Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-11-22

He was man thoughGul Dy nature
and strengthened in character by the
responsibilities of his position as the
captain OF a ship, and he deliberately
determined to win the person, as he
already possessed the heart OF the
French girl.
1t was a sort of game he played,
with her for the stake. The grim old
marquis, with his pride Of race, fam
lily and nation, and his ardent patriot
ism; the handsome, dashing young Ca
madam, the unknown suitor, who was
sure to be a man Of parts and condi-
lion. and the stubborn, determined lit
lie Englishman would all prove IA
nous players. Which would win?
Well. come what might Grafton al
ready had Anne's heart, de Vitre her
promise, the marquis her duty, and
the unknown as yet, nothing. The
heart was the strongest card, he de-
cided.
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
disagreeable convenances Of the So
ciety Of her day. Had her sojourn in
Canada, her entrance into the gay lit
tie world of New France, effected q
revolution Of her character? 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 state
mept that she was Ill and could not
come to see him-a declaration which
added alarm to his longing and disap-
pointment. His progress toward re-
covery had been rapid, but on the sec
end day of her continued absence from
his room he nearly fretted himself in
to a fever. He found that he could be
more calm and cool in theory than In
practice. DR.. Arnoux looked very
grave when he paid his afternoon visit
that day, and, ignorant OF the real sit
uation, spoke some blunt words to
Inademoiselle.
"This Englishman," he said, 'is pin
ing, worrying, fretting. Unless some
thing 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 then
-"
His ominous gesture frightened her
greatly.
Cant you, mademoiselle, cheer him
I'D. distract his mind in some way?'
he asked.
Anne knew only too well what allied
her patient. She had distracted him
too much already, possibly; yet, when
she heard Of the threatened danger,
with her usual impetuosity she threw
prudence to the winds, broke her
promise to herself and fled to the
chamber. He heard her fleet step on
the stair, and when she entered be
faced her from the pillow with such b
smile Of hope and Joy az completed.
transformed him.
Anne! Anne!" he murmured, re.
proachfully, "for two whole days ]
have lain here alone thinking, think
ing, thinking, dreaming, loving, until
I wonder l did not go mad! And you
uever camel"
81 sent Josette, monsie' r"
"Josette! You might have sent
every woman, every mess niger in the
world, and 1 would have thought only
Of you! How could you be so cruel?
You love me, yet you left mel"
How con / love the enemy OF
France, monsieur" she answered, gaz-
ing down upon him with eyes that
gave the lie to the cold words on her
lips.
81 know not how you can, but you
cannot 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 as 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 l am betrothed to Monsieur de
Vitre."
why did you do it at the last mo-
ment, after you had recognized me,
when fate-happy fate-threw me at
your feet?"
"You do not love him, Anne, dearest?
Come, the truth! The de Rohans were
ever true, you told me-"
"Ah, monsieur, respect and admire
Monsieur de Yitre. He is a brave and
noble gentleman"
"Yes, but you do not love him?
"How dare you catechise me in this
, manner" she cried, piteously, shrink
ing from his persistent questioning.
81 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 feel
ings. If he had not been so i'll, sc
weak, so pathetically helpless, he
would have appealed less strongly tc
her, she might have resisted better
She was angry at herself for her lack
OF control, and bitterly mortified. Was
this man her master in truth? And
he wore another woman's picture!
Shame on her, shame! Could he COM
pei her to break her word, defy every
thing, and marry him against her will!
An, but was 1t against her will? There
was the rub.
She stood helpless before him. Fhs
whole current Of her being flowing to-
ward him, only her stubborn will and
pride holding her back. But the strug-
gle could not be maintained for long
He marked the rise and fall OF hel
breast. Her fingers moved restlessly
her knees trembled, her eyes swan