Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-01-06

must say, protest that this hasty mar riage implies no doubt upon the honor of the lady who takes my name" Hell and furiss!" cried the marquis inconsistently. ''who dares to imply such thing! Monseigneur. will you proceed, or shall kill this man before your eyes?"
 The brief words which mean so much and bind so fast were soon spoken. Philip and Anne made the responses, and kneeling before the aged cleric received his benediction. As soon as he had finished. the archbishop. realiz- ing that here was a delicate situation, discreetly with drew and left the par ticipants in this strange wedding alone once more. AS they rose to their feet the Englishman turned to the woman. all his thoughts swept away in the knowledge that at last she was his wife.
 "NIy own. my own," he cried. taking her in his arms. But before he could press one kiss upon her forehead the marquis intervened.
 No, sir" he cried, you have dis honored the house of Rohan. You have made what amends you could by marrying the girl. That is all You shall never see your wife again. I shall kill you where you stand. The connection shall end that way. Draw, sir" cried the old man, shaking his blade in the others face. Defend yourself, if you can."
 'T will not cross swords with a man old enough to be my grandfather, answered Grafton-'one who stands in such relationship as you to the lady am happy to call my wife. By your consent. by your urging, we were mar ried. She is mine before Heaven itself. No man may part her from me. She goes with me-"
 How will you take her hence, pray?"
 By this window, through which came" cried Grafton. lifting up his wife in his arms and springing back ward.
 "A moi." called the marquis loudly.
 The servants came running into the room in response to this call.
 "Ha." cried the marquis. "The Baron de Croisic's way! 'Tis his tower. You shall end like the lover of the fair Jehane. Jean-Renaud. seize this man."
 Jean-Renaud stepped forward slow ly. His affections were with his young mistress, and he secretly admired the gallant Englishman who had won her, yet his duty bade him obey the mar quis.
 "Back!" cried Grafton. whipping out his pistol and pointing it at Jean Renaud. "A step nearer and you are dead maL.
 The man stopped short; he Knew decision when he met it.
 "'Tis true you have the advantage, Monsieur le Marquis. can not take Madame Grafton away from you to- night, alone as I am, but be certain that will come back for her with force that cannot be denied. shall have her if have to tear down the castle stone by stone. Take good care of madame, sir" Grafton continued insolently, "I leave her in your charge. Back, you cattle!" he cried, swinging his pistol toward the servants and lackeys. who were huddled together in the rear of ean-Renaud. Anne. wife, farewell!"
 Monsieur, said the marquis, striv- ing to regain his wonted calmness, you may storm the castle if you will. You will not find madame here. When the French fleet sails in the morning we go with her. Now, men, upon him."
 Grafton discharged his pistol at the nearest valet. and as the man fell he hurled the empty weapon into the midst of the rest. With one look as Anne he turned and sprang through the oriel window. He grasped the rope and slid down it rapit.y.
 The men surged toward the balcony. Anne sprang between them. She caught the marquis by the arm and Josette seized Jean-Renaud. but the rest swarmed past them and filled the balcony. One of the men lifted dag ger to cut the rope. A deafening roar rang out in the night: the man scfeamed with pain and his arm drop ped to his side. Another shot was heard. The crowd shrank back for few seconds and Grafton reached the foot of the tower. He scrambled down the rocks to find old Jabez. smoking musket in his hand. waiting for him in the prow of the boat.
 Who fired?" he cried.
 Twas me. yer Honor: I was a. watchin' the winder. seen yer Honor come out. then I seen the man raise the knife. an I blazed away at him. I hain't forgot how to shoot nuther."
 You saved me-" cried Grafton. Shove off the boat. Lively. Break ont the oars; we must get away
 Slocum sprang to the oars and Graf ton seized the tiller. The balcony above was filled with men now. The old marquis was there. and Anne-his wife He could spare only a second for a glance. The light from blazing torches threw a dim illumination down upon the little hay. A woman screamed. Shots rang out. bullets spatVred the water all about them.
 Are you hit. Jabez:"
 No. sir: be you?'