The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1910-11-24
CHAPTER xxvII-(continued.)

read it through twice in order to
give myself time to recover from the
blow, especially from the poniard-
stroke or that final sentences, which
Silled the last vestige OF hope that
mad treasured in my heart.
Very we'll" l said, at last This
was very thoughtful Of your master.
Have the horses got ready and l VIII
toin you in a moment"
He fastened away, and when, hav-
ing finished my coffee, l descended
into the courtyard of the inn. found
him awaiting me, with the horses ac-
.outered for the journey. i swung
INTO the saddle and cantered out from
he inn, he followed pace behind.
But my serenity Of the morning had
vanished utterly. MOI that was face
20 face with the task which awaited
me, now that there was no longer
chance of evasion or escape, the blood
turned to water in my veins, my very
soul trembled. To make love to wom-
an did not love, to appear before her
always with a smile upon my lips and
soft words upon my tongue, to play the
gallant when my heart was far away,
20 lead her to the church, to be bound
to her irrevocably, and finally to pass
the remainder of my life In her COM
pany, always with deceit in my face
In word, to live q lie!-that was the
task had set myself. Would be able
to accomplish 1t? Was it not beyond
my poor strength? After ALL did honor
demand of me such a sacrifice?
But 1 put that thought from me for
the last time as l recalled certain
scorching words which had been ut
tered to me on the road from Dali
ron. ] must accomplish 1t, or prove
myself unworthy OF that temple in
which she had enshrined me. I put
my hand into my bosom and touched
the note l carried there, repeating
it's one word over and over to myself.
Courage! Courage! Courage!"
And in that moment my doubts
fell away, never to return. l was
armed, cap apple, against whatever ar
rows fate might launch.
At last L turned and motioned my
attendant to come forward.
What is your manner" I asked
noting his intelligent face.
Berth, monsieur"
You left your master in good
health, I trust?"
I'm excellent health, monsieur"
And your mistress?"
"She also, monsieur. I have never
seen her looking better"
Let me see," went on, Ma
"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 IL she was beautiful. but l
checked the question back 1t was in
discreet-and, after all, what did it
matter?
"They have been greatly worried
at monsieur's failure to appear" he
added.
1 almost groaned aloud.
IN. de Benseval said he had been
Inn Va1 rGn
ically.
"Oh, yes; for a week almost. He
had made arrangements for the fete.
but Of course 1t was postponed when
monsieur failed to appear"
Postponed until when. Bertin?" 1
questioned.
1T is to take place tomorrow. IL
monsieur approves" he answered and
glanced at me quickly.
This time / could not wholly suppress
the groan. but managed to change 1t
into cough. The end was nearer than
I had thought.
We rode on in silence after that,
for had no more questions to ask,
nor, apparently, had Berth any in
formation to volunteer. And at last,
just as dusk was falling, we trotted
around a turn in the road and saw
before us the walls and towers of
|
cathedral which crowns the sum-
nit of the hill upon which the town
is. built. 1t looked warm and gay in
the rays Of the setting sun, but dark
| ness had 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 M. Bensevars wis
dom in sending me 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 man appeared on the threshhold-a
man tall, of commanding presence,
with the noblest countenance had
ever seen.
"Tavernay!" he cried, his arms ex-
tended. "Tavernay!"
And I. as though had found sec
ond father, sprang up the steps and
threw myself into them.
| ] know not how it was, but at the
end of moment, 1 was telling my
self that ii was worth some sacrifice
| TO ne near man ike InlS. he leo
me In, across the vestibule to the
drawing room beyond, and sat me
| down and looked at me.
"You are your father over again, my
boy" he said, at last, and his face was
very tender. IT see already that am
going to love you'll"
| I could find no word to answer, but
/ think he read my heart in my face,
for he held out his hand and gripped
| mine.
4 "And now" he continued, before you
meet my daughter, / desire to talk
frankly with you for moment.
have sometimes wondered IL YOUR IA
Their and / were wise to bind you when
you were only a child. After all, a
man should choose for himself. for
marriage without love is not marriage,
and good or bad. there is no escape
| once the vows are taken. / know the
Paris fashion, / know that there are
| many fathers who do not believe as 7
do: they think me fool--which is
not so harsh name as I sometimes
apply to them. Your father was the
dearest friend I ever had: I certainly
do not intend to make his son I'M
happy
Monsieur" I said, at am already
bethrothed to your daughter. If she
does not love another"
NO" he said quickly; IT can an