)u n mi j in
A STORY
CHAPTER XIX. Continued.
14
"You refuse obedience to the gover
nor of New France?"
""No, monsieur; I am under orders
to obe. There will be no trouble be
tween us if you are Just to my men.
La Barre Is not here to decide this,
but I am." lie put his hand on D'Ar
tlgny's shoulder. "Monsieur Casslon
charges this man with murder. He la
an officer of my command, rd I
nrroot- lilm. TTa film II he nrotected.
- . . v j 1
ana given a tair trim. v uui mwie
can you ask?"
"You will protect him! help him to
escape, rather!" burst out Casslon.
"That is the scheme, De Baugis."
"Your words are insult, monsieur,
and I bear no more. If you seek quar
rel, you shall have it. I am your equal,
monsieur, and my commission comes
from the king. Ah, M. de la Duran
taye, what say you of this matter?"
A man, broad-shouldered, In the
dress of a woodsman, elbowed his
way through the throng of soldiers,
lie had a strong, good-humored face.
"In faith, I heard little of the con
troversy, yet 'tis like I know the gist
of it, as I have Just conversed with
a wounded soldier of mine, Barbeau.
who repeated the story as he under
stood, it. My hand to you. Sieur d'Ar
,tigny, and It seems to me, messieurs,
that De Tonty hath the right of it."
"You take his side against us who
have the authority of the governor?"
'Tah! that is not the Issue. 'Tis
merely a question of justice to this lad
here. I stand for fair trial with Henri
de Tonty, and will back my judgment
with my sword."
They stood eye to eye, the four of
them, and the group of soldiers seemed
to divide, each company drawing to
gether. Casslon growled some vague
threat, but De Baugis took another
' course, gripping his companion by the
arm.
"No, Francois, 'tis not worth the
danger," he expostulated. "There will
be no crossing of steel. Monsieur Cas
sion, no doubt, hath reason to be an
gered but not I. The man shall have
his trial, and we will learn the right
and wrong of all this presently. Mon
sieur Tonty, the prisoner is left in
your charge. Fall back men to your
barracks. Madame, permit me to of
fer you my escort."
"To where, monsieur?"
"To the only quarters fitted for your
reception," he said gallantly, "those
I have occupied since arrival here."
"You vacate them for me?"
"With the utmost pleasure," bowing
gallantly. "I beg of you their accept
ance; your husband has been my
guest, and will join me In exile."
"I will use your quarters gladly,
Captain de Baugis," I said quietly,
"but will ask to be left there undis
turbed." "Most assuredly, madame my serv
ant will accompany you."
"Then good night, messieurs." I
faced Casslon, meeting his eyes frank
ly. "I am greatly wearied, and would
rest; tomorrow I will speak with you,
monsieur. Permit to pass."
He stood aside, unable to affront
me. although the anger in his face was
evidence enough of brewing trouble.
No doubt he had boasted of me to De
Baugis, and felt no desire now to have
our true relations exposed thus pub
licly. I passed him, glancing at none
of the others, and followed the soldier
across the beaten parade. A moment
later I was safely hidden within a
two-roomed cabin.
A table and two chairs, rudely made
Trith ax and knife, comprised the en
tire furniture, but a small mirror, un
framed. hung suspended against the
farther wall. I glanced at my reflec
tion In the glass, surprised to learn
tow little change the weeks had made
In my appearance. It was still the
face of a girl which gazed back at
me, with clear, wide-open eyes, and
cheeks flushed in the firelight. Strange
to say, the very sight of my youthful
ness was a disappointment, and
' brought with it doubt. How could I
fight these men? How could I hope
to win against their schemes and
plans of vengeance?
