Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-01-04

Iy. ~You presume too much, .slr. upon my forbearance. Leave my room in stantly!"
 Another second and Grafton had broken forth; new sound checked him, however, some one else was com ing. He listened once more.
 "Who speaks thus roughly to the Demoiselle de Rohan?" said deep, harsh voice, as old Jean-Renaud en- tered the room. Monsieur de Vitre, how dare you address my mistress in this way? Did not hear the Countess Anne beg you to retire, sir? Her will is law here. Monsieur, will you go, or not?"
 He stepped toward the young man threateningly, all his rough Breton fidelity at the service of his fair young mistress.
 'The marquis!" whispered Josette, whose acute ear had caught the tramp of feet in the hall, whose glance had recognized her master. "He is com ing!" :,
 'I am lost!" said de Vitre.
 Nay" cried the quick-witted maid. ''step behind that screen wonder and be silent as you fear your life. They suspect something. I am sure. Oh. what escape is there for us!"
 With feelings that can scarcely be imagined, Anne sank down in her chair again. striving vainly to com pose herself for the expected entrance of her grandfather. The room swan before her, yet she strained herself to meet the situation. What was the cause and what would be the outcome of this visit.
 She could hear him outside her door in the hall now. He had not come alone, evidently, for there was the sound of many steps upon the stone Tagging of the corridor. Presently there came a tap upon the door. Josette, at a nod from her mistress. opened it. The marquis entered, fol- lowed by de Kersaint and one or two attendants with lights.
 Anne rose to her feet as both gentle men bowed profoundly to her.
 'Mademoiselle,' began the marquis in his stateliest manner, "I have brought with me your old friend and new lover"
 May, my dear marquis" interrupted de Kersaint, who was not without the gallantry of his race. "pray say, old lover as we'll as old friend"
 "As you will. At any rate, my dear granddaughter, Monsieur de Kersaint has come hither to bid you farewell"
 Be seated, gentlemen" said Anne. Does Monsieur de Kersaint go farther than Brest, monsieur?"
 'Mademoiselle," answered the sailor. "he who starts upon cruise in war knows not how long his journey nor where it ends.'
 Does your ship sail, then?"
 "Yes, mademoiselle, at six o'clock in the morning."
 And the other vessels?"
 "The whole fleet goes out under Monsieur de Conflans himself to fight the English"
 q hope God may have you in his keeping, monsieur"
 Thank you mademoiselle, but have you no kinder wish with which to send me oE my way? The marquis, your grandfather, has announced our en- gagement. May not seal it upon your lips before I go. Mademoiselle Anne?"
 The two men who were listening, the one behind the screen, the other behind the door, were filled with jeal- ous rage at this, and, with an absolute parallelism of thought. would have given worlds to rush forth upon the Frenchman who proffered this natural request.
 'I would rather not, monsieur" faintly answered the girl. shaking her head.
 But, my dear. when you were q child I carried you many times and kissed you often"
 "Yes. monsieur. but am a child no longer. You will wait, am sure. until-you have better claim-a more binding tie."
 The twp listeners breathed sigh of relief as they heard Anne's resolute denial. Indeed. had she yielded, or had de Kersaint pressed the point. Grafton. for one. would have broken forth and killed him before he had touched her lips.
 You will respect the scruples of a maiden. de Kersaint." said the mar quis. T rejoice that her long absence in Canada has not weakened her ad- herence to the principles which have endeavored to inculcate in her when she was a child. The demoiselles de Rohan were ever chary of kisses. but you will find that they are lavish in honor. and when you come back you may claim her as your bride, and then"
 Grafton ground his teeth over this significant hiatus.
 "Mademoiselle. it costs you little to say No. and De much to say Yes. bur --