Brookings weekly register. (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1898-1903, 1899-04-06

He quietly drew her arm In his. anC
lad the way from the cliff to the high
way, and TO beguile her agitation, hi
began calmly discussing the last poem
they had read together. violante lis.
tened to the calm, sweet tones, hall
wondering If she were not lost in tho
mazes of a dream. But as they ap-
preached the chateau avenue she rous-
ed herself.
You must not go step farther or
you may be seen, o, Bernard, 1t was
thoughtiess in me, for the sake of en-
joying your company, to permit it. You
must return this very moment"
Nay, Lady Violante, you are need
lessly alarmed You forget that 1t Is
nearly midnight. Count Emile does
not play lover or eavesdropper at that
hour, does he?"
VILLAIN! he is here to speak for
himself" thundered voice behind
them, as Count Germain stepped forth
from the screen of myrtle bush.
With faint scream Violante flung
herself before Bernard, who, drawing
himself up to his haughtiest height,
said calmly:
You give me an ugly name for an
Introductory one. This fair companion,
take 1t, demands somewhat more gen.
tlemanly bearing, or / might hurl It
back"
! Coward" sneered the Count, who
In truth was nearly beside himself
with rage. Lady Violante's presence
is fine pretext for your safety, but
1t will not avail you. Violante, as my
betrothed wife, l command you to re-
turn to the chateau; another time /
can express better to you my indigna-
tion at this unladylike conduct. Go
now"
His words aroused the proud blood
Of which Count Beauvais boasted, even
in Violante's gentle veins. She step
ped back to Bernard's side, while she
returned scornfully:
"Your betrothed wife. indeed, sir,
but this is the first time you have per-
sonally alluded to the subject. I am
pleased at last to have an opportunity
to give an answer which my fathers
partiality shall not soften. Your wife,
please heaven, l will never be: I loved
you not before; henceforward, from
this night. detest your
Count Emile laughed, a sarcastic,
bitter anger shaking the tones till
they were but an absurd mockery of
| mirth.
Doubtless, fair violante, this ro-
mantle rescuer of distressed damselS,
this midnight gallant, has usurped the
claim that is rightfully mine! 1t Is
fortunate / am warned Of these freaks.
My lady, the Countess Germain, will
need tight rein, and, by my sword,
she shall have it,"
Take care! you will overstep even
my patience" exclaimed Bernard,
"this cowardly threatening to a noble
lady, l will not listen to in silence
"And who are your" retorted the
Count, fiercely; have I not already
compromised Lady Violante's fair
name by this clandestine meeting?
how do l know but you have sought
to win her lover"
| Bernard folded his arms in silent
contempt, but to his establishment vio-
Latte answered for him:
"Count Emile, you shall have a fair
understanding, II you persist in urg-
Ing your suit, the consequences will
be on your own head. do not love
you, I shall never love you. for my
whole heart Is given to him who saved
my life, to him who stands before you.
That such love is hopeless, need
not tell one who knows my father; but
surely, II you can be generous, you
will respect my unhappiness and leave
me unmolested"
The Quivering voice, betraying how
much the words cost her, might have
moved some hearts. but Count Emile
was only more deeply incensed.
Fine talk Is this to my very face.
/ would Count Beauvais could hear
this maidenly speech from her whom
! have looked upon as my wife, from
the earliest days of childhoodw he eX-
claimed. bitterly, and then turning
fercely to Bernard, he added, ut ID
to your meddling presence owe all
this, q nameless adventursr, never ven
turing to show your face In honest day
light. BY heaven. I will see It nowv'
He hastily drew q small box from
his pocket. ignited roll of paper into
flame. and held up the impromptu
torch close TO Bernard's face, which
the starlight but dimly revealed. A.
the fame frightened and shed its glare
over the calm. proud features. Count
Emile suddenly ground his teeth:
Hugo. by heaven"
Eyes. Hugo" repeated Bernard scorn-
fully, "and what then, Count Emile
Germain?"
The count had been getting more
and more furious In his anger. He
cast aside every restraint now, and
suddenly drawing a pistol, he exclaim-
ed. hoarsely:
This, them and fired.
L Hia agitation prayonfaH accurate