The Red Cloud chief., 1897-09-03

Sie looked at him In wonder. Al.
no." good and kind he was! Knowing
her miserable birth, seeing her friend
less and almost cast away, he would
still ,e beside her. to comfort and cher
ish | n with his deep affection. II she
had ever doubted his sincerity, could
she d "ubt 1t now?
Hair an hour later Caussidiere was
walking rapidly in the direction OF
Armand, le Castle He looked supreme
ly self-sntisfcd and happy. and humm-
ed a ligNt French air as he went.
Arriving at the door. he knocked,
and the serving-woman appeared In an
swer to the
Miss H~etherington IL you please"
"You Gamma see her" was the sharp
reply. whats your business?"
"Give her this card. II you please.
and tell her I must see her without
delay"
After some hesitation the woman car
ried the card away. first shutting the
door unceremoniously in the visitors
face. Presently the door opened again,
and the woman beckoned him In.
He followed her along the gloomy
Hobbies. and up stairs. till they reached
the desolate boudoir which he had en-
tered on a former occasion.
The woman knocked.
Come in," said the voice Of her mis-
trcss.
Caussidiere entered the chamber,
and found Miss Hethcrington. wrapped
in an old-fashioned morning gown,
seated in an armchair at her escri-
toire. Parchments, loose papers and
packets of old letters lay scattered be-
fore her. She wheeled her chair sharp
ly round as he entered, and fixed her
eyes upon the Frenchman's face. She
looked inexpressibly wild and CHASTITY.
but her features wore an expression Of
indomitable resolution.
Caussidiere bowed politely, then.
turning softly, he closed the door.
What brings you here?" demanded
the lady Of the Castle.
81 wish to see you. my lady" he re-
hCu Fhots " ~ tuo thot you
are better, and apologize for having
disturbed you on such a day"
Miss Hetherington knitted her brows
and pointed with trembling f~oreinger
to a chair.
"Sit down" she said.
Caussidiere obeyed her, and sat
down, hat in hand. There was a pause,
broken at last by the lady's q%uerulous
voice.
"Weel, speak! Have you lost your
tongue, man? What's your will with
me?"
Crusaders replied with extreme
suavity:
II am anxious, my lady. that all mis-.
understanding should cease between
us. To prove my sincerity, I will give
you a piece Of news I have asked Miss
Amman to marry me. and with your
consent she Is quite willing"
What" cried Miss Hetheringtou,
half rising from her chair, and then
sinking back with a gasp and 4 moan.
Have We dared?"
Caussidiere gently inclined his head.
And Marjorie-she has dared to ac-
cept We, without warning me?"
Pardon me. she Is not aware that
you have any right to be consulted. I,
however, who acknowledge your right,
have come in her name to solicit your
kind appreciation"
"And what do you threaten, man. II
l say no no-a hundred times nor"
Caussidicre shrugged his shoulders.
"Parbleu, | threaten nothing; / am a
gentleman, as ! have told you. But
should you put obstacles In my way, 1t
may be unpleasant for all concerned"
Miss Hetherington rose to her feet.
livid with rage. and shook her extend
ed hands In her tormentor's face.
ITS weel for you I'm no a man! II
I were a man, we would never pass that
door again living! I defy ye-I scorn
We! Ye coward. to come here aud mo-
lest a sick woman!'
She tottered as she spoke, and fel,
back into her chair.
ITO BE coNTINURD.)