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CHAPTER I. At the Home of Hugo Chevct. It was early autumn for the clusters of grapes above me were already purple, ami the forest leaves were tinged with red. And yet the air was , oft. and the golden bars of sun flickered down on the work in my lap through the laced branches of the trellis. The work was but a pretense, for I had tied the house to escape the rolee of Monsieur Cession who was till urging my uncle to accompany hi in on his journey into the wilderness. They sat in the great room before the firenlaee. drliikhiir oral I lent hoard euough already to tell 1110 there was treachery on foot against the Sieur ie la Salle. To he sure It was noth- < iig to me. a girl knowing naught of inch intrigue, yet 1 had not forgotten fte day, throe years before, when this La Salle, with others of his company, lad halted before the Ursuline conTent, and the sisters bade them welcome for the night. 'Twas my part *> help serve, and he had stroked my lair in tenderness. I had sung to 1 them, and watched his face in the firelight as he listened. Never would I target that face, nor believe evil of inch a man. No! not from the lips of Cassion nor even from the governor, La Ha rre. 1 recalled it all now, as I sat there In the silence, pretending to work, how ?re watched them embark in their caaoos and disappear, the Indian padilers bending to their task, and Monsieur la Salle, standing, bareheaded #s he waved farewell. Beyond him was the dark face of one they called Be Touty, and in the first boat a mere boy lifted his ragged hat. I know not why. but the memory of that lad was elea rer than all those others, for ho had met me in the hall and we had j talked long in the great window ore the sister came, and took me away. So I remembered him. and his name. Rene d'Artigny. And in all those years I heard no more. Into the black wilderness they swept and were lost to those of us at home In New France. No doubt there were those who Inew?Frontenac, Bigot, those who mled over us at Quebec?but 'twas lot a matter supposed to interest a jrfr', and so no word came to me. Once I asked my Uncle Che vet, and he replied in anger with only a few sentences, bidding me hold my tongue; jit he said enough so that I knew the Sioor de In Salle lived and had built i fort far away, and was buying furs <of the Indians. It was this that fcronpht jealousy nn<l hatred. Once Monsieur Casslon eaine and stopped with us. and as I waited on him and tT"vv*te Chevet, I oaupht words whleli told1 ran? that Frontenac was La Salle's friend, and would listen to no eharpes faroupht apainst him. They talked of * new povernor; yet I learned but little. for Casslon attempted to kiss me, *iid I would wait on him no more. Chen Frontenac was recalled to franee, and Ln Rarre was povernor. How pleased my Fnele Chevet was when the news came, and he rapped lie ruble with his plnss and exclaimed: "*Ah! but now we will pluck out the claws of this Sieur de la Salle, and lend him where he belonps." Rut he would explain nothlnp. until a week later. Casslon came up the river in bis canoe with Indian paddlers, and stopped to hold conference. The man treated me with much pallantrv, so that I questioned him, ami he seemed happy to answer that La Rarre had already dispatched a party under Chevalier de Raupls, of the Kinp's T>rapv>ns to take command of La Salle's Fort St. Louis In the Illinois country. La Salle had returned, and was already at Quebec, but Caisson prlnned ss he boasted that the new povernor would not even pive him audience. Bali! I despised the man, yet I llnpered beside him, and thus learned that La Salle's party consisted of but two voyapeurs. and the younp Sieur d'Artlpny I was plad enomrh when br went away, though I gave him my band to kiss. and waved to him bravely at the landing. And now ho was hack again, bearing a message from 1m Harre, and seeking volunteers for some western voyage of profit. 