I opened the single window, and
leaned out, grateful for the fresh air
blowing against my face, but unable
to perceive the , scene below shrouded
, in darkness. Far away, down the
valley, was the red glow of a fire, IN
flame reflecting over the surface of
the river. I knew I stared down into
a great void, but could hear no sound
except a faint gurgle of water directly
beneath. I closed the window shutter,
and, urged by some Impulse, crossed
over to the door leading to the other
apartment. It was a sleeping room,
scarcely more than a large closet, with
garments banging on pegs against the
logs, and two rude bunks opposite the
door. But the thing which captured
my eyes was a bag of brown leather
lying on the floor at the head of one
- of the bunks a shapeless bag, having
no distinctive mark about it, and yet
which I Instantly recognized since
we left Quebec it had been in our
boat.
Ae I stood staring at it, I remem
bered the words of De Baugis, "your
' ' ffl "" s ii win, rtnapiiniii i nnmp. nilH'ii. ii
&
OF EARIY
,ty DMDALL.
7 nA rvTMOIT
copyawT
that was it this had been Cassion's
quarters since his arrival, and this
was his bag, the one he kept beside
him in the canoe, his private property.
My heart beat wildly in the excite
ment of discovery, yet there was no
hesitation; instantly I was upon my
knees tugging at the straps. They
yielded easily, and I forced .the
leather aside, gaining glimpse of the
contents.
I discovered nothing but clothes at
first moccasins and numerous under
garments together with a uniform,
evidently new, and quite gorgeous.
The .moval of these, however; re
vealed L socket in the leather side,
securely fasuvd, and on opening this
with trembling fingers, a number of
papers were disclosed.
Scarcely venturing to breathe, hard
ly knowing what I hoped to find, I
drew these forth, and glanced hastily
at them. Surely the man would bear
nothing unimportant with him on such
a journey; these must be papers of
value, for I had noted with what care
he had guarded the bag all the way.
Yet at first, I discovered nothing to re
ward my search there was a package
of letters, carefully bound with a
strong cord, a commission from La
Barre, creating Casslon a major of in
fantry, a number of receipts issued in
Montreal, a list of goods purchased at
St. Ignace, and a roster of men com
posing the expedition.
At last from one corner of the
pocket I drew forth a number of close
ly written pages, evidently the gover
nor's instruction. They were traced
in so fine a hand that I was obliged
to return beside the fire to decipher
their contents. They were written in
detail, largely concerned with matters
of routine, especially referring to rela
tions with the garrison of the fort, and
Cassion's authority over De Baugis,
but the closing paragraph had evi
dently been added later, and had per
sonal interest. It read: "Use your dis
cretion as to D'Artigny, but violence
will hardly be safe; he Is thought too
well of by La Salle, and that fox may
get Louis' ear again. We had best be
cautious. Chevet, however, has no
frfends. and. I am told, possesses a
list of the La Chesnayne property, and
other documents which had best be
destroyed. Do not fail in this, nor
fear results. We have gone too far
to hesitate now."
I took this page, and thrust it Into
my breast. It was not much, and yet
it might prove the one needed link. I
ran through the packet of letters, but
they apparently had no bearing on the
case.
Assured that I had overlooked noth
ing, I thrust the vario'us articles back,
restrapped the bag, and returned to
the outer room. As I paused before
I Glanced at My Reflection In the
Glass.
the fire, someone rapped at the door.
I stood erect, my fingers gripping the
pistol, which I still retained. Again
the raps sounded, clearly enough de
fined in the night, yet not violent or
threatening.
"Who is there?" I asked.
"Your husband, my dear Francois
Cassion."
"But why do you come? It was the
pledge of De Baugis that I was to be
left alone."
"A fair pledge enough, although I
was. not consulted. From the look of
your eyes, little difference if I had
been. You are as sweet in disposition
as ever, my dear; yet never mind that
we'll soon sett'- our case now. I
warrant you. Meanwhile I am content
to wait until my time comes. 'Tis not
you I seek tonight, but my dressing
case."
"Your dressing case?"
"Ay, you know it well, a brown
leather bag I bore with me during our
journey."
"And where is it. monsieur?"
"Beneath the bunk in the sleeping
room. Pass it out to me, and I will
BV Tn Trior."
HI
mr A.c.Aava Co
"'Twill be safer if you keep your
word," I said quietly, "for I still carry
Hugo Chevet's pistol, and know how
to use it Draw away from the door,
monsieur, and I will thrust out the
bag."
