to release her from the barjraln with Cassion. D'ArtlK-ny D'ArtlK-ny leaveB promising to st-e her at the danee. Cusslon escorts Adele to the hall, flho meets the governor, l.a Harre. and hears him warn the cnmmlssalre HKalnst D'Artigny. D'Artlgny'a ticket to the ball haa been recalled. r r The way of a man with a maid X Adele forgets her own dan- I ger to warn D'Artigny against X the plotting of La Barre and Cassion. The youth finds him- X self In the role of protector to J the girl. How he learns some J ' of the enemy's secrets and why ? they hate him and want to con- J ''. trol the girl are told in an ab- z I sorbing manner In this install- 2 ment, CHAPTER IV. Continued. (Adele, arrived at the ball with Cas-tlon, Cas-tlon, has Just been introduced to Gov-irnor Gov-irnor La Barre. She hears him warn ler escort to beware of D'Artigny.) "Perchance not, yet the way is long, .nd he knows the wilderness. I advise ou guard him well. I shall send to roa for council in an hour; there are papers yet unsigned." He turned away to greet those who 'oltowed us in line, while we moved 'orward Into the crowd about the (vails. Cassion whispered in my ear, ailing me hits of gossip about this aud that one who passed us, seeking to exhibit his wit, and impress me with his wide acquaintance. I must oave made fit response, for his voice never ceased, yet I felt no Interest in the stories, and disliked the man more than ever for his vapid boasting. The truth is my thought was principally concerned with D'Artigny, and whether wheth-er he would really gain admission. Still of this I had small doubt, for his was i daring to make light of guards, or any threat of enemies, if desire urged him on. And I had his pledge. My eyes watched every moving flg-jre, flg-jre, but the man was not present, my anxiety increasing as I realized his absence, and speculated as to its cause, ould Cassion have interfered? Could be have learned of our interview, and ased his Influence secretly to prevent our meeting again? It was not impossible, impos-sible, for the man was seemingly In close touch with Quebec, and undoubt-idly undoubt-idly possessed power. My desire to see D'Artigny was now for his own sake to warn him of danger and treachery. The few words I had caught passing between La Barre and Cassion Cas-sion had to me a sinister meaning; they were a promise of protection from the governor to his lieutenant, and this officer of La Salle's should be warned that he was suspected and watched. There was more to La Barre's words than appeared openly; it would be later, when they were alone, that he would give his real orders to Cassion. Yet I felt small doubt as to what those orders would be. nor of the failure of the lieutenant to execute them. The wilderness hid many a secret, and might well conceal auother. In some manner that night I must find D'Artigny, and whisper my warning. These were my thoughts, crystallizing crystalliz-ing into purpose, yet I managed to smile cheerily into the face of the com-mtssalre com-mtssalre and make such reply to his badinage as gave him pleasure. I danced with him twice, pleased to know I had not forgotten the step, and then, as he felt compelled to show attention at-tention to the governor's lady, he left me in charge of a tall, thin officer a Major Callons, I think reluctantly, and disappeared In the crowd. Never did I part with one more willingly, and as the major spoke scarcely a dozen words during our long dance together to-gether I found opportunity to think, aud decide upon a course of action. As the music ceased my only plan was to avoid Cassion as long as possible, pos-sible, and. at my suggestion, the silent major conducted me to a side room, and then disappeared, seeking refreshments. refresh-ments. I grasped the opportunity to s'ip through the crowd, and find concealment con-cealment in a quiet corner. I leaned forward scanning each passing pass-ing i';tce. my whole attention concentrated concen-trated on the discovery of D'Artigny. Where he came from I knew not, but his voice softly speaking at my very ear brought me to my feet, with a 'ittle cry of relief. The joy of finding him must have found expression in my eyes. In mr-oa.Ter oinsvnrg of his hani, for be la'tghed. " 'Tis as thougV I was truly welcomed, wel-comed, mader.' -iselle," he said, and gravely enough. "Could I hop that you were even seeking me yonder?" "It would be the truth, if you did." 1 rspondyd frankly, "and I was be-fviiA be-fviiA to doubt your promise." "Nor was it as easily kept as I supposed sup-posed when given," he said under his breath. "Come with me into this side room where we can converse more freely I can perceive Monsieur Cassion Cas-sion across the floor. No doubt he is seeking you, and my presence here will give the man no pleasure." I glanced in the direction indicated, and although I saw nothing of the eommissaire, I slipped back willingly enough through the lifted curtain Into the deserted room behind. It was evidently an office of some kind, for it contained only a desk and some chairs, and was unllghted, except for the gleam from between the curtains. The outer wall was so thick a considerable consid-erable space separated the room from the window, which was screened off by heavy drapery. D'Artigny appeared familiar with these details, for, with scarcely a glance about, he led me into this recess, where we stood concealed. con-cealed. Lights from below illumined our faces, and revealed an open window win-dow looking down on the court. My companion glanced out at the scone beneath, and his eyes and lips smiled as he turned again and faced me. "But, monsieur," I questioned puzzled, puz-zled, "why was it not easy? You met with trouble?" "Hardly that; a mere annoyance. I may only suspect the cause, but an hour after I left you my ticket of invitation in-vitation was withdrawn." "Withdrawn? by whom?" "The order of La Barre. no doubt; an officer of his guard called on me to say he preferred my absence." " 'Twas the work of Cassion." "So I chose to believe, especially as he sent me word later to remain at the boats, and have them in readiness for departure at any minute. Some inkling of our meeting must have reached his ears." "But how came you here, then?" He laughed in careless good humor. "Why. that was no trick! Think