The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-01-14
CHAPTER XIV
A BETRAYAL.

and she felt the awkwardness of being
thrown into his society; then, that III S
element of discord should come to dis
tUrb the last hours at La Pep-n ere
hours which We're passing so quickiy-It
was too provoking. True, she did not
sec much Of Raoul, indeed she felt lit
tie aggrieVed at his apparent avoidance
of her, which. under the circumstance: :,
she thought unkind. He was very busy,
he told her, and the outdoor concerns
of the property required his most par
ticular attention; yet when she came
across him now and then, he seemed to
be roaming about aimlessly enough,
without taking heed of his surroundings.
When Raoul came in at dinner time
and found CASTOR standing by the W n
dow, talking to his mother and Molly,
he made no effort to conceal his indiS-
nant astcnishment.
when did you arrive?' he asked, as
the count smilingly waved his hand to-
wards him in token of greeting. Why
did you not write to let me know you
were coming?'
1T was little surprise I prepared for
you returned CASTOR cOmposedly. I'm
expected pleasures are always the sweet
est, helm. mademoiselle? You must al
low me TO felicitate you on your eXtraor-
binary good fortune" he added in
lower tone, as Molly passed him. My
mother tells me it was quite unlocked
more.
Raoul glanced quickly at his sister,
and thought he detected faint blush on
her sallow cheeks; his own famed with
a sudden, angry shame, and he followed
the others to the table without a word.
In the evening, when, according to his
recently established custom, Raoul was
wandering about out of doors, he was
surprised to hear quick, light steps fol
lowing him, and, turning, saw Gaston's
figure dimly defined in the dusk.
Are you not afraid OF catching coid?'
asked SauVigny sardonically.
Nc said CASTOR a little doubtfully.
He turned up his collar and buttonad
his coat but, on second thought, took his
uncle's arm persuasively.
1T is certainly rather chilly" he oh
served shivering. Besides we should
be more at ease indoors. I want to dis
cuss an important matter with you,
uncle, and do not wish to be interrupt
ed"
Raoul led the way to the house. and.
a Gaston's request, to his own room.
Grouping about amid the heterogeneous
collection on the table, he found the
matches, and silently trimmed and light
ed the ricketty old lamp. His nephew
was startled by his face as the fame
suddenly fell on it. That it was lined and
worn was nothing-he had often noticed
that before, but it had the look Of ona
who had gone through immense physical
agony; it was pallid, wasted exhausted
Raoul might have just arisen from an
illness OF months dura ton. There was
an unnatural brill,ancy in his eyes, his
lips were white and parched, as though
an inward fire were consuming him, and
whsn Castor irpulsively stretching for
ward touched his hand, he found L burn
ing.
''Vous avez la fierre, mon onc!e," he
cried
What is that to you?" returned Raoul
hastily Withdrawing his hand. and turn
ing towards him fiercely Du reste. [
am perfectly well. Kindly tell me at
81 once what you wish to say"
lie sat down, and leaning his head on
his hand gaZed inQuiringly at his nephew
The young man was conscious of a Ger
tain remose. HE thinks I am going to
make a confession to him." he said to
himself, wondering if Raoul always took
his peccadilloes-the knowledge Of which
usually came to him through third per
son-so much to heart
Uncle, be at ease" he said quickly.
Il am not going to tell you anything that
will distress you, or to ask for money"
1t is as Well interrupted the other
grimly, for l have none to give
ITEMS, how marvellously things ar
range themselves. Well my dear uncle
your anXieties will henceforth be at an
end. l have made up NY mind to settle
down and lead a new fe''
Il am glad to hear it," commented
Raoul drily.
Yes, by a merciful interposition of
Providence, it is now possible for me to
Go So 1 have decided to marry the little
Irish girl
His uncle sat silent and motionless, ex-
cept that the fingers of the hand on
which his chin was resting crept forward
so as to hide the lower part of his face:
but his eyes gazed unwaveringly at Gas
ton.
"As I remarked once before" pursued
the latter "she is an adorable little per-
son-with this pretty fortune she becomes
Incompatible. My dear mother, who
wrote to acquaint me with the particulars
and 10 advise me to secure the prize, tells
me she believes Miss Mackenzie's family
to be an ancient one. So you see nothing.
is wanting. 1 presume" he added, with
an engaging smile, that I have your
approval?"
MY approval is, of course, thing you
value highly" growled his uncle from
behind his mask.
Can you doubt it? In the past. per
perhaps, however, I know we cannot fail
to agre on this point, so now, my dear
uncle, l may count on your assistance?
/ believe Miss Mackenzie leaves in two
days Tomorrow, therefore it will be
well for YOU to demand her hand for me-
Il" cried Raoul. suddenly dropping the
protecting fingers, and revealing 4 face
that worked with fury
but certainly" responded CASTOR. in
genuine amazement Are you not the
head of the family? On whom but vcu
could such duty properly-poss;bly de-
volve?"
How dare you insult me by surprising
that l will mix myself up in such an
affair."" thundered Raoul. IF you are
so far lost to all sense of honor and
decency to propose to this girl a week
after she comes into a fortune"
Saprisu! one must beat the :ron while
1t is hot" interpolated the unaba.hed
CASTOR. I'm such case as this one cam
not afford to waste time-someone Else
might carry her off,
A girl" continued his uncle. without
needing him, whom YOU have previously
outraged by unbecoming attentions. to
whom YOU have made it clear that, how
ever much you might admire you did
not mean to marry her
"Parfaitement INTERRUPTED his
nephew, smiling blandly. There lies the
strong point in my case. I smothered
my passion as soon rs 7 found it Of
Tended the charming Miss's exquisite det-
icacy. I even withdrew from her nrox-
imity-I fed. But now that cur union
becomes possible" he paused holding
up his foretinger inpresSively-"now thar
1 can permit myself to fall at her feet
will not the fact of my devotion and
love for her in the days,when she was
poor and friendless plead in my favor?'
How dare you" cried Raoul carried
away by his Indignation how dare Won
speak of love in such a connection?''
TIA. ia, ia. what takes you this avan-
ing?" said CASTOR. Struggling his should
r. ers. and lighting his cigarette.