Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-12-09

UdCh III great suIpTlse, you ucf0b Sh
"Why not? I love the Countess de
Rohan, and, presumptuous as I may
seem, I dare to affirm that she loves
me as well. Indeed, sir, since the mo
ment I held her in my arms FIVE years
ago in this very chamber at midnight,
and kissed away her tears, have loved
her. The fortune of war brought me
wounded to her feet in Canada, sir,
and there I found I loved her still;
and, what was more, I learned that
she had not forgotten me. She left
me behind wounded and i'll, but I fol-
lowed her here. Sir, I have come to
claim her."
my God!" faltered the marquis, as
If dazed by this sudden development
Of the situation, "and trusted her to
your honor!" He looked years older
at that instant, his face blanched and
working. Grafton pitied him.
Monsieur, I pledge you that honor
that l left her as sweet and innocent
a child as when I first knew her."
"And yer you came from her bed
chamber even now, and you kissed her
at midnight"
"Twas five years since, SIR"
"Do you love this man, Anne?"
more than heaven itself" she an
swered, stepping to his side.
"And you came to take her away,
sir, like thief in the night?" sneered
the marquis, his color coming back as
he mastered his surprise and regained
portion of his self-command.
I'VE had gone, sir, a moment since" )"
broke in Grafton ruthlessly, irritated
by the sneer, '"had we not been inter-
rupted."
mon Dieu, tbs impossible you can
love this Englishman, Anne!"
"An American, sir"
Peace! IT'S all one. This officer,
this enemy Of France, this commoner!"
"Yes," murmured the girl.
"You love him more than family,
than country, than rank, than station,
than honor?"
more than all the world, monsieur" /"
"And you were here alone with him
at midnight in this tower? He kissed
your"
Eyes, monsieur, but I was only q
child" "
"You nursed him in sickness in Can
ada?"
Eyes, monsieur"
"Were you about to fly with him this
evening, as he says"
eyes"
"And he came from your bed-cham-
Der! Oh, mon Dieu, mon Dieu!"
screamed the old man, passion, de-
spair, wounded pride, Quenched ambi-
ton, frantic rage In his voice. "The
deep dishonor Of it! This from my
granddaughter, this from child of
my ancient house! An innocence
gone, a reputation blasted, character
compromised" ~
"S'death, sir!" burst out Grsftpn.
Speak you thus to your own? She
Is as pure as an angel from heaven!
AS 1 live, were you not her grand
sire, and an old man, I'd strike you
down."
"And I thought her." ragged the old
man, contemptuously disregarding
him, "like Caesars wife, above sus-
picion. Monsieur, you have betrayed
my trust, you have violated my sacred
hospitality, you have compromised
my grandchild in the eyes of the
world, you have well-nigh ruined my
house. You belong to q race have
loathed and hated. This old arm, with
cred as you see, has used up its
strength in striking blows upon your
people. would fain have your life,
monsieur" he continued sternly. "Nay,
I shall have it presently; but before
you die you must cover your actions
before God and man, with the sane
ton, the poor sanction Of your dishon-
orable name."
Monsieur" cried Grafton in amaze
ment, what mean your"
Grandfather" interrupted Anne, 81
am innocent of everything except low
ing Monsieur Grafton. That I cannot
help. I swear to you that I am-as
was-when you first took me in your
arms-except for love-
"By heaven, sir" exclaimed Graf
ton, "are you mad? Can you not see"'
"Silence!" said the old man. There
must be a wedding here tonight
Things are permitted husband which
are denied a loyer-wedlock covers
all. Mademoiselle de Rohan, you must
marry this man."
"Tis the dearest wish Of my heart.
sir" cried Anne.
Monsieur lie Marquis" said Philip,
hewildered, what mean you? Do You
consent to my suit, then? Heavens!
'Tis im2ossible!"
Consent? No, monsieur, demand
of you, nay, l order, command you,
If there Is a vestige of honor in you,
that you marry this misguided
girl, that you rehabilitate her in the
eyes Of the world"
"The world knows nothing, and there
is nothing to know, sir"
I'm my eyes, then"
1t was puzzling situation. Philip
longed for nothing so much as to call
Anne de Rohan his wife, yet apparent
ly consenting to this ceremony he
would be putting some sort Of stigma
upon her honor or her reputation.
81 can not, monsieur, upon this COM
pulsion," he faltered hesitatingly.
"Philip!" cried Anne, who saw moth
ing of what was passing in his mind
and who heard only his refusal, his
denial Of her. "You refuse me? You
betray my heart? All, that woman In
the locket! Oh, mon Dieu, mon grand
pere, kill me, kill me! He loves me
not, ! am rejected"
She nearly tainted with the shock
and the agony of the moment.
Monsieur" said the old marquis
his eyes cleaning with anger and de-
termination, will you marry this girl
Think we'll before you refuse, sir. The
hand of a de Rohan has been offered
tu,io. IN M ono hofora Gov No and