Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-12-28

to my brave countryman. I-I do not regret 1t"
 She forced herself to lift her head and look at him white-faced and trem- bling. His bold, burning glances plunged through her defenses like 8 gword-blade.
 This from the truthful de Rohan!" he murmured coldly, but with a break ing heart ''If you looked at me dying then-and perhaps dying now after that word-if you looked at me then as you look at me this moment, there were no ground for de Vitre's suspi- cion. Is this your fidelity! Go! You have not-you do not love me-
 She buried her face in her hands beneath his stern accusing gaze-his reproaehes scared her heart She had not told the truth to him.
 'tGo, mademoiselle!" he continued, pitilessly, ruthlessly turning the weapon he had thrust into her heart. 'sThe other night-does my imagina- tion mock me, or did dream of Heaven. of your kisses? Were the lips that now betray those that met my own? Was it that sweet head that lay upon my breast? Was it all vision !? Did I ever live for an hour with you in that old dark tower by the sea Was I indeed the knight of that gen. tie child who wrapped herself around my heart? You weep, mademoiselle. Why? Happiness opens before you. You are the betrothed of de Vitre" ;"
 No more!" she cried, tearing her hands from her face and springing to- ward him. She seized his arm and unwounded shoulder with grasp that was painful in its intensity. No more! No more! You torture me be- yond endurance! Iris no dream. love you, I adore you, my king, my king! What are country, and grand father, and friends, and all the world to me beside you!"
 She bent her glorious head once more and kissed him as2she had kissed him in the moonlight two nights be- fore. Had he won? This time he did not lose control of himself She was living that moment in the present, he could still, while sharing her emo tion, think of the future. He would strike at once.
 "But de Vitre?" he exclaimed.
 She drew herself away from him slowly, rose tremblingly to her feet, and looked down upon him again.
 "You remind me-" she said, broken ly, "of my word, my duty. know not how it is,p she continued. ''why am so weak before you. Is it the
 
 of mine? But I will be mistress of myself cannot break my word I cannot break my old grandfather's heart. I cannot dishonor the name of my. family. am a de Rohan though but woman. I will not (
 Hear me, Anne!" cried Grafton, stretching out his hand to Heaven, before God swear you shall! You shall break your word with de Vitre! You shall cross the will of your peo- pie! You are mine by prior right. win make you do it! You shall be my wife!,' 5lssnd<.l
 t1How, monsieur, will you bring about these things?' she cried boldly. every nerve in her body thrilling and quiyering in passionate response to the ipperious affection in his words. What power have you? What is it that will give you strength ?'
 'The power of love, Anne!" an swered Philip. When two love each other as we love nothing can come between them"
 She looked long and earnestly at him. He spoke the truth, and she knew it, yet with the stubbornness of ia man and the devotion of woman she chung to her negation. Present ly, as he said nothing further, she turned to leave the room.
 'eWait!" he cried from where he lay exhausted by his own feelings. Be, fore you go, promise me that you will come again? That each day you will let me see you at least once?''
 T promise you, Sir Philip she an swered, "but must have no more of this. Indeed, cannot stand it. 'Tis not right, 1t comports not with my honor You must promise me, too. |. am pledged still to Monsieur de- Vitre."
 She was almost humble in her petit tion, as if to say, You have the power, you know it, oh, abuse it not, if you indeed love the woman who has given you her heart" Her appeal met with an immediate and generous response from him.
 God bless you, Anne, for the saving grace of that word 'still'!" he cried. T promise you. shall ask no kiss of you, expect no caress from you. beg no further word of love, until your en- gagement with de Vitre is broken.
 That will never be, monsieur" she said sadly, yet taking heart and cherishing hope from his bold assur- ance. .Au revoir.'
 With reluctant feet the girl turned and left the chamber. She sank down before the prie-dieu in the room which she had occupied since Grafton came, and poured out her soul to the mother of sorrows in appeals for pity and help. He loved her, o Blessed Virgin, and she loved him. How masterful he was! He had sworn she would be his wife. His wife, yet, pitytng Heaven, that other woman whose face he wore over his heart! She tore the lace at. |.