The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1907-10-26

nSvo not salo t0oe j - -
friend,"I protested quietly.
But you are at the chateau Sh
spoke the words obstinately. Tha
fact was, in her eyes. an unanswsrabs
argument
Yes; and / know that Cautsi,
Forbes is detained there; know tia
ne has just signaled to you that fac
and has asked you to get help. An,
now want you to leave the matte,
IN my hands. l demand that "a m,
| right 1t Is task have set myself
once you said to me that SHOULD
save q life for the life that was los
through me-"
You have already made that reps
ration, Mr.. Haddon." she said Amos,
humbly. Fate has punished me thai
should have judged you 20 hastily
and so wrongly"
mo. no." l spoke in fierce remon
STRANGE. "Win you never be Just ia
me? That was An accident. tell
you"
7 do not like you less that you SAY
So"
1t was hopeless to make her under
stand now. I should have confessed
my cowardice sooner il wished to be
believed. She had judged as at Luz
cerne- And this judgment caused me
much the greater pain.
Listen" drew her to \ garden
seat "A life for a life-that is what
you said. But If, instead of a life IL
were q mans honor that could save
III 1t were the honor Of your
brother?"
Her lips trembied She leaned Ia.
ward me in her appeal.
"Oh. you would crush me with the
weight of my gratitude. Save my
brothers honor. and. and"
I should then stand equal with
other men in your respectf"
YES" she said family, her eyes
bright with unshed tears. 1--WE need
friend so much now. We are in
such deep distress because of my poor
brother. Evidently you know of his
disgrace" Shame blanched her cheek.
Il know something of it," said
with sympathy. Tell me, Miss Brett.
do I not bear a marked resemblance
to your brother?"
AT FIRST sight 1t is startling" she
cried eagerly. When my mother and
saw you at Lucerne we thought you
were he. When we learned that Won
we're with Mr.. Willoughby at the time
d his death, you can understand how
bitterly we resented our disappoint-
nent. Forgive me If / am again sus-
Dicious. but that / should find you
he guest of Madame de WARMER now,
1t this time"
IF am to help you. you must trust
me-"
Il win. l do"
Implicitly"
Yes"
Even though circumstances seem
Utterly against me? Even though I
nay seem friend of Madame de Var.
lier-to be in league with her against
'ou?"
She hesftated. "She Is q dangerous
woman. If my poor brother has fallen
victim to her horrible beauty"
Il shall be on my guard" / replied |
ghtly. smiling at her fierce resent
1ent.
But you vii continue to be her
uest Is that wise? How can you ef- |
ect the release Of Captain Forbes II
on remain at the chateau?"
How can learn the truth concern
ig your brother how can 1 do my ut
lost to save his honor (if It be not yet
DO late), unless remain at the cha
unless am on apparent
ood terms with Madame de varnier?s
You are testing my belief In you to
he utmost. Mr.. Haddon. l suppose
on smooth the suspicious Of your
ostess as readily as you do mine"
She spoke bitterly. And II she found
difficult to trust me now, how much
ore difficult when she learned. not
le whole truth, but damning half
nth.
"Ah. you are wavering already lin
le trust you have promised to give
e. Great God, you think that 1t IL q
easant task have set myself? To
nile on this woman, to play the hypo-
lite, to spy on her when | am her
lest. that ! may dog her. coax her
to telling the truth, that may en-.
ap her accomplish and herself at the
ght moment? Miss Brett, would |
ash my hands of this ugly business
! had not sworn to endure every
nominy and risk of being misunder.
pod not only by a man like Captain
'rbes by by yourself. tell you that
have not clear field to carry out
= plans-if fail, or am bafied BY
me welimeanfng intruder, l am q
sgraced man. No one will believe
defence-not even you. l may .
en- be dragged to prison as a com