Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-06-11

Camille"
The voice was low and sweet and
very near. It drew his head up like a
call. Their eyes swan in one burning
hungry look; then there was little cry
from her, and In an instant he was
kissing away two tears that slowly
gathered and Us slowly fell down her
hot cheek. The woman had conquered
at last, in spite of the great men of
the kingdomr' For the man there was
no going back now. He had cast the
die forever. But she was woman,
and. having conquered, having justi-
fled herself. she was ready for sacri-
flee. Now, when the man had wiped
out all his past to begin life with her,
she was ready to immediate herself.
She loved him SO well that she thought
only Of his good.
Camille" she said, gently disengag-
ing herself, II am paid for those three
years. But now-now 1t must go no
further. The others parted US before
and made you appear unmanly-'twas
that which hurt me SO. Now 1t is that
part US, dear. You must go back. You
mustn't ruin your life. Think Of it oil
what would be against you. Go back.
Be a priest and r.
He was very pale and quiet. "And
you-whnt would you doT' he said.
"There is always the nunnery left"
che answered YEARLY, yet bravely.
"You think that I ought to go" he
questioned. "You wish me to 20,
Marie?"
"For your own good. Think of the
trouble that would come unless. You
will go, Gambler
His reply came with low force:
"Never, never! Remember how your
brother blamed himself, and she was
an actress, you said. To leave you
now, how would hate myself! New
er" His voice was strong and de-
cisive; there was no wavering. 'sThere
are hundred men, better men, to
take my place there, Marie, but is
there any to take my place here?" He
ran his arm around her waist. 'There
is no one," he added.
"No one, Camille" she said family.
The man had in vague yet direct
way, too, realized that to save bruis.
cd life at your feet is better than to
60 a-hunting for souls with the kings
men. He had wandered out to the
crossroads and had been motioned
back to his own door. The woman had
been willing to save the man, but her
heart beat for JOY that he did not go.
Come what will. Marie" he said
fervently, clasping her hands and gath.
ering her eyes to his, tive must not
part again."
you do not fear the church," she
asked.
II am manw he cried, drawing him
self up proudly.
Perhaps they will not She
paused in sweet confusion.
Perhaps they will not-marry r5?'
he said. plecing out the sentence. His
eyes flashed. "How dare they notY'
he added. II was not yet priest"
How strange that sounded in her
ears! Already they had begun new
life, and how proud she was of him,
the rebel for her sake! She ran hand
over his shoulder.
"You must so to the cure" she said,
ITO good NJ. Fabre. BE knows all. l
confessed to him."
He thought moment. Eyes. will
CO." he said. ~ will CO."
"You must go ut once-now," she
urged. Then she added hastily, 1--WE
have been here too long-I forgotr
With n laugh he picked up the over.
coat which had dropped from her
shoulders and carefully wrapped 1t
around her. He was big with energy,
emotion and courage. q rebel who
doubted not of success.
A moment afterward they were
about to issue into the other room.
"Wait," she said discreetly. "You
can go out another door leading from
this room, and the cure lives just above
on the top of the hill"
She opened a creaking door. He shut
1t for an instant, clasped her to his
breast, then opened the door again,
drew his cap from his pocket, put It
on and was gone into the frosty night.
She shut the door slowly and went
back to the dancing room. 1t was
nearly filled, and dancers were clam
oring for the fiddler and Marie. AS
she entered the room Alphonse strut
ted over to her.
Been for n walk with the fiddler in
my coat?" he said in a rough way.
Here is your coat, and thank you.
Alphonse," she said quietly and re-
provingly.
he flung 1t over his shoulder. LUCKY
that the fiddler wasn't wearing it or
I'd never seen 1t again. Perhaps he
was running Off with it and you stop
ped him. eh?" he added.
She turned on him with q still, cold
face, her eyes all fire. "Behind his
back, Alphonse. It's SO easy"
It'll say it to his face. Hes only a
tramp anyway"
you'll find him ut the cures" she
added colby, turning away to Medal
lion.
Anxiety showed in Medallion's eyes.
"What has happened?" he said.
She hesitated.
Il wish you would tell me-" he add
ed. Its better that a girl should not
go through some things alone"
Their eyes met. The love thu he
had once borne her mother gave now a
kind of fatherliness to his look. Vague
ly she felt it and with her fresh, frank
nature responded at once.
You remember the tory I told aft