The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-03-21

y
Clifford stood outside the chateau, con-
templating it in the finished state. The
last workman had left that very day.
The place was completed at last, just as
she wished, waiting for her the instant
she should become a bride
Presently he went into the house. He
stopped occasionally to rearrange pieces
of furniture, or to shift pictures, or to
stand helpless with admiration in the
doorway of Jeanne's boudoir. A room as
dainty as she herself. Everything was
very complete; everything very charm~
ing.
Clifford had reached his den and was
intent on filling his pipe when a voice
came ringing through the house. The
mans face frightened.
I'm in my den, Jean. Come in'' he
called. A moment later the newcomer
entered. 1t was evident that something
was amiss. Every line of the young fell
lows face expressed trouble. Clifford laid
down his pipe.
Nothing the matter with Jeanne?' he
demanded, quickly.
"She is quite well-but how did you
guess something was wrong; that l had
come to talk seriously with your"
What is it, Jean? Come along, out
with it,
Then the boy, very flushed and breath
ing hard began: I'VE should have told
you of this long ago. I, as head of our
house, should have spoken before your
engagement to my sister. But your court
ship was very brief" apologetcally.
Clifford shouted: ut doesn't take more
than one year for "a man 10 fall in love
with a girl like your sister," ne said.
mo. 1t took you only five days, mon
sieur.
"WeI, there was the house to build.
That has taken long enough Clifford pro-
tested. Then he sat up stiff1y, a sudden
fear leaping into his mind. Jeanne
doesn't want to break it off-she isn't
tired of me- Jean?"
jeans reply came quickly. "Oh. no.
She is afraid it is you who will want
to break it off, after you know what L
am here to tell She is very unhappy.
Then the boy, speaking with unusual
rapdity, blurted out his story. 1t was
of an ancient curse, pronounced by an
unhappy father upon an ancestor of his
and Jeanne'S.
You see, monsieur, this great grand
father of ours, Count Victor Pierre de
Marcy, was a very brutal man. He
drove young girl from his doors when
he should have protected her. Afterward
she returned, and to be rid of her this
second time he unloOsed a fierce dog,
whom no one but the count dared to ap-
proach, and permitted the creature to
pursue the frightened girl until she
sank exhausted and dying on her fathers
threshold. The father, wild with grief
and rage sought de Marcy and cursed
him. This was the curse: For three gen.
erations all the daughters Of the de Mar
cys in direct descent from Victor Pierre
should die in giving birth to their two
first children, the death not coming from
natural causes, but from fright at the
pursuit of a dog.
Jeanne and are direct descendants.
| We are also the third generation, and
therefore the last upon whom the curse
can fall. They say that it has been unfatl-
ing so far. Ny mother Jeans voice fall
tered. I'VE never saw her. She died
only a few hours after Jeanne and
were born. Her death killed my father
And while no one has ever said so di-
'rectly, we believe the curse worked her
end, for we have heard it was terrible
His story ended abruptly.
Clifford drew nearer He put one
hand affectionately on jeans shoulder.
rs Jeanne afraid?'
mot afraid. Only unwilling to marry,
unless YOU understand.
you know, Jean, we Americans do not
believe much min this sort of thing
lie said finally. Il have no uneasiness.
Unless Jeanne feels the risk is too great
oh, JEAN" he broke out suddenly, the i'm
GnenSS JOY OI iOSSSSSIuS HeT SelZlnS MN,
II can't give her up now, my Jeanne,
my little Jeanne"
The boy and the man faced each other
in perfect understanding. Their hands
gripped.
I'll tell her." called Jean, and he left
the house hastily.
Jeanne and Clifford were married on
Easter Sunday. It was perhaps the
greatest event the village had ever wit
messed. Clifford had brought florists
from Paris to decorate the church, and
musicians to furnish the music. There
were two extra priests present to give
selemnity to the ceremony. After the
service was over Jeanne and Clifford
received the people at the new chateu
and served dinner that lasted for hours.
When the last guest had departed, the
two, alone now for the first time all day,
wandered out into the open air. 1t was
deliciously warm. The soft wind was
laden with the perfume Of early violets,
the moon was riding clear sky. 1t was
very still; very beautiful. Suddenly Jeanne