Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-09-09
9!MZ4*HEART DENISE !
CHAPTER TX.
LA CooUnLE's MESSAGE.
... By.
S. LEVETT YEATS


"~/OU! De Lorgnac" | gasped.
Even l." he said. II
thought you knew. Are you
none the worse for your ad-
venture Of last night:"
Il am quite well, thanks to Cod
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.
II prefer to stand. thank you. NJ. lie
Chevalier" And then there was q 81
lence. during which know not what
passed through De Lorgnac's mind.
But IL was fighting with myself to
prevent my heart getting the better Of
me. for If so ! would have to humble
myself. a daughter of Mieux. Mon.
sieur broke the silence himself.
Denise. give you my word of hon.
or that l would not have intruded on
you but that you asked to see me and
l thought you knew whom you wished
TO see. Besides, felt that | owed a
little TO myself. You have accused mo
of being diShonored gentleman, Of
being little less than a common bravo,
of wedding you to your misery for
your estates" He came forward a
step and looked me full in the face
with his clear, strong eyes. "As God
Is my Witness" he went on, you are
utterly mistaken. l am going today
OH an affair the issue of which no one
can foresce. Think. Would | go with
a lie on my lips? Answer me-tell me.
Whatever else you may think. you do
not believe this.
l was fumbling with one Of his
gloves and could not meet his look.
You put me in difficult position.
monsieur This is your own house"
He looked about him with bitter
smile. Yes. 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 was silent. could not
bring myself to say what he wanted.
And now, too, it was not only pride
that was holding me back; felt that
if l gave him the answer he wished,
manlike, he would begin to press his
love on me, and was not prepared for
this I did not know my own feelings
toward him, but of one thing | was
sure-I would not be bound by hollow
vows that were forced upon me. and so
l fenced.
This adventure of yours. monsieur
is it so very dangerous"
1T is not the danger l am thinking
Of; it is your faith in my honor. No
man is blameleSs, and least Of all |.
own l was wrong-that ] sinned
grievouSly in marrying you as | have.
My excuse is that love you. That is
a thing | cannot control. but ! will do
all can to make reparation. 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 forward:"
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 its object as you do without a
struggle? II believe one thing. must
believe all, monsieur. cannot believe
u 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 | saw his sunburned face