Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-12-23

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 N mitted to herself as she had
 E watched Grafton before he
 recovered consciousness that she loved him. If there had been any doubt in her mind of the perma- hence of her feelings of bygone days and their development from the child ish devotion to the deep passionate love which filled her soul, the teIl-tale kiss she had pressed upon his forehead when she thought him dying would have undeceived her. And she realized it more entirely at that moment when she saw him lying white and still at her feet in the halL That something of her feeling had expressed itself ip her looks she did not doubt.
 But 1t is one thing to admit fact In the secret recesses of ones own consciousness, or even to look ones feelings, and another to have it pro- claimed on the housetops. She bitter ly resented de Vitre's impu1sive alle- gation, and that it was true but en- hanced her indignation against him and against herself. How could she, de Rohan, love this commoner of America? How could she, a French woman, bestow her affection upon an enemy? How could she give her heart to a man who wore another woman,s picture above his own? Everything stood in the way of any future rela- tionship whatever between them.
 And yet how magnifcently he had come to the rescue of de Vitre! How nobly he had stood forth in the hall a moment since! o God, it was true! She had betrayed herself; the world would know that she had given away her love to this English officer -an enemy. She felt and saw the pointing fingers of her society; she heard the words sTraitress! Traitress!" in the air. She would not, she could not!
 Yet, how he had looked at her when he clutched her dress with that fevered question, 'sAre you in love with Mon- sieur de Vitre?" She was afraid of herself. If he should recognize her and plead with her could she resist him? No, she feared not, she was sure she could not. She loved him too well to do so. Of that point she was ab- solutely certain, and of another fact consequent upon the first. as we'll. She did not love Denis de Vitre, She ad- mired him-but love, no. And yet here was a safeguard Bethrothed to him she could better struggle against the pleadings of her heart. She did not yet realize what her long dormant feelings toward Philip would be- or how powerful holdNh was to have upon her. N
 Monsieur de Vitre,' . she exclaimed, clearly enough to be heard by all the room, you forget yourself! How could love this stranger, an enemy of France? You are not yourself: these trials have bewildered you, and I have but one answer to your charge. You have asked me again and again to- toin short, monsieur, are you still--'
 sMademoiselle de- Rohan!' cried de Vitre, clasping her hand, lis twill you-''
 Monsieur. esteem you, I regard you, Hadmire you. am willing, with the consent of my grandfather the mar ouis-to-be-'
 Monsieur de Ramesay," cried de Vitre, turning to the little group, who had been regarding the couple intent ly, "Mademoiselle de Rohan makes me the happiest of men! She deigns to honor me by promising me her hand.
 Look to your English friend, Mon sieur de Vitre,'' promptly answered the governor, and quickly!"
 EsMaledictions upon mel" cried de Vitre, kneeling beside the two ser wants. "A surgeon. quick!"
 The physician, who had been previ- ously summoned, was speedily forth coming, and, under his ministrations the flow of blood was staunched and Grafton presently opened his eyes again.
 My friend" cried de vitre. as Graf ton recovered consciousness, what can I say? What can I do to repay you? On the ship wonder you saved my life A moment since in this hall, you saved my honor, and believe it is to you I owe my greatest happi- ness.''
 ,"And what is that?' whispered Graf ton.
 t'Mademoiselle has consented to do me the honor of becoming my wife,
 '-Ah!" exclaimed Grafton, as if stricken again.
 What is 1t, what is it?" cried the Frenchman, ttwhat can I do?''
 You might have let me die, de yitre. But there, 'tis nothing. Take me hence
 Where will you be taken, mon sieur?'' asked the governor.
 He shall go back to my house" in- terrupted Anne. whence he came. And voll Mnnsienr de Wire will ac-