I lowered the bar, opening the door
barely wide enough to permit the bag's
passage. The light from the fire
gleamed on the barrel of the pistol held
In my hand. It was the work of an
Instant, and I saw nothing of Casslon,
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 it contains my commission.
Bj virtue of It I shall assume com
mand of this Fort St. Louis, and I
know how to deal with murderers. I
congratulate you on your lover, ma
dame good night."
I'must have slept from sheer exhaus
tion, although I made no attempt to
lie down. It was broad daylight when
I 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
a tray, which he deposited on the table.
Without speaking, he turned to leave
the room, but I suddenly felt courage
to address him.
"You were not of our party," I said
gravely. "Are you a soldier of M. de
Baugis?"
"Nor madame," and he turned fac
ing me, his countenance a pleasant
one. "I am not a soldier at. all, but I
serve M. de Tonty." .
"Ah, I 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 I understood
his meaning. "While it Is true I am
legally the wife of Francois Casslon,
my sympathies now are altogether
with the Sieur d'Artigny. I would
have you ask M. de Tonty to confer
with me."
"Yes, madame."
VYou have served with D'Artigny?
You know him well?"
"Three years, madame; twice he
saved my life on the great river. M.
de Tonty shall receive your message."
I could not eat. although I made the
endeavor, and finally crossed to the
window, opened the heavy wooden
shutters, and gazed without. What a
marvelous scene that was! Never be
fore had my eyes looked upon so fair
a view, and I stood silent and fasci
nated. My window opened to the
westward, and I gazed 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 silvery waters lapping the base
of the precipice, but, a little beyond,
the full width of the noble stream
became visible,' decked with Islands,
and winding here and there between
green-clad banks, until it disappeared
In the far distance.
I had neglected o bar the door, and
as I stood there gazing in breathless
fascination, a sudden step on the floor
caused me to turn in alarm. My eyes
encountered those of De Tonty, who
stood bat in hand.
" 'Tis a fair view, madame," he said
politely. "In all my travels I have
seen no nobler domain."
"It hath a peaceful look," I an
swered, still struggling with the mem
ory. "Can it be true the savages hold
the valley?"
"All too true see, yonder, where the
smoke still shows, dwelt the Kaskas
kias. Not a lodge is left, and the bod
ies 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 fort, monsieur?"
"Safe enough, I think, although no
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 to
waste. 'Twas the 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 are not cowards, then?"
"Not with proper leadership. We
have seen them fight often since we
invaded this land. 'Tis my thought
many of them are hiding now beyond
those hills, and may find some way to
reach us. I suspected such an effort
last night, when T sent out the rescue
party which brought you In. Ah, that
reminds me, madame; you sent for
me?"
"Yes, M. de Tonty. I can speak to
you frankly? You are the friend of
Sieur d'Artigny?"
"Faith. I hope I am, madame, but
I know not what has got into the lad
he will tell me nothing."
"I suspected as much, monsieur. It
was for that reason I have sent for
you. He has not even told you the
story of our journey?"
"Ay, as brief as a military report
not a fact I could not have guessed.
There Is a secret which I have
not discovered. WhV Vh M. Casslon so
wild for the lad's bloofl, and how came
there to be trouble between Rene and
the furtrader? . Bah! Lknow the lad
is no murderer, but no one will tell
me the facts."
"Then I " will, monsieur," I said
gravely. "It was because of my be
lief that Sieur d'Artigny would re
fuse explanation that I sent for you.
The truth need not be concealed; not
from you, at least, the commander of
Fort St Louis"
"Pardon, madame, but I am not that.
La Salle left me in command with less
than a dozen men. De Baugis came
later, under commission from La Barre,
but he also had but a handful of fol
lowers. To save quarrel we agreed to
divide authority, and so got along fair
ly well, until M. Casslon arrived with
his party. Then the odds were alto
gether on the other side, and De Bau
gis assumed command by sheer force
of rifles. 'Twas La Salle's wish that
no resistance be made, but, faith, with
the Indians scattered, I had no power.
