The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1913-03-28


er to ccoun to Brachard for her pres
ence in her own way.
Rrachard's appearance was such as
to inspire pity rather than fear. His
shoulders were bent. and he seemed in
actual physical pain. His face was
white and drawn. The lines over his
lips We're like deep c%orrugations. His
lips twitched. and he moved jerkily.
aWkWardly. rs if he had only partial
control OF his muscles. There was Il
disturbing pause after his dramatic but
quiet entrance. broken finally by the
marQui>e. who felt that she must say
something.
IL suppose. Jacques, t%hat-that
YOU
She could not bring herself to speak
Of Anne-Marie'S flight and stopped.
The marquis began:
Yes. my dear Brachard. We
thought-yOu-oh"-
Rrarhard was looking ut him ear.
nestly. and Honore's sentence trailed
off into nothing. He turned helpleSsly
to his wife and then to Max. who had
completely withdrawn from the situa-
ton.
II hope you won't take it amiss."
Rrachard said quietly. but with Il
strained. badly controlled voice. "Amiss
that ] came up. | heSitated."
He stopped. evidently expecting them
to 20. Man. with reader appreciation
Of the situation. turned and beckoncu
his mother and father toward the door.
They were oblivious. Brachard spoke
again.
1T would he better when .Annc-Maric
comes bavk-if-I'l rather be alone
with her"
Max turned away from the window
now and bcrkoned furiou>lN to his
mother and the marquis. Both moved
slowly toward the door
Il hop" YOU will excuse me" Bra
chard finished politely.
At last the maruui>c found her voice
again.
"Why, certainly. JacQues." She said
hurriedly, tutterin"ly. You see, as
We-;ls we heard YOU were both away
she went Oh in lame explanation, w
thought it might be Cur Duty
Il a certain eXtcnt-tO Il certain OK
tent" the marquis supplemented.
Nov. of course. that YOU are home
we will GO the marquis concluded.
Max breathed Il fervcnt "Thani
heaven.' anG tried to push his mother
toward the door. The marquise, how
ever. went back to Brachard and held
out her hand for n final farewell.
MY dear Jacqnes." she said effu-
sively, good night. Good night"
She turned from Brarhard and start
ed toward the door. when the second
apparition appeared. 1t was Anne
Marie, who had come Wy SO quietly
that none had heard her. She looked
like one d%istlaught. Her hair WAS
tumbled over her shoulders. Hell face
was white as marble. Her beautiful
evening gown, the same that she had
worn that evening at her mothers re-
ception. was crumpled and torn, and Il
blood stained handkerchief was twist
cd around her right hand. which she
evidently had injured. She said not Il
word, but walked toward the door OF
her apartments, her mind evidently
failing to take in the significance of
the presence Of her husband, her par
ents and her brother. When she saw
Jacques for the first time she stopped
in Amusement.
The marquise hurriedly made her
farewell speech.
"Ah, here's Anne-Marie" she ex-
claimed, walking over to her. Here
she is. You're reunited again. Now
we can 60, feeling perfectly safe about
, it; but, my child, it is very late, m it
was very imprudent. But I'm glad it
was no worse
Max stepped over and took his moth
err urgently by the arm. ITS dead
and buried" he whispered tiercely in
: her ear. I'VE knew nothing about it.
It never occurred. Com on"
"Good night. my dear jacques!
Good night, Anne-Marie" the marquise
cried, with an assumption of gayety
{. as Max urged her toward the door.
Good night, my children, both OF
you," Honore exclaimed b~enevolently
, as Max pushed him out also.
Max followed his parents out and
closed the door after them. In n few
s minutes he had them bundled into his
friends automobile and was whirlins
them home at a terrific and disquiet
ing rate Of speed.
Brachard waited until his wife's
family had gone. Then he turned to
ward her.
"Good morning." he said in a tone Of
e forced quiet.