Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1910-06-10
From the Play Of
the Same Name
by Booth Tark-
iuston and Harry
Leon Wilson ~

Are you NWUIe. He ueo"iueu
THAT such Il statement must have an
explanation"
Raou shrugged his shoulders.
"Explanati0n," he repeated. "She
saw me and went away. That is quite
sufficient for me. But for yourself.
he added. He did not finish. Instead
he said slowly:
II said | bad no explanation. l
haven't. Rnt hc"- be Indicated the
young recruit with a little jerk Of his
head-"he has"
De Valette turned sharply to Craw-
ley.
And then It was that there came
among them Madeleine. She came a
wan little figure. golden hair. In which
the sunbeams dwelt. disheveled. white
dress draggled. torn. She came slow
" and with infinite WEAKNESS, yet
with great glndness. too. for. though
the way had Gaen lang and very hard.
yet her heart was light.
Father, she cried. And again.
Father
He turned to her. taking her in his
arms-clasping her to him.
MY Gau' Hteri" he said. His voice
broke a little. you've come back to
u.s."
I'm so vcry tired" she sighed. "Ive
come 50 far" Her eres fell ON NJ.
Raoul &c Vaiette standing there look
* .t her. She rose, courtseying to
aim.
"Ah. M'sieur Raoul." she said little
shyly. lin afraid can't marry
you-now. I-you see. 1t was just as
you said. One clings to another In
spite of fear or shame orr Weary
eyes fell upon the shock haired young
recruit. Weary eyes grew round.
Your she cried. "You were with
the soldiers! Why have you come
back? Is the battle over?"
He answered slowly:
"You were with Gilbert Steele. were
you not?"
De Valette started.
with Gilbert SteeleY' he repeated.
And again, with Gilbert Steele2"
She nodded lightly.
why, yes" she said. "But Gilbert
had to go on"
She did not see her fathers look.
She went on lightly. easily. explain
to-
Ra0ul said. 1t comes all in one second.
And 1t did to us. The very first time
! saw Gilbert You mustn't be an.
cry, father. You mustn't punish me
for something / couldn't help. Gil
bert had to go. But as soon as he
conquers the British he's coming back
for me, and them
She glanced up at last. She saw
his face and the look thereon. 1t did
not need his word to check her speech.
II thought you were only lost" he
said slowly, very slowly, and his voice
was low and clear and cold.
But, father" she protested, fearing
now a little, "you don't understand!
Gilbert is coming back for me! M'sieur
Raoul Is not angry. See? He fOrglves
me, don't you, m'sieur? He"- She
paused helpless; further words she
could not find.
1t was then that Crawley started to
60, but word from the priest checked
him. The boy protested.
'But l must hurry to the village" he
asserted doggedly. Il carry bad
news"
Madeleine's eyes grew wide with
fear.
mot of the soldiersr' she cried.
'Not off,
1.-THE English have beaten u.s." he
declared. ut was a massacre"
"But Gilbertw Her voice was almost
a wall.
''They put us out in front-right up
to the British guns" the boy con-
tinued. 'They were all killed"
For q moment she was silent, help
less in the horror Of it all. Then her
voice rose shrilly.
mot Gilbert! All, God! Not GIL
bertr'
At length she heard, as from a great
distance, the voice of her father.
Gilbert Steele has paid the penalty
In DEATH" it said. Another shall
pay 1t In the living. Sister, we 90 to.
the chapel to pray for Madeleine, who
was a De Valette. There is duty to
perform the custom of our house.
Louise, the candles"
Then she heard her own voice.
Scarcely did she know 1t.
"The candles" it cried. "The chapel
What can 1t all mean? There Is NO
Il MUST HURRY TO THE VILLAGE. I
CARRY BAD NEWS"
one dead here! Father-Aunt Mar
guerlte-Louise"-
The voice Of Nj. de Valette said slow
ly:
"We 60 to pray for one who was
loved. but is no more"
The priest came forward. He clasp
ed in ais arms the frail, frightened lit
tie body that held the frail, frightened
little soul. He cried:
"Stop! You say you are going to
pray. To whomT
ITO God" replied De valette stern
~.
"You put your belief in a God so
warped in your own false traditions
that he would help you avenge griev-
ance of family prideF'
The priest was as stern as the mas
ter.
Remember" he went on, "that the
great God is the God Of love. Pray.
but pray to him"
Madeleine had turned from him ere
he finished. She spoke swiftly. wildly.
a a..