This niorning things have taken a new
phase. An hour ago M. Casslon as
sumed command of the garrison by
virtue of a commission he produced
from the Governor la Barre, naming
him major of infantry. This gives him
rank above Captain de Baugis, and,
besides, he bore a letter authorizing
him to take command of all French
troops iu this valley, if, in his judg
ment, circumstances rendered It nec
essary. No doubt he deemed this the
proper occasion."
"To assure the conviction and death
of D'Artigny?" I asked, as he paused.
"That is your meaning, monsieur?"
"I cannot see it otherwise," he an
swered slowly, "although I hesitate to
make so grave a charge In your pres
ence, madame. 'Our situation here is
scarcely grave enough to warrant his
action, for the fort is in no serious
danger from the Iroquois. De Baugis,
while no friend of mine, is still a fair
minded man, and merciful. He cannot
be made a tool for any purpose of re
venge. ' This truth Major Cassion has
doubtless learned, and hence assumes
command himself to carry oufr his
plans."
I looked Into the soldier's dark,
clear-cut face, feeling a confidence in
him which Impelled me to hold out my
hand. .
"M. de Tonty," I said, determined
now to address him in all frankness,
"it Is true that I am legally the wife
of this man of whom you speak, but
this only enables me to know his mo
tives better. This condemnation of
Sieur d'Artigny is not his plan alone;
It was born in the brain of La Barre.
and Cassion merely executes his or
ders. I have here the written Instruc
tions under which he operates."
I held out to him the page from La
Barre's letter.
CHAPTER XX.
The Court-Martial.
De Tonty took the paper from my
hand, glanced at it, then lifted his eyes
inquiringly to mine.
" 'Tis in the governor's own hand.
How came this in your possession?"
"I found it in Cassion's private bag
last night, under the berth yonder.
Later he came and carried the bag
away, never suspectmg it bad been
opened. Ills commission was there
also. Read it, monsieur."
He did so slowly, carefully, seeming
to weigh every word, his eyes darken
ing, and a flush creeping Into his swar
thy cheeks.
"Madame," he exclaimed at last,
"I care not whether the man be your
husband, but this Is a damnable con
spiracy, hatched months ago in Que
Dec." I bowed my head.
"Beyond doubt, monsieur."
"And you found nothing more no
documents taken from nugo Chevet?"
"None, monsieur; they were either
destroyed in accordance with La
Barre's instructions, or else M. Cas
sion has them on his person."
"But I do not understand the rea
son for such foul treachery. What oc
curred back in New France to cause
the murder of Chevet and this attempt
to convict D'Artigny of the crime?"
''Sit here, monsieur," I said, my
voice trembling, "and I will tell you
the whole story. I must tell you, for
there is no one else In Fort St Louis
whom I can trust."
I told the tale simply, concealing
nothing, not even my growing love for
D'Artigny. The man listening inspired
my utmost confidence I sought his re
spect and faith. As I came to the end
for a moment he remained motionless
and silent his eyes grave with thought.
" 'Tis a strange, sad case," he said
finally, "and the end is hard to deter
mine. I believe you, madame, and
honor your choice. The case is strong
against D'Artigny; even your testi
mony Is not for his defense. Does M.
Casslon know you saw the young man
that night?"
"He has dropped a remark or two
which show suspicion. Possibly .some
one of the men saw me outside the
Mission house, and made report."
"Then he will call vou as -a wit
ness. If I know the nature of Cas
sion his plan of trial Is a mere form,
although doubtless he. will ask the
presence of Captain de Baugis and M.
de.la Durantaye. Neither will oppose
him. so long as he furnishes the -proof
necessary to convict. He will give his
evidence, and call the Indian, and per
chance a soldier or two, who will
swear to whatever he wishes. If need
ed, he may bring you in also to
strengthen the case. D'Artigny will
make no defense, because he has no
witnesses, and because he has a fool
notion that be might compromise you
by telling the whole truth."
"Then there is no hope; nothing we
can do?"
