The Bottineau pioneer., 1893-05-13
Chapter XI.-Continued.)

Chapter xI.-Continued.)
II know it, and God forbid that 1
should insult her by word or thought
still more, by an offer of marriage
where love is wanting" He was silent
a moment, then bursting out with
savage energy, he exclaimed, cit is
Alice love-Alice I will have"
Remember your promise
do you think me capable of perse-
cutting women?' he asked, with fierce
dignity. "No; but since you will not
speak Tor me, must make my money
speak. Perhaps she will listen to that.
AS to this cursed rival"
'Barbejean!'
- What are you af. aid of, when do
not even know his nameY' an argument
which silenced me. The disappointed
lover strode> up and down like Gagged
lion, striking the stones with his heels
till the old tower echoed the sound,
finishing by throwing himself down,
burying his head in the masses of ivy,
and sobbing like child. Suddenly he
rose, calm, resolute and cool in voice
and manner. Monsieur, in the very
spot where we now stand once dwelt a
Norman against whom everything
seemed to conspire Yet he attained
his end. am neither duke nor prince,
but [ belong to the same race, and I
too will succeed!'
XII
The next morning I called upon Ste
phen and found him busy preparing
for his concert, for the success of
which he showed such anxiety that I
expressed my surprise. ''Take me to
some retired place, and I will tell you
why" he said.
We walked out little way into the
country, and sat down under a clrmp
of aspens in sight of the sea- ''You re-
member that when my father died he
left me only Il title encountered with
9 heavy debt, to repay which 1 have
been obliged to mortgage my future
career as artist. How many times I
have gone dinnerlesS that I might
have gloves to wear upon the stage.
how many times have l felt almost
crushed by trials that would count for
little now, if could feel they were at
an endv'
"And are they not nearly SOP
"No; I had assumed too heavy bur-
den, that payment of hundred thousand
francs, with only the aid of my violin.
However, if Lame had helped me. it
would have been done before now" =
'How?''
'Why, loved her long ago, or
thought did, and asked her to be my
wife, and by her wonderful economy
aid me in my task. Alice was then only
child, and Lame said her first duty
was to her sister. When I insisted she
steadily refused, for she did not love
me, SO 1 began my artistic career
alone, and though made much money,
my habits Of luxurious living were
strong upon me and drew largely from
my income. Last spring all was paid
but twenty-five thousand francs. I
came to see Lame. Alice had just re-
turned from school, and to see her was
to love her. One evening when we
three We're alone, said, acting upon a'
sudden impulse, T4iane, it is written IN
the book of fate that one of you is to
be the Viscountess of Gregory. Will
you give me Alice?' Alice showed her
surprise by her heightened color but
when Liane, taking her face between
her hands, looked steadily into her eys-
and asked if she loved me, the kiss
Alice gave her and the quick-falling
tears made answer My romance, you
see, has been but simple one'
During this story l watched Stephen
closely, and never had seep nObler
face, or one more expressive of deep
and tender love. But how deceived he
was in regard to Iiane!
'What did Liane say?'' inquired
"She was greatly moved, but gave
her ready consent, saying that Alice's
happiness was hers also. She stipu-e
lated, however, that we should not
marry until the debt was paid. I then
went to Germany, but the war-cloud
hung too dark over the country to
make my stay much of a success, so
that in four weeks time l had accll-
mulated only ten thousand francs. I
then went to Baden, and one evening
tried a game of rouge ct nOir, and
lost"
"Are you gambler"
"Not at all. 1t was only my eager
ness to hasten my wedding-day which
tempted me. But that is not all. I
gave my note of three months time to
the last creditor just before leaving
Paris, so you can fancy my consterna
ton when saw the pitiless rake Of
the croupier draw up my ALL"
''What did you do then?'
'I returned to Paris, where / found
my note had been protested weeks be-
fore. I did not dare see my creditor,
but sent Marasca, the Italian who
acts as my agent and accompanist, and
he obtained q promise to wait---for a
money consideration, Of course. But l
am very like DamOcles, and do not
dare to tell Lame of my trouble. What
do you advise r"
Conceal the truth. Gambling Is a
vice which frightens all honest souls"
IT shall never try 1t again. But what
shall say to Liane?
.s.Tell her your trip has not been so
successful as you hoped, and that the
marriage cannot take place till winter.
Than 20 to England and Belgium, and
il by that time you have not secured
the amount you need, ] Will arrange
for the rest. Will that do?'
'Yes,' he said, grasping my hand;
"God only knows how foundly love
Alice. &# .s
s5555s XIII.
The evening for the concert arrived.
Never had there been seen q more
numerous or brilliant throng within the
Casino G Tr0Hyille. Visitors, TOWN.
magistrates and clergy had assembled.
to do honor to the illustrious artist.
Several carriages were tationed before
the door, when q sudden swapping OF
Whips was heard, and 9 magnificent