The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1900-192?, 1902-07-22
CHAPTER TX.
LA CoQUILLE's MESSAGE.

Even l." he said. 81 |
thought you knew. Are you |
none the worse for your ad- |
venture of last night?"
81 am quite well, thanks to God |
and thanks to you," was about to |
add, but my lips could not frame the |
words and felt myself beginning to
tremble. Monsieur noticed this.
II am afraid you overrate your
strength. Do sit down." he said kind
ly.
Il prefer to stand, thank you, M. lie
Chevalier." And then there was a 81
ience, during which l know not what
passed through De Lorgnac's mind.
But II was fighting with myself to
prevent my heart getting the better of
me- for if so would have to humble
myself, daughter of Mieux! Mon
sieur broke the silence himself.
Denise, | give you my word Of hon.
or that would not have intruded on
you but that you asked to see me and
/ thought you knew whom you wished
to see. Besides, felt that / owed a
little to myself. You have accused me
of being a dishonored gentleman, of
being little less than common bravo,
of wedding you to your misery for
your estates" He came forward
step and looked me full in the face
with his clear, strong eyes, CAS- God
is my Witness" he went on, "you are
utterly mistaken. / am going today
on an affair the issue of which no one
can foresee. Think! Would go with
lie on my lips? Answer me-tell me.
Whatever else you may think, you do
not believe this"
was fumbling with one of his
gloves and could not meet his look.
"You put me in a difficult position,
monsieur. This is your own house"
He looked about him with bitter
smile. Eyes, it is my house; hardly
the house to which one would bring
the heiress of Mieux. But is that your
answer to me?"
And still 1 was silent. could not
bring myself to say what he wanted.
And now, too, it was not only pride
that was holding me back; l felt that
if 1 gave him the answer he wished,
manlike, he would begin to press his
this. did not know my own feelings
toward him, but of one thing l was
sure-I would not be bound by hollow
vows that were forced upon me, and so
I fenced.
"This adventure of yours, monsieur
ds it so very dangerous?"
''It is not the danger 1 am thinking
of; it is your faith in my honor. No
man is blameless, and least of all l.
l own l was wrong-that l sinned
.grievously in marrying you as l have.
My excuse is that / love you. That is
a thing l cannot control, but will do
all l can to make reparation. l will
never see you again, and the times are
such that you may soon be as free as
air. All that ask is this one thing"
But, monsieur, have you no proof
nothing to bring forwards?
81 have nothing to offer but my
word"
"Your word-your word? Is that all
you can say?
He bowed slightly in reply, but his
look was hungry for his answer. Still
could not give it and played with
time.
"You say you love me. Does love re-
sign it's object as you do-without a
struggle? If believe one thing, must
believe all, monsieur. | cannot believe
a profession Of love like yours"-how
false knew this to be-"and the rest
must follow"
He twisted at his mustache in the
old way, and l saw his sunburned face
grow as it were on a sudden wan and
haggard, and the pity that lies in all
women's hearts rose within me.
Monsieur lie Chevalier, if you were
to get the answer that you wanted
would you still adhere to your promise
and never see me again?"
81 have said so' he said hoarsely.
''Then, monsieur, let me tell you that
have found 1 was wrong and that l
do believe your word-nay, more, mon
sieur, I have found De Lorgnac to be
a gallant gentleman, whom Denise de
Mieux has to thank for her honor and
her life''-
"Denisew There was a glad note in
his voice, and in a moment he had
stepped up to me, and l had yielded
but that l wanted this king among
men to be king over himself
"a moment, monsieur. You have Civ
en- me your word; be strong enough to
keep it. / have learned to respect and
honor you, but / do not love you. You
must keep your word, De Lorgnac,
and go-until ask you to come back"
Without word he turned on his
heel and walked toward the door. But
I could not let him go like that, and
called to him. He stopped and turned
toward me, but made no further adj
vance, and then l went up to him with
my hand outstretched.
Monsieur, there is one thing more.
/ have the honor to be the wife of De
Lorgnac, and for the present / crave
your permission to make Lorgnac my
home Will you not grant me this re-