The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-12-24

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otherwise? And my honor bids me be
silent. Monsiur may kill me. am his
man, my life is his, but monsieur can not
make me speak sg t75. 81
Furious with rage the marquis short
ened his arm and drew back his sword.
\ Strike not. de Chabot!'' cried de Kerr
saint interposing, laying his hand upon
the others arm. What need? IT'S GER
tain some one is here. The silence of the
maid, the acquiescence of mademoiselle. i
and the refusal of this old man to confirm
or deny, prove it beyond doubt. There Is
no exit from this or the other chamber, 4
II remember the castle, save by the door
through which we came. The man or
woman must be there. Let us search. 1
Honor your servant for his ancient fdel-
ity, de Chabot. He would not betray a
woman. There is some one here-some
one in the room of the woman I love. the
woman who is this night plighted to me.
Let us search. That door, yonder? What
room is that ?''.. +
Monsieur cried Anne, stepping across
to the door, her face aflame, tits my
bed-chamber. You may not pass within
it but over my body
She had not remembered de Wire, but
she was on fire to protect Grafton. Yet 1t
was a desperate, hopeless situation.
No matter; she would fight for him to the
end-they should not harm him.
''Mademoiselle, assure me on the
honor of a de Rohan that there is no one
there and withdraw.
She endeavored to speak. vainly mois
tening her dry lips, but she could not,
so she stood silent and determined be-
tween him and the door behind which
Grafton. his sword out, his blood up, was
In readiness to make a dash for liberty.
But his time was not yet. II,
Enough, de Kersaint," exclaimed the
marquis, you may not enter those sa-
cred precincts, but l. an old man, grand
father to this hayward child, may go
| anywhere. Stand aside, Anne-Or---''
Mercy! rnercy!" cried the girl dropping
| to her knees before the door. Mere de
Dieu! Help me, have pity upon me-"
| "Oh, he is in there, then? moment,
| before your sword" cried the marquis,
| springing forward. =. :.
| Grafton thought his hour was come. But
no. not yet! ga, ."s-. ..
Search no farther exclaimed a sharp
voice from the other side Of the room,
as de Wire. pale as death, threw down
the screen and, revealed himself. He mad
heard all, OWNED all. Anne loved him
not He would sacrifice himself for her,
for her lover, pay back some Of the debt
he owed to Grafton. ~ -
ooh, thank God, thank God!' cried
| Anne, rising. to her feet and shrinking
back against the door frame.
Monsieur de vitre!" the marquis called
out, in great surprise. 3..-
Captain de Wire, by heaven, what do
| YOU here?' demanded de Kersaint. spring
| ing forward threateningly.
/ ''Messieurs, I came here as the r1ght1ul
| betrothed of Mademoiselle Rohan, as the
! man who had received her troth In New
France Resolved to make one more ap-
| peal to her, left the banquet hall to
throw myself at her feet"
| did you come by the invitation OF
| mademoiselle?' asked de Kersaint.
"No, monsieur came unannounced.
''You love this man, mademolselle!
| "Alas! no, Monsieur Kersaint, answered
| Anne. II esteem him. He sought my
hand under peculiar circumstances in New
France I consented, subject to the &C
| uuiescence Of Monsieur le Marquis, and
| when told him Of it he laughed at me-
| "'Twas but boy and girl affair, de
Kersaint, not worth mentioning" an
! swered the marquis.
''But he came here?' 49, 49,
eyes, yes, monsieur" cried Anne. but
without an invitation, and, indeed, IN
welcome. The mystery is now over. Re-
| tire, gentlemen, beg OF you. Inns mas
| been too much for me- H. o..
| The marquis started to speak, when
something caught his eye and he, stopped
as if petrifed. Resisting. his first Inn
pulse to cry out, he slipped around to
1.-THE table near the screen, and covering
| it with his person remained silent, MS
gaze fixed in cold suspicion upon his
grand daughter As for de Kersalnt, ne
would let him fight his own battle; af-
terward he had other plans. De Ker.
saint stopped and thought a moment.
I :.57.. ITO be continued to-morrOw.)