The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-12-11
BOOK III.
The Honor of De Wire.
CHAPTER XVI.
.tThou Shalt Not Covet.O

Anne de Rohan had admitted to herself
as she had watched Grafton before he re-
covered consciousness that she loved him.
II there had been any doubt in her mind
OF the permanence Of her feelings of by
Eone days and their development from the
" childish devotion to the deep passionate
love which filled her soul. the tell-tale kiss
she had pressed upon his forehead when
she thought him dying would have UNI
deceived her. And she realized 1t more
entirely at that moment when she saw him
lying white and still at her feet in the hall.
That something OF her feeling had ex-
, pressed itself in her looks she did not
- doubt.
But it is one thing to admit fact in
the secret recesses Of ones own conscious
- ness. or even to look ones feelinge, and
another to have 1t proclaimed on the
= housetops. She bitterly resented de vi
tres impulsive allegation, and that 1t was
true but enhanced her indignation against
him and against herself. How could she.
a de Rohan, love this commoner of Aneri-
~ oman, bestow- her affections upon
her heart to a man who wore an
other wonlan's picture above his own?
Everything stood in the way of any future
relationship whatever between them.
- And yet how n1agnif1cently he had come
: to the rescue of de Vitre How nobly
since! o God, it was true She had be-
|trayed herself: the world would know that
she had given away her love to this Eng
: l1sh offtcer-ap enemy. She felt and saw
the pointing fingers of her society,"; she
heard the word ''Traitress! Traitress"
In the air. She would not, she could not:
Yet, how he had looked at her when
he clutched her dress with that fevered
question, Are you In love with Monsieur
de Vitre?' She was afraid of herself. If
he should recognize her and plead with
her could she resist him? Nos he feared
not, she was sure she could not She
loved him too we'll to do SO. OF that
point she was absolutely certain, and of
another fact consequent upon the first. as
we'll. She did not love Denis de ~Vftre.
She admired. respected, esteemed, even
liked him-but love. no. And yet here
was a safeguard Betrothed to him she
could better struggle against the pleadings
OF her heart. She did not realize what her
long-dormant feelings. toward Philip
would be. or how powerful a hold he was
to have upon her.
She would make the sacrifice, she
swiftly resolved. She was sadly com Z
promised In her society. anyway. by her
visit to the chateau and by her public
advocacy of de .Eitre. AS for the rest, he
was a gentleman Of position and rank
originally of a Breton family scarcely less
ancient than her own. He had given
evidence of HIS heroisnn, and he loved
France. She would do it to protect her
self against Grafton. De Wire should
be her anchor.
AS these thought passed with the rapid
ity of lightning itself through her bra in,
she rose to her feet, leaving Grafton. who
already showed signs Of returning CON
seriousness. to the ministra tions of jean
Renaud and Josette. Better make assur-
ance double sure against her heart
".Morsieur eho 1,; u
clearly enough to be heard by all the.
room. you forget yourself! How could
l love this stranger. an enemy of France?
You are not yourself: these trials have
bewildered you, and I have but one an
swer to your charge. You have asked me
again and again to--to-in. short, mon
sieur. are you STILL ,.
'"Mademoiselle de Rollan!" cried de
Vitre. clasping her hand. lis twill you
Monsieur. I esteem you. I regard you,
I admire you, am willing, with the con-
sent of my grandfather the marquis--to-
monsieur de Ran1esay.' cried de Wire,
turning to the little group, who had been
regarding the couple intently. "Madem-
oiselle de Rohan makes me the happiest Of
men! She deigns to honor me by promis-
ing her hand -.
Look to your English friend, Monsieur
ernor, land uuickly!'' -
"Maledictions upon me-" cried de Vitre
kneeling beside the two servants. "A
surgeon, quick!'
Watch over him we'll. mademoisel1e,"
cried de Wire. as the soldiders bore him
from the room. Il owe him much-every-
tting!"
i Trust me, monsieur" replied the
young girl. Monsieur lie Gouveneur,
Lieutenant de Wire, gentlemen, I bid
You adieu!'
With a sweeping courtesy she left the
ROOM. ...
Attended by Josette and guarded by
Jean Renaud. with brimming eyes and
q leaden heart in her BOSOM she walked
by the litter the soldiers bore it
through the street. With downcast head
she moyedseyet no movement of her
wounded charge escaped her. - Grafton
lay on the stretcher with lais eyes closed
Once. as the bearers stumbled, he opened
them with a sharp exclama ton of pain
Instantly she bent over him. AS her
gaze fell upon his face he slowly turned
his head away, as If the sight were too
much for him and he could not; bear to
look upon her. .. -
n Are you In pain. monsieur?''-
All, Mademoiselle de Couedic!' he
answered, "such pain as trust you may
never know
why did YOU turn your head from
me?'' r.
= t'Mademoselle:" he answered. SOFTLY,
still not looking at her. II am thinking
Of some pregnant words In an old book
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