Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1903-03-31

II-lI-l tHouSuL you COulu Aedu H.
Simon, I should begin to be alarmed,
said the maiden, in tone that would
seem to indicate that she did not really
credit the statement she had heard.
Il do mean it!' he replied, slowly and
meaningly.
''Simon Lobois, look me in the eye, and
assure me solemnly that you mean what
you have said" Louise spoke this in an
earnest, eager tone, with her hands clasp
ed and half raised towards her dark
cousin, and her lips firmly compressed.
1t was some moments before Lobois
replied. There was something in the
deep blue eye that was fixed so earnestly
upon him, and in the calm, earnest fea-
lures that met his gaze, that moved him
more than he had counted upon. But then
he was not the man to break down now.
He was not the man to give up the frui-
ton of hope that he had cherished with
his very life for years. He was playing
for golden stake of immense value, and
now that he held the leading hand, he
meant to use it promptly, and without
compromise of any kind.
Louise ST. Julien he at length re-
piled, Il mean just what | have said.
You go not from this house until you are
my wife! From this purpose l will not
swe"ve."
A quick flush passed over the girls
face, and her lip quivered. A moment
the thought of spurning, the wretch was
present with her, but the thought, most
probably, of her defenseless position kept
her tongue under guard.
Simon she murmured, after a while
of silence, you will not be SO cruel?'
"And is it cruel to want a beautiful
girl, whom one loves, for wife"
But what can you want with wife
who can never love you in return?'
''I'll teach you to love me-"
GAS we'll might you teach me to love
The great crocodile / saw the soldiers
playing with in the street this morning.
Then I'll teach you to fear mev'
you've done that already, monsieur" +"
$50 much the better then; you'll mind
me the quicker"
But why-why should you do this
thing?"
''I'll tell you," spoke Simon, turning
with sudden emphasis upon the girl.
''There is no need that l should pretend
to deceive yeu, nor could l, probably, if
l tried. For many years l have had
business. You know he is wealthy-more
wealthy than any other ten men in the
colony. When he came here into this joy
forsaken wilderness, came with him to
help him. The thought came to me, as
beheld your mind expanding under my
care, that at some future day | might
possess your heart and hand, and thus
the half of your fathers fortune would
be mine. So l strove to make you all
could, and the property l multiplied as
fast as possible. The wealth has grown
in bulk under my care, and now l am not
ready to give all up. l am not willing to
see the hopes of a lifetime blasted just
from the mere whim of a capricious girl
But do you think my father will allow
his property to fall into your hands when
he knows that I married you from abso-
lutte compulsion?' asked the fair girl.
earnestly.
''He cannot well help it. He cannot
cut me off without cutting you off, too"
But he will demand dissolution of
the union between us"
Hal he cannot gain it if he does. I
am prepared there. and [ know the
ground on which | stand. The king has
empowered the company to frame domes-
tic regulations to meet the wants of the
colony, and they have already passed a
resolution that every sane, sound girl, OF
seventeen years or upwards, shall marry,
if proposal is made from respectable
"Ay-but the payment of a hundred
livres can remove the obligation
$50 it can. But no power can annul
the marriage tie."
''Then mark me, Simon Lobois! l will
bid my father that he let me live in pen
ury and want, for, as your wife, my sor-
row will have reached it's climax; so you
shall not thus gain the gold you covet."
''And mark me. Louise st. Julien!
While your father withholds the half of
his fortune from you, l will reduce you
to such suffering as shall force me to bin
you to prevent you from taking your own
life to end your torturesr'
A few moments of silence ensued, and
then Simon said. in softer tone:
But let us drop this profitless talk
You will consider of this, and l know you
will calmly settle down into a state of
reasonable acquiescence. Now give me
a direct answer. Will you become my
wife without any further act of compul-
sion 2"
81 should judge you had heard enough
to know my mind"
But l would know if | must compel
you. Mind, now! My resolution is fixed
have counted the cost, and am resol ed
upon the throw When we return, You
may tell your father, if you please, that
compelled you to become my wife, but
shall not care. He cannot take yoi
from me after the church has bound you
to me, and if he seeks otherwise to harm
me-, he will only heap suffering upon the
head of his own child. Your father gave
me permission to seek your hand
II do not believe it, Simon"
81 care not for your belief. That he
told me so is true, and nowG have sought
you. Will you be my wifeT'
"Neverv'
Eve shall see."
And with this, the wretch strobe from
The apartment.
CHAPTER XIV.
IL -. I I. r