you I am one to disappoint because of so small an obstacle? As the door was refused me I sought other entrance, and found it here." He pointed through the open window. "It was not a difficult dif-ficult passage, but I had to wait the withdrawal of the guards below, which caused my late arrival. Yet this was compensated for by discovering you so quickly. My only fear was encountering encounter-ing someone I knew while seeking you on the floor." "You entered through tils window?" "Yes; there Is a lattice work below." "Aud whose office is that within?" "My guess is that of Colonel Del-guard, Del-guard, La Barre's chief of staff, for there was a letter for him lying on the desk. What difference? You are glad I came?" "Yes, monsieur, but not so much for my own sake as for yours. I bring you warning that you adventure with those who would do you evil If the chance arrive." "Bah! Monsieur Cassion?" " 'Tis not well for you to despise the man, for he has power and Is a villain at heart in spite of all his pretty wavs. 'Tis said he has the cruelty of a t'ger, and in this case La Barre gives him full authority." "Hath the governor grudge against me also?" "Only that you are follower of La Salle, and loyal, while he is heart and hand with tile other faction. He chilled chill-ed Cassion for accepting you as guide, and advised close watch lest you show treachery." D'Artigny leaned motionless against the window ledge, and the light streaming in through the opening of the draperies revealed the gravity of "Bah! Monsieur Cassion!" his expression. For the moment he remained silent, turning the affair over in his mind. "I thank you, mademoiselle," he said finally, and touched my hand, "for your report gives me one more liflk to my chain. I have picked up several In the past few hours, and all seem to lead back to the manipulations of Cassion. Faith! there is some mystery here, for surely the man seemed happy enough when first we met at Chevet's house, and accepted my offer gladly. Have you any theory as to this change In his front?" I felt the blood surge to my cheeks, and my eyes fell before the intensity of his glance. "If I have, monsieur, 'tis no need that it be mentioned." "Your pardon, mademoiselle, but your wonts already answer me 'tis then that I have shown Interest in you; the dog is jealous!" "Monsieur!" He laughed, and I felt the tightening of his hand on mine. "Good! and by all the gods. I will give him fair cause. The thought pleases me. for rather would I be your soldier than my own. See how it dovetails dove-tails in I meet you at the convent and pledge you my aid; some spy bears word of our conference to monsieur, mon-sieur, and an hour later I receive word that if I have more to do with you I die. I smile at the warning aud send back a message of insult. Then my Invitation to this ball is withdrawn, and, later still, La Barre even advises that I be assassinated at the least excuse. ex-cuse. 'Twould seem they deem you of importance, mademoiselle." "Y'ou make it no more than a joke?" "Far from it; the very fact that I know the men makes it matter of grave concern. I might, indeed, smile did it concern myself alone, but I have your Interests in mind you have honored hon-ored me by calling me your only friend, and now I know not where I may serve you best in tfee wilderness, or here in Quebec?" "There can nothing injure me here, monsieur, not with Cassion traveling to the Illinois. No doubt he will leave behind him those who will observe my movements that cannot harm." "It is Hugo Chevet, I fear." "Chevet! my uncle I do not understand." under-stand." "No, for he is your uncle, and you know him only in such relationship. He may have been to you kind and indulgent. in-dulgent. I do not ask. But to those who meet him in the world he is a big, cruel, savage brute, who would sacrifice sacri-fice even you, if you stood in his way. And now if you fail to marry Cassion, you will so stand. He is the one who will guard you, by choice of the commissalre, com-missalre, and orders of La Barre, and he will do his part well." "I can remain with the sisters." "Not in opposition to the governor; they would never dare antagonize him; tomorrow you will return with Chevet." Che-vet." I drew a quick breath, my eyes on his face. "How can you know all this, monsieur? mon-sieur? Why should my uncle sacrifice me?" "No matter how I know. Some of it has been your own confession, coupled with my knowledge of the man. Three days ago I learned of his debt to Cassion. and that the latter had him in his claws, and at his mercy. Today I had evidence of what that debt means." "Today!" "Ay! 'twas from Chevet the threat came that he would kill me if I ever met with you again." I could but stare at him, incredulous, my fingers unconsciously grasping his jacket. "He said that? Chevet?" "Ay! Chevet; the message came by mouth of the halfbreed, his voyageur, and I choked out of him where he had left his master, yet when I got there the man had goue. If we might meet tonight the matter would be swiftly settled." He gazed out into the darkness, and I saw his hand close on the hilt of his knife. I caught his arm. "No. no, monsieur; not that. Y'ou must not seek a quarrel, for I am not afraid truly I am not; you will listen lis-ten " There was a voice speaking in the office room behind, the closing of a door, and the scraping of a chair as someone sat down. My words ceased, aud we stood silent in the shadow, my grasp still on D'Artigny's arm. CHAPTER V. The Order of La Barre. I did not recognize the voice speaking speak-ing a husky vo'ce, the words indistinct, indis-tinct, yet withal forceful nor do I know what it was he said. But when the other answered, tapping on the desk with some instrument, I knew the second speaker to be La Barre, and leaned back just far enough to gain glimpse through the opening in the drapery. He sat at the desk, his back toward us, while his companion, a red-faced, red-faced, heavily moustached man. in uniform uni-form of the Rifles, stood opposite, one arm on the mantel over the fireplace. His expression was that of amused interest. "You Sjaw the lady?" he asked. "In the receiving line for a moment only; a fair enough maid to be loved for her own sake, I should say. Faith, never have I seen handsomer eyes," The other laughed. |
