Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-04-18

blood. whose safety Is my one thought for whom I would face a hundred sav-
 ages rather than that one hair of your
 head should be injured He sud
 denly ceased speaking as though struck
 dumb. for as he gazed at the girl who
 stood with one hand involuntarily
 stretched toward him, wide-eyed and
 motionless, he saw as by a lightning
 flash within her glance that which
 stopped his heart and sent strange
 chill through his frame, for in that in-
 stant he saw deep into her very soul
 and read the secret that she had guard
 ed so well. It was but an instant, for
 he quickly passed his hand before his
 eyes and recovered himself. May, it
 is mot strange, mademoiselle," he re-
 sumed, that should speak thus, for
 l love La Salle, and he loves you, and
 l am pledged by all the claims of
 friendship and loyalty to bring you
 safe to your journeys end"
 Before Renee could reply the comte
 entered, followed by sQuaw. Hardly
 had she seen the prisoners before she
 uttered a cry, and Tonti stared in be- wilderment into the face of Madame Bizard. It was indeed she, but how changed! The roses had left her cheeks and lines of care and suffering were strongly marked about her eyes,, Clad in the slatternly dress of an Iro-' quois squaw, she had lost the trim. ness of figure that had been her chief attraction formerly. No longer were the lashes dropped in coquettish glances, but hunted look had taken their place. The comte stood watch ing them, smiling grimly. "So it seems that you two are acquainted"
 Madame Bizard then seeing Renee for the first time, rushed to her and clasped her arms about her, weeping violently. This action displeased her lord, for he advanced and, grasping her roughly by the shoulder, pulled her away, giving her rude shove that sent her rolling on the floor. He then seized her by the hair and pulled her up into a sitting posture, crying bru- tally, Get up or you will fare worse" The poor woman did not seem to think this treatment at all unusual and meekly did his bidding. Take ma demoiselle to her lodge and serve her wants" was the next demand; so, beckoning Renee to follow her, she led her out.
 They passed ito the adjoining house, which had been hastily prepared for its new occupant. Some attempts had been made at cleaning the place, large number of skins and rugs hav- ing been spread about. Renee's com panion was silent until they had en- tered. After casting backward glance to see that they were not fol. lowed, she fell on her knees and burst into tears. Renee, who pitied her forlorn condition and remembered her kindness to her when she first ar rived at Quebec. strove to soothe her, and the kindly, womanly sympathy thus displayed had its effect, for soon the tear-stained face was raised and a sad smile lighted up her features.
 "Ah! mademoiselle," she murmured, you are so good to pity an unfortu- nate castaway like myself. I have sinned deeply, but have been cruelty pNnished. Since seeing you I have had time to reflect and realize how great wrong-doer have been. Many 3 night have lain awake in my !, misery, and thought of all the happi- ness might have had, but which | thrust aside. You can see the misery of my fate without telling you. However, 1t is your future that trou- bles me, for rather than see you in his power would bury knife in his hate ful breast. But tell me how you hap> pen to be here?"
 Renee then rapidly sketched the events that had led up to their jour- ney and the adventures encountered since then. As she told of Tonti's eff. forts at the time of their shipwreck, Bizard's eyes glowed and a 'aint tinge of color returned to her cheekS.
 How brave he is, and how noble! My love told me that he was good and .i
 "Your love!" exclaimed Renee.
 "Yes, my love, for I will confess 1t to you, mademoiselle-I loved him. It vas my insane love that drove me to .empt him to the very act to which the ,omte yielded. But he was strong, md rebuked me, shaming me for the thought"
 "But you told me"
 Yes, but lied. My heart was full 'f bitterness at finding him so much better than I; for his teaching me that mans honor was even stronger than woman's. It was the desperate mem 'ry of his refusal of my suggestion to " with me that drove me mad, and made the society of my husband, your elf, and all who were good and pure torment. and was the goad that urged ne to the step I took. But my re. ,entance has been bitter"
 And his wife and child abandoned n Paris?" eagerly asked Renee, as she ,Iufchad fha xrpvna1 I,, xhn a,~. A.~