Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-09-15

Of the occasion, the marquis had
placed the Comte de Kersaint, whose
naval rank would not have entitled
him to SO high a seat at the table.
Next to de Kersaint sat the gallant
rear admiral, st. Andre du Verger,
soon to die and win an immortal name
for his heroism in the approaching
battle. BY his side was placed Mon
sieur de Bompart chef-d Escadre, or
commodore. commanding division Of
six ships of the line which had re-
Gently entered the harbor, aided by
the unfortunate gale which had COM
PEELED Hawke to break the blockade
for the time being-a welcome reen-
forcement indeed for de Contains.
The feast of the evening had been
made to announce formally the, en-
gagement of Anne 10 de Kersaint.
The countess had protested and had
again directly preached to her grand
father the subject of her plighted
troth. to de Wire. The marquis had
refused to hear her; as before, had
pooh-poohed the whole affair as a girl
ish Irritation What had maidens to
| do with hearts? he questioned Those
were luxuries reserved for married
women. In the ethics of France in
| that day a maiden's duty was obedi-
enese. AS for de Vitre, he was cadet
of an obscure house, no match for the
last and laast beautiful of the de Ro-
| hans She surely was not in earnest!
| Her grandfather's refusal would in
deed relieve her honorably of the at
| tentions of de Wire, since she had
expressly stipulated for his consent
| But between de Wire and de Kersaint
! she preferred the former, or, to speak
by the card, she preferred neither.
| She wanted Grafton, and Grafton only.
| She was in as great unhappiness
| therefore, in this new development as
before Unable. or unwilling at that
time, to break into open rebellion, es-
| pecially now that she was separated
apparently irrevocably from Grafton,
Anne deemed 1t well to temporize. In
spite of her fight, her remuneration of
him, she was waiting and hoping to
hear from the man she loved. She
had only stipulated, therefore, that
there was To be no formal betrothal,
and that her grandfather should con-
fine himself to the simple announce
ment at the feast that it was in con-
temptation.
Like Grafton, she was fighting for
time. Indeed, in the engagement to
de Kersaint she really thought there
was a loophole for an escape before
| her. Between de Kersaint and de
Wire what might not happen? She
was fully resolved never to marry de
Kersaint, and her resolution with re-
gard to de Wire was not so strong as
1T had been. Absence, separation, both
pleaded powerfully for Grafton. So
she waited-and hoped still
Laughter, jollity, merrlment, sub
dued by the rsfinements and require
ments of good breeding, foated around
the table. Joy and good humor were
reflected from every face except two
Hearts beat high in anticipation. The
officers of the squadron. who had moi
yet received orders for the departure
felt that it was in the wind and Gag
erly anticipated it.
\ Grafton, who had ample time to
study the people in the dining room az
4 the banquet progressed, marked with
a thrill of happiness that the universal
! JOY was not reflected in the face of his
love. Never had he seen 1t colder
paler, more filed with that ireffable
disdain he loved to note when not
meant for him. There was not the
slightest touch of mirth and happi.
ness in her features as her eyes rest.
lessly swept the table. When hel
: glance fell uron the huge and happy
krenchman who sat next her, Orator
noticed that she seemed to shrinl
from him. None but lovers eye
could have detected the movement
but to him it was plain.
Gentlemen" said the marquis a
last, the repast having been concluded
by this time, before the Counties!
Anne retires I wish you to drink (;
health with me-
"a health! A health!" cried tn,
men, thrusting their chairs back from
the table, Selling their full glasses ant
rising to their feet as they spoke.
Continued in Next Issue.)
BAD FIRE AT MONTROSE.
Il