The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-12-23

| If you Will take me- as I NJ am II rs will
80 with you to England, to America, to
the end OF the world, event
! But the sacrifice he asked with loves
egotism, and which She was 50 willing to
make with love aitruism, was not to be.
Some one comes! cried Josette in
great agitation, tfrusting her head
through the door. Quick, hide yourself,
monsieur, or you are lost!'''z I'LL.
| 1t would be impossible for him to carry
| out his plan Of lowering her from the
! tower now; it would take time, and they
must be unhindered.
go, go!" cried Anne, 'tyou will be
| captured-killed!"
without you! Never!'' answered
Grafton. ''You must conceal me-
But where?" So z$@. st
"There!' cried Josette, pointing to the
countess bed chamber s. IT'S the only
place."
She opened the door into the adjoining
| room. Grafton, pressing a kiss upon
Anne's cold cheek, sprang through it and
| closed 1t after him. He felt himself awed
in that peaceful haven of her maiden in
nocence, as If he had stepped into a
sanctuary, before a shrine. He remained
standing by the door, which he had left
slightly ajar, SO that he could both see
and hear all that went on In the other
room. Z: ri s%y~sE -.ez>. ,#-..- - - =
"Sit. mademoiselle. control yourself!'
cried Josette, as some one tapped at the
door. -. r.. 81.
| Anne, trembling violently, sank down on
the fauteuil, turning her face from the
light, and struggled resolutely for COM
posture, while Josette opened the door
Instantly young man dashed by her.
monsieur de 'Vftre," cried Anne, rising
to her feet in naughty surprise, chow dare
you come to my apartments unlimited,
sir?' -. i. ~ : -.-., .~-r =. ~,
''Mademoiselle,' cried the Frenchman,
II am so desperate could go anywhere!
I have sat silent too long. I have heard
you engaged to Monsieur de Kersaint In
the hall below.syet your troth is plighted
to me. Forgive me, I am mad, crazy.
To see you, to love you, to have you prom
Used to me, and then to listen to this an
nouncement Tonight! I know not what
do. You are mine. mademoiselle and yet
you have scarcely allowed me to kiss your
hand. Is this the fidelity Of de Rolan?
Your hand is promised, you were not
free. He shall not have you. You are
mine by every right r. ' = 81 L.
stop Monsieur de Wire! My word is
-was-yours and I had honestly meant
to keep it. but do you not recall that in the
hall Of the Chateau St. Louis told you
when first permitted you to-. consider
yourself engaged to me that 1t all de-
pended upon the marquis; a declaration,
sir, that repeated in my own house in
Quebec, when you were released from con-
finement,f that I have said over and over
again to you Ofiif the ship? He would not
hear Of 1t, sir, sseven when we preached
the subject tentatively: 'Tis impossible
And there Is one right, sir, that you never
had" T. .'S >, " #t>e f't:E:'sz ,1t<1'@ - r.
And what is that, pray?" s2E, g
w.. II do not love you, sir, nor did I ever
pretend to do So" .e.t..+ ff o.
}o'Do you love this de Kersairt, then,
mademoiselle? cried the Frenchman,
furiously. + - &sf
s Monsieur, you have no right to ques-
ton me-" 2fer-
Right? Are you not my promised
wife? But remember, you told me that
you loved no gentleman Of France. Is
there any one else? What a blind fool
have been. But he has no more chance
than 7. De Kersaint takes the prize. Did
you plight Captain Grafton your troth,
too? And I can not resentit. I can not
kill him. owe him too much-life,
honor, was going to add-you. You!'
She .shivered under the scorn in his
voice. But pity him. too,' he went on.
He depends on your love, and L on your
honor The love of traitress, the honor
Of the de Rohans, madernoiselle!"
He laughed bitterly in q way not good to
hear. Suddenly his glance fell upon the
table by the window. There was some
thing there. He stopped as If petrified
with establishment. !
whats that?" he cried.
'sirP' said Anne furious with indigna-
ton, and yet, in her heart a certain pity
for the unfortunate lover. as he made a
sudden dart past her. 'Iow dare you?
Retire from my apartments, or -
Il came in alone, mademoiselle, but
shall go out with the wearer of this he |
exclaimed, 1ercely, lifting hat from the
table. Whose head fits this chapeau, / !
Wonder-the marquis De Kersaint's?
Eda. tits laced naval hat! An English
hat mademoiselle. Who is f1ere?'
Grafton, ">murmured Anne in surprise,
taken off her guard.
'He is here, then?' he cried, jealously. |
Where is he? Mon Dieu, in that room,
your chamber? Stand aside, mademo- /
iselle.s, Let me pass!'
"Never!' answered the girl, resolutely.
You presume too much sir. upon my for I
oearance. Leave my room instantly"
Another second and Grafton had broken
forth; a new sound checked him. however.
some one else was coming. He listened
once more. ~ nm
- Who speaks thus roughly to the
Demoiselle de Rohan?' said a deep. harsh
voice, as old Jean-Renaud entered the
room. Monsieur de Wire, how dare YOU
address my mistress in that way? Did
not hear the Countess Anne beg you to
retire. sir? Her will is law here Mon
sieur, will you go. or not?''
lie stepped toward the young man
all his rough Breton fidelity
at the service OF his fair young mistress
THE marquis whispered Josette
whose acute ear had caught the tramp Of i
feet in the hall, whose glance had recos-
nized her master. HE Is coming!''
Il am lost!'' said de Wire.
Nay" cried the quick -witted maid
''step behind that screen yonder and be
silent as you fear your life. They sus-
pect something, am sure. Oh, what es-
cape is there for us!'' S, 80. :. a,
With feelings that can scarcely be
Anne sank down in her chair
again, striving vainly to compose herself
for the expected entrance Of her grand
ia ther. The room swan before, her vet Z
she strained herself up to meet; the situa
ton. What was the cause, and what
would be the outcome of this visit?
She could hear him outside her door il,
the hall now. He had not come alone
evidently. for there was the sound i1of
many steps upon the stone tagging Of the
corridor. Presently there came 4 Tan
upon the door Josette. at q nod from her,
mistress, opened IT, The MARQUIS entered
followed by de Kersaint and one two
attendants with lights 53 -
Go be- continued Tomorrow.
ES d. -sSlsZEg$3 ~
500 Line Eoeal Holiday Rate..
One fare for theeroind trip between ali
80 IN 4