Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-12-08

called out, in great surprise.
Capt. de Wire, by heaven, what do
you here demanded de Kersaint,
sprngins forward threateningly
"Messieurs, I came here as the right
full betrothed Of Mademoiselle Rohan.
as the man who had received her troth
in New France. Resolved TO make one
more appeal to her, left the banquet
hall to throw myself at her feet"
did you come by the invitation Of
mademo iselle?" asked de Kersaint.
mo, monsieur. came unan-
nounced.'
you love this man, mademoise,le?
alas. no. Monsieur de Kersaint"
answered Anne II esteem him. He
sought my hand under peculiar cir
cumstances I'm Now France. con-
sented, subject to the acquiesccnce OF
Monsieur le Marquis and when | told
him of it. he laughed at me-"
"Twas but a boy and girl affair, de
Kersant, not worth mentioning" an
swered the marquis
Put he came herc?"
yes. yes, monsieur" cried Anpe,
But without an invitation, ana, In
deed, unwelcomo The mystery is now
over Retire. gentlemen, beg of you.
This has been too much for me-"
The marquis started to speak, when
something caught his eye and he
stopped as if petrified Resisting his
first impulse to cry out, he slipped
around TO the table near the screen,
and covering it with his person re-
manned silent. his gaze fixed in cold
suspicion upon his granddaughter.
AS for de Kersaint, he would let him
fight his own battle; afterward he had
other plans. De kersant stopped and
thought moment
You came" he said at last to de
Nitre. who stood pale and haggard with
folded arms before him, without in
vitation?"
II have said So"
'Unwelcome?"
ALAS, yes
"Mademoiselle did beg him to re.
tire" broke in Jean Renaud Il heard
her"
And monsieur would not go away"
added Josotte, who had regained her
voice
Your attentions were not pleasing
TO mademolselle, them"
No, monsieur. | fear not"
by God, sir" cried the Frenchman
IN sudden passion, YOU are my exec
utive Officer, my trusted subordinate.
but If | We're not about to sail ! would
challenge YOU so that ] might pass
my sword through YOU AS it IS. sir.
you shall be dismissed the ship. I'll
not sail with you. you disgrace your
! uniform"
In his anger and surprise de Kcr-
saint had forgotten about the cloak
and the spy. it seemed.
Monsieur" cried de Wire, desper.
atey, at this threat, think moment.
was mad with love for mademoiselle.
She was my promised bride. Never
had she permitted me a greater priv
ilege than to touch my lips 10 her
hand No one would consider me.
| saw happiness slipping from NE.
Her beauty crazed me. forgot nv
self But it's all over now. She does
not love me. She has rejected me.
Oh. monsieur, for Gods sake, crush
not a broken man! ask no forgive
ness, only an opportunity. We sail
tonight Give me my place upon the
ship. Perchance some fortunate bull
let may find my heavy heart Mon
CT
If you love mademoiselle now. think
what | have felt and find some excuse.
-Mademoiselle," he continued, turning
TO Anne with a meaning glance. you
will not have me. it seems. All the
dreams | have cherished are broken
and shattered. My heart is dust and
ashes within NE. There is left me
but one desire. one hope: since |
may not live and love you. wish TO
die in France. | have done you some
slight service perhaps. in days gone
by" he went on pleadingly will you
not intercedc for me with Monsieur
de Korsaint?'
Monsieur de Kersaint," cried the
girl. touched by the plea, realizing
that he had given himself up TO save
her and her lover, sorry for his mis-
cry. will you not heed the request
of Monsieur de Wire? You were ever
generous. kind. Oh, monsieur, may
not that which has moved you-tc
want-me"--sh stretched out her
arms toward him-"plead with you
to excuse him
"MaIemolsele.' said the count.
looking ar her with eyes full of adj
miration, Il can refuse you nothing.
| can not forget this, but can forgive
Monsieur de Wire You are excuse
enough for anything. BY heaven, your
beauty would make any man mad.
Rejoin your ship. Capt de Nitre.
Perhaps there may be no more friend
ship between us. but at least you may
do your duty"
Thank you. Monsieur de Kersaint.
Monsieur lie Marquis, Mademoiselle de
Rohan. FAREWELL
Nay. Monsieur de Wire can not
part from an old friend thus lightly"
exclaimed the girl, stretching out her
arm. He seized her hand. dropped on
his knees before her, and rested his
forehead upon it.
This for life and honor he whis-
pered, so that none but she could hear.