The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-12-15
in the person. as he already possessed.

1t was a sort of game he PLAYED, with
her 1od' the stake. The grim old marquis.
with his pride of race. family and ma
ton. and his ardent patriotism; the hand
some. dashing young Canadian, the un-
known sutton. who was sure to be a man
OF parts and condition. and the stubborn
determined little lInslishman would all
prove famous players. Which would win?
Well, come what might. Grafton already
had Anne's heart de Wire her promise
the marquis her duty. and the unknown
as yet. nothing. The heart. was the
strongest card, he decided.
OF her love he felt no doubt: but love
and marriage were two things that rarely
went together in the mind of the high
nobility Of France in those days. But
stay! Anne was different. AS a child.
when he had known her best, she had
known none of these disagreeahle conven-
anceS of the society of her day. Had
her sojourn in Canada, her entrance into
the gay little world of New France.
effected a revolution iii her chara cter?
He did not believe So
These were tOrturing questions ALL
Evening found him still thinking of them
and thinking alone. His wants had been
attended to by Josette or jean Renaud,
now allowed free access to him.. His
anxious inquiries for the countess had
been met by the statement that she was
i'll and could not come to see hinl-a de-
claration which added alarm to his long
ing and disappointment. His progress to-
ward recovery had been rapid. but on
the second day Of her continued absence
from his room he nearly fretted
himself into a fever. He found that he
could be more calm and cool in theory
than in practice. DIR. Arnoux looked
very grave when he paid his afternoon
visit that day. and. ignorant of the real
80, hlI1rt tn
mademOiselle.
This Englishman.' he began. lis pin
ing. worrying. fretting. Unless something
can be done to restore his peace of mind
I fear the consequences may be serious:
inflammation may set in in his feverish
condition. and them
His ominous gesture frightened her
greatly.
Cant you. mademoisele cheer him
up, distract his mind in some way" he
asked.
Anne knew only too we'll what allied her
patient She had distracted him too
much already, possibly; yet. when she
heard of the threatened danger, with
her usual impetuo3ity. she threw prudence
to the winds, broke her promise to her.
self. and fled to the chamber. He heard
her first step on the stair, and when she
entered he faced her from the pillow with
such a smile of hope and JOY as COM
pletely transformed him.
'Anne! Anne he murmured, re-
proachfully. for two whole days | have
been here alone thinking. thinking. think
ing, dreaming, loving. until / wonder 1
did not go mad! And you never camel
II sent Josette. monsieur.
"Josette. You might have sent every
woman. every messenger in the world and
l would have thought only of you! How
could you be@so, cruel? You love me, yet
you left me-
How can l love the enemy Of France,
monsieur?' she answered. gazing down
upon him with eyes that gave the lie TO
the cold words on her lips.
Il know not how you can. but you can
not deny that you do Anne. sweet
Anne. YOU are half American. This land
is the home Of your mother Let it be
the home Of your heart well.'
And my grandfather the marquis?
He would never consent.
Faith. your own consent is all that is
necessary. sweetheart. If you love me
enough
But I am betrothed to Monsieur de
Vitre.'
why did you do it at the last moment,
after you had recognized me, when fate
happy fate-threw me at your feet.?'
''I-I--''
You do not love him. Anne. dearest?
Come, the truth. The de Rohans were
ever true you told me-
''Ah. monsieur, l respect and admire
Monsieur de Wire. He is a brave and
| noble gentleman"
Yes, but you do not love him." d.
How dare you catechise me in this
| manner?' she cried, piteously, shrinking
| from his persistent questioning. Il will
withdraw, sir What warrant have
yOu-'
But she made no motion to leave the
| apartment On the contrary, he saw her
| body sway uneasily toward him. She
could not control her feelings. If he had
| not been SO ill. weak, pathetica lily
helpless, he would have appealed less
| strongly to her, she might have resisted
| better. She was angry at herself for her
| lack Of control, and bitterly mOrti-
fed. Was this man her master in truth
! And he wore another woman's picture
! Shame her. shame! Could he compe
| her to break her word. defy everything
and marry him against her will? All, bu
was it against her will? There was thu
rub.
She stood helpless before him. TIL,
whole current Of her being flowing TOWARD
/ him, only her stubborn will and pride hold
! ing her back. But the struggle could no
! be ma aimed for long. He marked tn,
/ rise and fall of her breast. Her. finger
moved restlessly. her knees trembled he
eyes swan, her color came and went. TIL
| constraint she, was under was terrible
| I lhit 81 lTioNSu ullil Will al ileE soul. e
she struggled on; she would not yield
Twas an unequal combat She Tough
| two: his will and her love. The end wa
| certain. He. felt it, was almost cruel a
he watched her and knew, it, would come
All She needed in that moment to brin;
her to :. him was time. He was wis
| enough not to be hasty. :. He put equa
constraint upon. himself; indeed, his low
was no less than her own. hE:S> - I'm. .
Il have only the warrant of my love fo
you to plead my cause. he answered a
last. -3.rs : y = ..:-es - .:+< = - -
i Have YOU loved me all the tirne?" sh
cried. coming a;step nearer. :, :ss 80
'I'know not the answered honestly be
fore h.