The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1913-06-13

l InOuGnt l naQ ulScONeTeu-
but I was wrong. Why die
~ you return that ni-ht:'
That her husbands abandonment q
bis trip to London had a close relation
to herself Anne-Marie was now almost
certain. Then Brachard spoke.
"A denunciation.' he replied bluntly
II was told to watch. to look after you
better"
but YOU were not really going to
London:' Anne-Marie said.
Pardon me. I was goinr.'
But YOU caused this panic?"
Il did
And you must have been thinking
about it for a long time
1T never crossed my mind until yes
terday morning at t O'clock
Anne-Marie still thought that the
financial collapse was a part Of a pre-
conceived plan Of his by which he had
hoped to reap an additional fortune.
1.-The idea first came to me when l
turned the key on you and locked you
In my rooms" he went on.
Anne-Marie still wondered. For the
first time her heart warmed to Bra
chard. She was weary Of the hypocrisy.
the stupid prejudice. Of her caste. She
longed to throw herself into his arms,
to find refuge there. But she was still
uncertain of his love.
Jacques, seriously and frankly. do I
count for anything in your life:" she
asked.
He bent over her.
"Anne-Marie, the other nicht-it
seems remote nowhere in this room T
fought with myself to try to control the
overwhelming agony of my mind. Aft
er your confession that it was Govain.
that coXcomb, that traitor: when YOU
described that supper to me-that dis
reputable supper-with bad women as
the guests and you. my wife, in the
midst OF that riffraff-my W wife.
my Anne-Nfarie-I was tortured with
Jealousy, for l loved you so deeply."
He spoke with intense feeling. Anne
Marie, controlling herself with diff
Guilty, asked:
well, and what then:'
Brachard heaved his big shoulders. |
well. and then the story of Samson !
came into my mind. Like him, | WAS
bllnded-by rage and grief. I seized
the pillars of the temple in nv arms.
The temple in this case was the Stock |
Exchange of France. l shattered if to
its foundations"
You undoubtedly did that, Anne
Marie said.
NOW can forgive and forget" Bra !
chard continued. Il can say to myself. |
The past is past
The future is before me. Yes. ves
it is before me. and | can look ahnad !
Tor held Jerome Govain by tho
throat. and he danced to my Dining
while emptied his pockets. 1t wasn't
very wonderful to do, I thought. but if
was the best thing ! could think of ot
the moment.
"1he same crash overwhelmed MS |
both. That scoundrel will go under
Tor good, but such is not the case with
me. My hands and brains know how
to make money.
"And why shouldn't we look at things
as they are: Why shouldn't your eyes
be opened? I said to myself. He talks
IN a way that she likes. He speaks
OF honor and loyalty and bravery. He
sends challenges. He offers to fight.
But II avenge the woman love-"
Anne-Marie was seated on the diyan. |
listening to him, with her face hidden
in her hands.
Il am the real hero: he is the COW
ardly villain" Brachard cried. Il said
to myself: If Anne-Marie can only be
brought to see this at once, her natural
pride will make her realize it's truth.
She will distinguish the true from the
false. Perhaps even her heart may
be touched. 1t IS possible that she
may soften her heart toward me. so
that she will love me a little, Just a
tiny little bit.."
Anne-Marie was deeply touched.