The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1910-11-24

to accomplish it? Was 1t not beyond
my poor strength? After all, did honor
demand of me UGH a sacrifice?
But l put that thought from me for
scorching words which had been ut
tered to me on the road from Dali
ron. I must accomplish it, or prove
myself unworthy Of that temple in
which she had enshrined me. 1 put
my hand into my bosom n touched
the note I carried there, repeating
its one word over and over to myself.
Courage! Couragel Courage!"
And in that moment my doubts
fell away, never to return. I was
armed, cap-a-pie, against whatever ar
rows fate might launch.
AT last I turned and motioned my
attendant to come forward.
What is our manner" I asked,
noting his intelligent face.
"Bertin, monsieur"
you left your master in good
health, I trust2"
I'm excellent health, monsieur"
And your mistress?"
'She also, monsieur. I have
seen her looking better"
let me see." I went On, MA
dame de Benseval is dead, is she not?"
'oh, these many years, monsieur"
There was only one child?"
"Only one. monsieur
How old Is she?"
nineteen, monsieur"
1t was on the tip of my tongue to
ask him if she was beautiful, but I
checked the question back. It was In
discreet-and, after all, what did it
matter?
'They have been greatly worried
at monsieur's failure to appear" he
added.
I almost groaned aloud.
IN. de Benseval said he had beer
avnacfino MAI rl1rpol1raH maChan-
ically.
ooh. yes; for a week almost. He
had made arrangements for the fete,
but of course it was postponed when
monsieur failed to appear"
Postponed until when, Bertin?" I
questioned.
1T is to take place tomorrow, If
monsieur approves" he answered and
glanced at me quickly.
This time I could not wholly suppress
the groan, but managed to change 1t
into a cough. The end was nearer than
1 had thought.
We rode on in silence after that,
for I had no more questions to ask,
nor, apparently, had Berth any in
just as dusk was falling, we trotted
around a turn in the road Inc saw
before us the walls and towers Of
Poitiers rising tier upon tier to the
cathedral which crowns the sum-
NIT Of the hill upon which the town
the rays Of the setting sum-. but dark
ness a fallen ere we crossed the
bridge which led into the town; and
once engulfed in its narrow, steep
and tortuous streets, I had soon lost
all sense of direction, and appreciated
more than ever NJ. Bensevals wis
dom in sending me a guide.
For my companion seemed to know
his way perfectly, turned this way
and that without hesitation and at
last drew rein before a house at
whose door a torch was flaring.
Here we are" he said, as he threw
himself from the saddle and helped me
to dismount. This way, monsieur"
Scarcely had we set foot on the low
est step, when the door burst open and
a mar appeared on the thresholds
man tall, Of commanding presence,
with the nopiest countenance I had
eve seen.
"'Tavernay!" he cried, his arms ex
tended. "Tavernay!"
And I. as though I had found a sec.
ond father, sprang up the steps anc
threw myself into them.
know not how 1t was, but at h
end OF 9 moment, was telling my.
to be near a man like this. He lee
me IN, across the vestibuie to tn,
drawing room beyond. and sat M
dow and looked at me.
"yon are your father over again, m,
boy" he said, at last, n his face wa.
very tender. II see already that I an
going to love youi"
. I could find no word to answer, blu
7 think he e my heart In my face
for he held out his hand and grippeS
mine.
"And now" he continued, before 70,
meet my daughter, I desire to tall
frankly with you for a moment.
, have sometimes wondered II your ia
! Their and I were wise to bind you whel
you were only a child. After all,
man should choose for himself. 70
. marriage without love Is not marriage
and good or bad, there is no escap
!. once the vows are taken. I know tn
, Paris fashion; I know that there ar
many fathers who do not believe as
. dol: they think me a fool-which /
5 not SO harsh a name as I sometime
: apply to them. Your father was tn
: dearest friend I ever had: I certainl,
do not intend to make his son un
: 'Monsieur," 1 said. at am alread,
b%ettrothed to your daughter. II sh
does not love another
, NO he said quickly: 81 can an
!. swer for that"
/ "Then. monster, 1 am ready 10 es
. pouse her, and I will do my best t
make her happy"
. He gripped my hand again. hi
1 eyes very bright.
.I am sire OF st." he said: .Tbut !
= is not a question Of her happiness
: but OF yours. That she will find 20
a true and tender husband I do no
which you should know. She LIZ