Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-09-08

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sense Of honor was not less keen than
his. She was a woman, he remem-
bered, imbued with all the traditions
OF that race whose proud boast 1t was
that while they had not been born to
the kingly degrse and they would not
condescend to the princely rank, yet
they were Rohans. Was Anne capable
Of sacrificing her word for her love?
1t was doubtful.
The last consideration that arose in
his mind was an acute conjecture that
the marquis would not be much bet
ter satisfied with de Wire for sutton
for his granddaughter than he would
have been with Grafton. The old
man probably, nay, certainly, had
formed his own plans, and there was
without doubt third sutton of his
personal choosing awaiting Anne in
France. This meant much. If Graf
ton could succeed in matching the
marquis determination against Annes
| will-power, between de Wire and the
other, he might the more easily
achieve success.
| He realized all these things, weighed
! them carefully, considered them ex-
! haustively, and racked his brain in an
endeavor to solve the problem. His
resolute determination was undated.
That, his love for her, and her feeling
FOR him, were the three things he
| counted upon to enable him to have
Ais way and win her for his own. He
was no longer boy; he did not APP
preach the problem lightly and care
lessly, but with a deliberate calmness
which outwardly belied his passion.
He was man thoughtful by nature
! and strengthened in character by the
responsibilities of his position as the
! captain OF 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 sutton, who was
sure to be man of parts and condi-
ton, and the stubborn, determined lit
tie Englishman would all prove IA
nous players. Which would win?
Well come what might, Grafton al
ready 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 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 child, when he had known her
best, she had known none of these
disagreeable conyenances of the So
ciety of her day. Had her soiourn in
Canada, her entrance into the gay lit
tie world of New France, effected a
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
ment that she 1as 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
ond day Of her continued absence from
mis- room he nearly fretted himself in
to 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
mademoiselle.
"This Englishman," he said, sis pin
ing, worrying, fretting. Unless some
thing can be done to restore his peace
Of mind l fear the consequences may
be serious; inflammation may set in
in his feverish condition, and then
-"
His ominous gesture frightened her
greatly.
Sdu l. you, luducluOlSclle, ClloeT ullu
up, 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 he
faced her from the pillow with such a
smile of hope and joy as completely
transformed him.
"Anne! Anne" ne murmured, re-
proachfully. "for two whole days
have lain here alone thinking, think
ing, thinking, dreaming, loving. until
l wonder l 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 | would have thought only
Of e.