'Twas f no interest to me unless my uncle Joined in the enterprise, yet I was lind enough, for he brought with him word of the governor's hall at Quebec, and had won the pledge of Chevet to take me there with him. I could be grncions to him for that and it was n my gown I worked, as the two nned and talked in secret. What they did was nothing to me now?all iv thought was on the ball. What would you? I was 17, The grape trellis ran down toward the river landing, and from where I sat in the cool shadow, I could see the Vrond water gleaming In the sun. Suddenly, as my eyes uplifted, the dark outline of a eanoe swept Into the vista, aod the splashing pnddles turned the prow inward toward our landing. I did not move, although I watched with Interest, for it was not the time of year for Indian traders, *nd these were white men. I could see those at he paddles, voyageur*. with gay , cloths about their heads; but the one to the stern wo** a hat, the brim oon- , mM :a. stor coaling bis face, and a blue coat. I i 1 knew not who It could bo until the I I prow touched the bank, and ho stepped ] | ashore. Then I knew, and bent low i ] over my sewing, as though I had seen < nothing, although my heart beat fast. Through lowered lashes I saw him f give brief order to the men, and then ^ advanee toward the house alone. Ah! but this was not the slender, laughing i eyed boy of three years before. The j wilderness had made of him a man? t a soldier. lie paused an instant to li gaze about, and held his hat in his t hand, the sun touching his tanned j cheeks, and decking the long, light f colored hair. { i "Mademoiselle," he said gently, j "pardon me, but is not this the homo 1 of Hugo Chevet, the fur trader?" I looked up into his face and bowed s as he swept the earth with his hat, i seeing at a glance that he had no re- 1 membrance of me. i "Yes" I answered. "If you seek 1 blm, rap on the door bevond." i | " 'Tis not so much Chevet I seek," he said, showing no Inclination to pass 1 He Paused an Instant to Gaze About, and Held His Hat in His Hand. me, "but one whom I understood to be his guest?Monsieur Francois Cassion." "The man is here." I answered quickly, yet unable to conceal my surprise, "but you will find him no friend to Sieur do la Salle." "Ah!" and he stared at me Intently, "In the name of the saints, what is 1 the meaning of this? You know me then V" I bowed, yet my eyes remained hidden. "I knew you once as monsieur's friend," I said, almost regretting my indiscretion, "and have been told you 1 travel in his company." "You knew me once!" he laughed. "Surely that cannot he, for never 1 would I he likely to forget. I dial* lenge you, mademoiselle, to speak my na me." "The Sieur Hene d'Artigny, mon- 1 sieur." "Ity my faith, the witch is right, and yet In all this New France 1 know scarce a maid. Nay look up; there is naught to fear from me. and I would see if memory he not new horn. Saint Giles! surely 'tis true; I have seen those eyes before; why, the name is on my tongue, yet fails me, lost in the wilderness. I pray you mercy, mademoiselle!" "You have memory of the face you say?" "Ay! the witchery of It; 'tis like a haunting spirit." "Which did not haunt long, I warrant. I am Adele la Chesnayne, monsieur." He stepped back, his eyes on mine, questloningly. For an Instant I believed the name even brought no familiar sound; then his face brightened and his eyes smiled as his lips echoed the words. "Allele In Chesnnyne! Ah! now I know. Why 'tin no less than a inlrnele. It was a child I thought of under that name?a slender, brown-eyed girl, as blithesome ns a bird. No, I had not forgotten; only the magic of three years has made of you n woman. Again and again have I questioned In Montreal and Quebec, but no one seemed to know. At the convent they said your father fell In Indian skirmish." "Yes; ever since then I have lived here, with my uncle, Hugo Chevet." "Here!" he looked about, ns though the dreariness of It was llrst noticed. "Alone? Is there no other woman?" I shook my head, but no longer looked at him, for fear he might see the tears In my eyes. "I am the housekeeper, monRleur. There was nothing else for me. In France, I am told, my father's people were well born, but thla Is not France, and there was no choice, Besides 1 was but a child of 14." "And 17. now. mademoiselle," and THE LANCASTER K ) /jfero op pa] y DAND^IX CPARRIS1L copytti&Hlie took my hand gallantly. "Pardon If I have asked questions which bring ?aln. I can understand much, for in Montreal