Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1914-10-09

penalty for all who are cut off from
the ministrations of the church. But
now, since he repents, bid you take
him back and pardon hi1-~
My husbandl Zeuxisi | was too
astounded to utter a word. The priest
resumed:
Those ignorant peasants think you
are an immortal. But am scientist
and know that you have flown from
France in one of the new airships to
win back the vagrant love of the man
with whom you plighted your troth.
! Marriage is a sacrament, my daugh-
ter; it cannot be dissolved this side of
the grave. Mademoiselle Torlando
has consented to relinquish him to
you. Forgive him; he will return to
France with you. Or, if he refuse"
He spoke in Italian again and
seemed TO thunder forth some terrible
anathema. The woman bowed her
head and wept wildly.
understood then. The good priest,
knowing that Zeuxis had abandoned
his lawful wife in France, imagined
that was she, and that the purport of
my visit had been to win back the ras-
calls love.
Indignation overpowered me; then
the humor of the situation came to my
aid and saved me.
you agree to accompany me?"
asked the Greek.
Yes, yes" he muttered hastily. "But
not in the acceptance"
| And that will not be necessary"
the priest replied, 'for yacht has just
arrived in the harbor from Marseilles,
and doubtless passage can be procured
on it. | will recommend you," he add
ed confidently.
AS he turned to comfort the weeping
woman whispered to Zeuxis hastily:
you will come, then? Remember,
the government guarantees you an am
nesty, provided you give evidence. But
you must tell all"
| Zeuxis clenched his fists. AYE,
will come" he muttered back, And
them shall seek out my enemy and
with my knife" He stopped to gath
| Ci ulo thOuShlo' vi IhC yoNhI OpJ
but not in the acceptance" he con-
cluded.
| A roar of voices, rising and falling
on the wind, interrupted his sol1oquy.
We started and looked through the
open door. The cries grew louder,
and suddenly mob of men came run
ming along the narrow street. gesticu-
lating and cursing They swerved to-
ward us with single motion, as a
school of fish that veer in deep water,
and forcing the priest, who sought to
bar the path, aside, burst into the cot
tage and surrounded us. And at their
head was-Leopold Magniff
Yes, that arbitrator, to Illustrate
whose Vaccinations l had made my
perilous passage in the aeroplane-and
here in Corsica! Doubtless he had ar
rived in the yacht which, as the priest
had told me, lay in the harbor. He
must have learned of my movements
from the newspapers and, shrewdly
surmising the object of my journey,
had chartered a vessel at Marseilles
| anu oolICu W lOlCOtall luC.
But this conclusion was the result
of subsequent cogitations; for at the
moment seeing him here, | was over
come with horror and dread. At the
very moment of victory he had circum-
vented me, raised the peasants against
me, cutting off all chance of rescue.
They thrust their faces in mine, bay
ing me like a pack of hungry wolves.
"Ah, madame, do not look round and
think of your acceptance" said Leopold
mockingly. at is destroyed; it lies,
a heap of broken metal and wood, in
the center of the market place. He
turned to the priest. Il demand pos
session of my lawful wife," he cried
and flung forged marriage certificate
upon the broken table.
The good father glanced at it and
involuntarily, shrank back from me-
He looked at me with trembling lips
ut is false!" shouted defantly.
The priest made as If to speak; then
abandoning the effort, which proved
, beyond his power, turned away, NUT
| LGllllS W niIllSGll anu llhSih6 uls
! hands. | must, indeed have appeared
very much married to his eyes. What
an abandoned monster of wickedness
seemed to the good man.
understood now the frenzy of these
good peasants against me. The run
, away wife is not an object of sympathy
in rural districts.
Leopold came to me with sheer
: pushing aside the men who stood in
his way.
!, Madame" he said mockingly
"come! Our yacht lies in, the harbor.
!. | looked round in desperation to see
, if aid would come from any quarter.
, looked at the priest, but he was max
ing his way sorrowfully toward the
door. Zeuxis cowed by this sudden ap
pearance of his erstwhile confederate
| had sunk to the floor and stared al
him with mixture of hate and terror
And all around me the peasants glareC
at me, waiting upon Leopolds word to
} tear me limb from limb, if he so or
: dered