"No. madame; not now. I shall not
be consulted, nor asked to be present
X am under strict order from La Salle
not to oppose La Barre's officers, and,
even if I were disposed to disobey my
chief, I possess no force with which to
act. I have but ten men on whom I
could rely, while they number over
forty." He leaned closer, whispering,
"Our policy is to wait, and act after
the prisoner has been condemned."
"How? You mean a rescue?"
"Ay, there lies the only hope. There
is one man here who can turn the
trick, ne is D'Artlgny's comrade and
friend. Already he has outlined a olan
to me, but I gave no encouragement.
Yet now that I know the truth, I shall
not oppose. Have you courage, ma
dame, to give him your assistance?
'Tis like to be a desperate ventu'e. '
I drew a deep breath, but with no
sense of fear.
"Yes, monsieur. Who Is the man I
am to trust?"
"Francois de Boisrondet, the one
who led the rescue party last night"
"A gallant lad."
"Ay, a gentleman of France, a dar
ing heart. Tonight"
The door opened, and the figure of a
man stood outlined against the bright
er glow without. De Tonty was on bis
feet fronting the newcomer, ere 1 even
realized it was Casslon who stood
there, glaring at us. Behind him two
soldiers waited in the sunshine.
"What Is the meaning of this, M.
de Tonty?" he exclaimed, with no pre
tense at friendliness. "A rather early
morning call, regarding which I was
ml lfl :
11 Il iiMW
I Stood Silent, Fascinated.
not even consulted. Have husbands
no rights in this wilderness paradise?"
"Such rights as they uphold." re
turned the Italian, erect and motion
less. "I am always at your service,
M. Casslon. Madame and I have con
versed without permission. If that be
crime, I answer for it now, or when
you will."
It was in Cassion's heart to strike.
I read the desire in his eyes, in the
swift clutch at his sword hilt; but the
sarcastic smile on De Tonty's thin lips
robbed him of courage.
" 'Tis best you curb your tongue,"
he snarled, "or I will have you in the
guardhouse with D'Artigny. I com
mand now."
"Bo I hear. Doubtless you could con
vict me as easily."
"What do you mean?"
"Only that your whole case is a tis
sue of lies."
"Pah! you have her word for Jt, no
doubt. But you will sing a different
song presently. Ay, and it will be her
testimony which will hang the villain."
"What Is this you say, monsieur
my testimony?"
"Just that the tale of what you
saw in the Mission garden at St. Ig
nace. Sacre, that shot hits, does It!
You thought me asleep, and with no
knowledge of your escapade, but I had
other eyes open that night, my lady.
Now will you confess the truth?"
"I shall conceal nothing, monsieur."
" 'Twill be best that you make no at
tempt," he sneered, his old braggart
spirit reasserting itself as De Tonty
kept silent. "I have guard here to
escort you to the commandant's office."
"You do me honor." I turned to De
Tonty. "Shall I 10, monsieur?"
"I think it bes, madame," he replied
soberly, his dark eyes contemptuously
surveying Cassion. "To refuse would
only strengthen the case against the
prisoner. M. Cassion will not, I am
sure, deny me the privilege of accom
panying yu. Permit me to offer my
arm."
I did not glance toward Cassion, but
felt no doubt as to the look on his face;
yet he would think twlee before laying
hand on this stern soldier who had
offered me protection. The guard at
the door fell aside promptly, and per
mitted us to pass. Some order was
spoken in a low tone, and they fell be
hind with rifles at trail. Once in the
open I became, for the first time,
.iware of irregular riGa firing, and ob
served in surprise men posted upon a
narrow staging along the side of the
log stockad.
"Is the fort King attacked?" I
asked.
"There has been firing for some
days." he answered "but no real at
tack. The savages merely hide yon
der amid the rocks and woods, and
strive to koep us from venturing down
the trail. Twice we have made sor
tie, and driven them away, but 'tis
a useless waste of fighting." He called
to a man posted above the gate: "How
Is It this morning, Jules?"
The soldier glanced about cautious
ly, ke.yilng his head below cover.