I heard talcs of this Lingo Jhevet." "lie is rough, a woodsman," I de'ended, "yet not unkind to me. You will speak him fair?" lie laughed, his eyes sparkling with nerrlment. "No fear of my neglecting all courcsy, for I come beseeching a favor. I lave learned the lesson of when the soft tpceeh wins more than the Iron hand. \nd this other, the Commlssalre Casdon?Is he a bird of the same plumlge?" I made a little gesture, and glauced >ack at the closed door. "Oh. no; he is the court courier, to dab with words, not deeds. Chevet s rough of speech, and hard of hand. >ut he tights In the open; Cnssion lias i double tongue, and one never knows lira." I glanced up into his sobered face. "lie is a friend of La Rarre." "So 'tis said, and has been chosen t>y the go ernor to bear message to I >e Raugis In the Illinois country. I ?eek passage in his company." "You! I thought you were of the party of Sleur de la Salle?" "I am." he answered honestly, "yet Cession will need a guide, and there Is none save myself In nil New France who has ever made that Journey. Twill be well for liiin to listen to my plan. And why not? We do not tight the orders of the governor: we obey, and wait. Monsieur de la Salle will tell his story to the king." "The King! To Louis?" "Ay, 'twill not be the first time he has had audience, and already he is at sea. We can wajt. and laugh at this Cassion over his useless Journey." "Rut he?he is treacherous, monsieur." lie laughed as though the words amused. "To one who hns lived as I, amid savages, treachery Is an old story. The commissalre will not find me asleep. We will serve each other, and let it go nt that. Ah! we are to be interrupted." lie straightened up facing the door, and I turned, confronting my uncle as he emerged In advance. lie was a burly man, with iron gray hair, and face reddened by out-of-doors; and he stopped in surprise at sight of a stranger, his eyes hardening with suspicion. "And who is this with whom you converse so privately, Adele? " he questioned brusquely, "a young popinjay new to these parts I venture." D'Artigny stepped between us. smiling in good humor. "My call was upon you. Monsieur Chevet, and not the young lady," he said quietly enough, yet with a tone to the voice. "I merely asked her if I had found the right place, and if Monsieur the Commissalre Cassion was still your guest." "And what, may I nsk, might be your business with the Commissalre Casslon?" asked the latter. pressing past Chevet. yet bowing with a semblance of politeness, scarcely In accord with the studied Insolence of his words. "I have no remembrance of your face." "Then. Monsieur Casslon Is not observant," returned the younger man pleasantly, "as I accompanied the Sleur de la Salle In his attempt to have audience with the governor." "Ah!" the word of surprise exploded from the lips. "Snore! 'tis true! My fa it n. what difference clothes make. I mistook you for a courier dn hols." "I am the Sleur Rene d'Artigny." "T.leutenant of La Salle's?" "Scarcely that, monsieur, hut a comrade; for three years I have been with his party, and was chosen by him for this mission." Casslon laughed, chucking the gloomy faced Chevet In the side, as though he would give point to a good joke. "And little the trip hither has profited either master or man, I warrant. La Rarre does not sell New France to every adventurer. Monsieur de la Salle found different reception In Que oec iniin wnen iTonrenac ruieo tnis colony. Where went the fur stealer?" "To whom do you refer?" "To whom? Heaven help ns, Chevet, the man would play nice with words. Well, let It go, my young cock, and nnswer me." "You mean the Sleur de la Salle?" "To be sure; I called him no worse than I have heard La Itarre speak. They say he has left Quebec; what more know you?" " 'Tls no secret, monsieur," replied D'Artlgny quietly enough, although there was a flash In his eyes, as they met mine. "The Sleur de la Salle has sailed for France." "France! Hah you Jest; there has been no ship outward bound." "The Hreton paused at St. Roche, held by the fog When the fog lifted there was a new passenger aboard. By dawn the Indian paddlers had me landed In Quebec." "l>oes La Horre know?" "Faith! I could not tell you that, as be has