Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-03-13
CHAPTER xI.-{continued)
By STANLEY

In defiance Of the cardinals edict
against duelling, fought with a young
Englishman behind St. Jacques
church. The Englishman had influence,
the person Of whom I speak had none,
and an Indifferent name; he was ar
rested, thrown into the chatelet, cast
for death, left for days to face death.
At the last an offer was made to him.
If he would seek out and deliver up
another man, an outlaw with a price
upon his head, he should himself go
free"
paused and drew deep breath.
Then I continued, looking not at her,
but into the distance: "Mademoi-
selle, 1t seems easy now to say what
course he should have chosen. 1t
seems hard now to find excuses for
him. But there was one thing which
[ plead for him. The task he was asked
to undertake was dangerous one.
He risked, he knew he must risk, and
the event proved him right, his life
against the life Of this unknown man.
And-one thing more-there was time
before him. The outlaw might be taxi
en- by another, might be killed, might
die, might. But there, Mademoiselle,
we know what answer this person
made. He took the baser course, and
on his honor, on his parole, with
money supplied to him, went free
free ON the condition that he delivered
up this other man."
] paused again, but l did not dare
to look at her, and after moment
of silence resumed. "Some portion
Of the second half of this story you
know Mademoiselle: but not all. Suf-
flee 1t that this man came down to q
remote village, and there at a risk,
but Heaven knows, basely enough,
found his way into his victims home.
Once there, his heart began to fail
him. Had he found the house gar
risoned by men, he might have pressed
on to his end with little remorse. But
he found there only two helpless, loyal
women; and say again that from the
first hour Of his entrance he sickened
of the work he had In hand. Still he
pursued it. He had given his word,
and If there was one tradition Of his
race which this man had never brok
sn It was that of fidelity to his side;
had tha,man that paid him. But he
purse. phi = 18th 9 half his mind ,siaf
great misery SOM etimes, if you will be-
lieve me, in agohies of shame. Grad
ually, however, Utmost against his
will, the drama worked itself out be-
fore him, until he needed only one
thing
] looked at mademoiselle. Bue her
head was averted; could gather
nothing from the outlines Of her form.
And I went on. "Do not misunder.
stand me-" said, in a lower voice.
do not misunderstood what am go.
ing to say next This is no love story
and can have no ending such as ro.
mancers love to set to their tales. But
! am bound to mention, Mademoiselle,
that, this man, who had lived about
inns and eating houses and at the gam
ing-tables almost all his days, met
here for the first time for years a good
woman; and learned by the light Of
her loyalty and devotion to see what
his life had been and what was the real
nature of the work he was doing. I
think--nay, know-that it added a
hundred-fold to his misery, that when
he learned at last the secret he had
come to surprise, he learned it from
her lips and in such way that had he
felt no shame, hell could have been no
place for him. She thought and had
reason to think, that the moment he
knew her secret he went out, not even
closing the door and used it. But the
truth was that, while her words were
still in his ears, news came to him
that others had the secret: and had
he not gone out on the instant and
done what he did and forestalled them,
M. de Cocheforet would have been
taken, but by others
Mademoiselle broke her long silence
so suddenly that her horse sprang for
ward. Would to Heaven he had!"
she walled.
Been taken by others?" ex-
claimed, startled out Of my false COM
posture.
ooh, yes,, yes!" she answered pas
sionately. why did you not tell me-
Why did you not confess to me even
then? I--oh, no mere! No more!''
she continued, IN 2iteous voice. 81
have heard enough. You are racking
my heart, M. de Berault. Some day
will ask God to give me strength to
forgive you"
''But you have not heard me OUT
replied.
II want to hear no more" she
answered, in a voice she vainly
strove to render steady. '"To what end ?
Can say more than I have said? Did
you think | could forgive you now
with him behind us going to his death :,
Oh, no, MOI" she continued. "Leaye
me! implore yo4 to leave me. am
not WE'LL
She dropped over her horses neck
as she spoke and began to weep SO
passionately that the tears ran down
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