,'TG JtE CONTINUED )
PROPER PLANNING OF CITIES
Method Has a Deeper Significance)
Than the Mere Laying Out of Hu
man Dwelling Places.
"I am very glad to hear that among
the objects of the American Civic as
sociation Is that of getting rid of the
Iwpresslon that city planning has
mainly to do with the large cities of
hundreds of thousands of inhabitants,
and indeed that is not solely concerned '
Vith these cities, bat that one of the
main functions of city planning is to
deal with the small town and even,
vith the small village community," so
sld Mr. Thomas Adams, the well
known English town planning expert
now civic adviser to the commission of
conservation of Canada, in opening an
address at the convention of the Amer
ican Civic association on the subject
"The Economic Basis of City Plan
ning." Continuing, Mr. Adams iuld: "Town
planning does not deal with the beau
tlficatloh of the town but town plan
ning, I should rather like to put it
includes the embellishment of the ex
ternal features of the town both in
regard to its public buildings and in
regard to Its transportation. But these
matters are only part of what should
be properly regarded as city planning.
And when we come to analyze the
fundamental things In city life we find
that really we ought not to begin with
the embellishment or with the beauti
ful in the city, but that after the route
of civil life, the two things that matter
are the industrial and the residential;
are the factories and home life. Youi
want not only to look forward for the
wxt thirty, forty, or fifty years in re-,
gard to your park systems, but yoir
want to make sure that in the next
forty, fifty or sixty years every per
son who builds a new home will be se
cured against disease which may be
created by anything that can be pre
vented. You want to make sure that
the conditions shall be healthy in re
gard to housing as well as in regard
; to the general civic aspect of the city."'
IS RIGHT TO ANNOY SACRED?
How Jersey City Courts, by a Recent
Decision, Allow Property Owners
to Exalt Ugliness.
The sacred right of the property
nolder to make himself a public nui
sance is reaffirmed by the decision of
the New Jersey supreme court, says ,
the New York Tribune. It appear?
that this right was menaced by a stat- '
ute which made It unlawful to disr
figure with advertisements the Pali
sades along the Hudson. The statute
Is found to be unconstitutional on the
ground that the legislator may deprive
the owner of the right to use his land
for such purpose only when the 5lgnsr
' are a menace to public health or mor
als.
This kind of individual liberty is
one of the unfortunate limitations un
der which our whole system labors.
The public has other interests to con
serve besides those of health, safety
and morality. It is a mark of indif
ference to beauty bordering on barbar
ism that esthetic considerations re
ceive so little recognition in the eye
of the law. The zealousncss with which
the courts are bound to protect the in
dividual in the use of that which is his
own permits the defacing of our scenes
of natural beauty with every conceiv
able form of hideousness.
Something more than .a right of
property is invaded when one Indi
vidual may ruin for millions of people
the beauty of a piece of nature's handi
work. Don'ts for Homebuilders.
if you want to prevent trouble and
Inconvenience after you have moved
into the new home, observe these
"don'ts" while building:
Don't cut down any trees on the
building site until you are ready to be
gin building, and then only enough ta
provide room for the house. This pre
vents unnecessary sacrifice, and after
the house has been lived in for a
while, one can easily determine what
others must go.
Don't, with a white interior trim,.'
have other than quartered white oak
floors.
Don't when finishing the interior of
the new house be unmindful of the
quality of the paint used thereon.
Paint serves two ends, It protects and'
Improves the appearance of the house,
and the one ingredient in its (Kaposi
tlon necessary to the fulfilrae.V this,
purpose is zinc. I 1
For City lmprovem?KA
The College of Forestry conned. )ed'
with Syracuse university has exam
ined and outlined methods of Improve
ment for public shade trees in 26
cities and towns in the state of New
Yopk. It has been found that in the
cities there are 20,000 miles of streets
of a character capable of sustaining a
growth of 5,000,000 shade trees which
can be made worth $100,000,000 in In
creased property value. Buffalo is
thoroughly alive to the possibilities of
the situation and spends annually
about $75,000 for the planting and
conservation of shade trees along It;
public streets.