The Lancaster news. (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, June 30, 1916, Image 6
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|
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W. N. U.( CHARLOTTE, NO. 27-191*