not honored me with audience." Cnssion strode back and forth, hie fEWS, JUNE 30, 1916. r 4r a C.akciuro <? CO , face dark with passion. It whs nol pleasant news he had been told, am it was plalu enough he understood tin meaning. "Ry the saints!" lie exclaimed. " *Th a sly fox to break through our guari so easily. Ay, and 'twill give him i moeth to whisper his lies to Louis, lie fore Ihi Rarre can forward a report Rut, sacre! my young chanticleer, sure ly you are not here to bring me this hit of news. You sought me, yot said? Well, for what purpose?" "In peace, monsieur. Recnuse I hav< served Sleur de la Salle loyally is n< reason why we should be enemies. W< are ikhii tne king's men, and iuaj work together. The word has come t? me that you head a party for the 111! nols, with instructions for Do Huugk at Fort St. Louis. Is this true?" Cassiou bowed coldly, waiting t< discover how much more his ques tiouor knew. "Ah, then I am right thus far. Well monsieur, 'twas on that account 1 came, to volunteer us guide." "You! 'Twould be treachery." "Oh, no; our interests are the samt so far as the Journey goes. 1 wouk reach St. Louis; so would you. He cause we may have different ends it view, different causes to serve, hut naught to do with the trail thither There is not a man who knows tin way as well as I. Four times have I traveled it, and 1 am not a savage monsieur?I am a gentleman ol France." "And you pledge your word?" "I pledge uiy word?to guide yoi safe to Fort St. I.ouis. Once there 1 am comrade to Sieur de la Salle." "Hah! I care not whom you com rade with, once you serve my purpose I take your offer, and if you play no falsi??" "Restrain your throats, Monsleui Cassiou. A quarrel will get us no where. You have my word of honor 'tis enough. Who will compose th< party V" Cassiou hesitated, yet seemed t< realize the usolcssncss of deceit. "A dozen or more soldiers of tin regiment of I'icardy, some courier du hois, and the Indian paddlers There will be four boats." "You go by the Ottawa, and tit lakes?" "Such were my orders." " 'Tis less fatiguing, although i longer Journey; and the time of de parture?" Cassiou laughed as he turned slight ly and bowed to me. "We leave Quebec before dawi Tuesday," he said gayly. "it is in; wish to enjoy once more the follies o civilization before plunging Into tii wilderness. The governor permits thu we remain to his ball. Mudemoisell le Chesnayne does me the honor o belne niv truest on flint m<i<niilnn " "I, monsieur!" I exclaimed in sut prise at his boastful words. " 'Twa my uncle who promised?" "Tut. tut, what of that?" he Intel rupted In no way discomposed. "It 1 my request which opens tlie golde: gates. The good Hugo here hut look on at a frivolity for which he care nothing. 'Tis the .voting ?lo .l.uiii "Cassion Is Not Likely to Be Caugli Asleep, My Good Hugo." And you, Monsieur d'Artlgny, am to meet you there also, or perchanc later at the boat landing?" "At tne ball, monsieur. 'TIs thre years since I have danced to measun but It will be a Joy to look on, an thus keep company with Monsleu Chevet. Nor shall I fall you at th boats; until then, messieurs," and h bowed hat In hand, "and to yoi mademoiselle, adieu." We watched him go down the grnp arbor to the canoe, and no one apok but Cession. "PouT. he thinks well of hlmsel that young cockerel, and 'twill llkel be my part to clip hla spurs. Still 'tI good policy to have him with ua, ta 'tis a long Journey. What say jot I Chevet?" t "Tlint he Is one to wnteli," answered I my uncle grutlly. "I trust none of La ? Salle's brood." j "No, nor I, for the matter of that, * but 1 am willing to pit my brains 1 against the best of them. Francois i Casslon Is not likely to be caught - asleep, my good Hugo." CHAPTER II. , The Choice of a Husband. It was just before dark when Mon, sleur Casslon h ft us, and 1 watched , ; him go gladly enough hidden behind , the shade of my wit* low. He had r been talking for an hour with Chevet , in the room below: I could hear the . rattle of glasses, as though they drank. , and the unpleasant arrogance of his voice, although no words reached me ? clearly. 1 cared llttla what he said. . although I wondered at his purpose In being there, ntul what object he might have lu this long converse with my [ uncle. Yet 1 was not sent for. and no doubt It was some conference over furs, of no great Interest. The two ? were In some scheme 1 knew to gain 1 advantage over Slenr de la Salle, and . ! were much elated now that l.a Harre i held power: but that was nothing for j a girl to understand, so 1 worked on with busy fingers, my mind not forget. ful of the young Sicur d'Artlgny. [ Chevet did not return to the house after Monsieur Casslon's canoe had f disappeared. I saw him walking back and forth along the river bank, smoking. and seemingly thinking out some ! problem. Nor dhl he appear until I [ had the evening tneal ready, and called to him down the arbor, lie was always . grutT and bearish enough when we were alone, seldom speaking. Indeed. ? except to give utterance to some order. but this night he appeared even r more morose and silent than his wont, . not so much as looking at me as he ; took seat, and began to eat. No doubt B Cassion had brought 111 news, or else the appearance of D'Artlgny had 0 served to arouse all his old animosity toward La Salle. It was little to me. B however, and I had learned to ignore s his moods, so I took my own place i. silently, and paid no heed to the scowl with which he surveyed me e across the table. No doubt my verj indifference fanned his discontent, but I remained ignorant of it, until he a burst out savagely. ^ "And so you know Oils young cockerel, do you? You know him, and . never told me? Where before did you ever meet this popinjay?" n "At the convent three years ago. y La Salle rested there over night, and f young IYArtlgny was of the party. e lie was but a boy then." t "He came here today to see you?" e "No, never," I protested. "I doubt f If he even had the memory of me until I told him who I wns. Surely he ex.. plained clearly why he came." B He eyed me fiercely, his face full of suspicion, his great hand grijrplng the knife. b " 'TIs well for you if that be true." u he said gruffly, "but I have no faith b In the lad's words. lie Is here as Lu 8 Salle's spy, and so I told Cassion. , though the only honor he did me was -a to laugh at my warning. 'Let him I spy.' he snld, 'and I will play at the 1 same game; 'tis little enough he will I u'uru, nmi we hum 11 need ills guidance.' Ay! nml he may be right. hut I want nothing to <lo with the fellow. Casslon may give him place in his boats, if he will, but never again shall lie set foot on my land, nor have speech with you. You mark my words, mademoiselle?" I felt the color flame Into my cheeks, and knew my eyes darkened with anIger. yet made effort to control my speech. "Yes, monsieur; I am your ward and have always been obedient, yet tills Sleur d'Artlgnv seems a pleasant spoken young man, nnd surely 'tis no crime tiiat he serves the Sleur de la Salle." "Is It not!" he burst forth, striking the table with ills fist. "Know you not I would lie rich lint for that fur stealer. Ry right those should lie my furs he sends here In trade. There will be another tale to tell soon, now that La Rarre hath the reins of power; nnd this D'Artlgny?bah! What care I , for that young cockerel?but I hate the f brood. Listen, girl, I pay my debts; J li was tins liiind that broke Louis d'Artluny, and bus kept him to his bed it for ten years past. Yet even that does not wipe out the seore between us. j 'Tis no odds to you what was the cause, but while I live I hate. Ho you have my orders; you will speak no more with this Ii'ArtlRny." r J%VVVUWWyW/JWVWWdi '' " What dark scheme have Cat- aj r ; / sion and Chevet concocted which J* Ja calls for the marriage of Adele \ e Ik Chesnayne? Do you believe ' ' it probable that Casaion really J loves the girl and would do well J? for her?or is this merely ? '' "J method of getting the girl out J? * of the way in a hard game of ? % plotting between desperate and " v r" greedy men for the Frennh % " kino's favor? i| (TO BE> CONTINUBOa /y . Sailed Horse forrnKj^ Other* \ I F*il T^pii^ K*ep? Him Working HAN FORD'S Balsam of Myrrh ALINI MINT For Galls, Wire Cuts, Lameness, Strains, Bunches, m a ; i nruan, uid Sores, Nail Wounds, Foot Rot, ^ Fistula, Bleeding, Etc.; Etc. Made Since 1846. 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