Middletown transcript., 1914-07-18

natural change which comes upon the
very old, from the more active and
external interests Of life.
believe that in my coming he be-
held pardon for his crime in driving
my father from his roof-a crime
which he had repented Bitterly through
all those years that had elapsed since
that unhappy time.
Charles and set on for Paris by an
early train. We travelled through the
pleasant, fertile fields of Normandy,
among little old villages where life
seemed at once SD simple and so
kindly that it required some little ef-
fort of will to realize that we were,
perhaps, rushing into an unknown dan
ger, that the activities of many enc
mics might even now have laid trap
for our undoing. had revealed to my
fiance the story of Magniff's threats,
emitting, of course, his vile sugges-
tions that Charles had been a traitor
and sold the treaty. Charles did not
receive the news so lightly as l had
expected.
Let us go straight ahead, confident
in our own integrity, Anne he an
swered. "Then let them do their
worst They cannot harm US; treachery
always recoils upon itself, be it never
so cunningly contriyed."
We were so fortunate as to have a
compartment to ourselves. It was so
charming to be seated together, side
by side. Charles placed his arm round
me and drew me to him.
viii you let me announce our en-
gagement, Amer he pleaded. at is
surely realized at home. My grandfa-
ther and mother know we love one an
other. Besides, if any danger does
threaten US, 1 can protect you better
as my wife"
"You travel very rapidly, monsieur, F."
1 answered. "a moment ago it was
merely an announcement Of the en-
gagement that you required. And now
you end the sentence by proposing an
other relationship"
when we reach Paris l shall show
you the Office of registrar" he an
swered. There we shall be formally
betrothed And then"
Eyes, monsieur?" I said, with
feigned coolness.
81 shall serve formal notice upon my
mother and grandfather of our be-
trothal, in accordance with the pro-
visions of the Code Napoleon" he
answered.
1 had listened with beating heart to
the unfolding of these proposals, but
the mention Of the code brought in
stantly to my memory the image of lit
tie Mr.. Spratt, presenting me with his
famous code. Take this volume
my hfe-work a COM
piliation of love you will need
it abroad" the little man had gasped
as handed it to me. And now in every
crisis of my life, it seemed, the vision
of Mr. Spratt was destined to arise like
some specter confronting me. l be-
came suddenly silent.
Charles carried out his program.
Upon our arrival at the terminus he
hurried me along maze of small side
streets, up narrow staircase and into
the presence of the registrar. There
we complied with the formalittes
which the famous code prescribed. We
were betrothed-an incident, merely,
in Anglo-Saxon countries, but here a
matter of severe formality, and neces-
sary preliminary to a marriage.
But l leaned happily upon his arm
as we descended the narrow staircase.
The happiness, the perfect Joy in the
irrevocability of the step, thrilled me.
Winnipeg seemed like a distant mem
ory of some former, dimly remem-
bered existence at that moment.
"And now, should anything befan
me l shall be content" he said as we
descended to the street.
Often those words recurred to me
afterwards.
We arrived at the bank and sent in
our cards. could not avoid a thrill
Of expectation as to the outcome;
would Magniff refuse to see me? But
he did not. He would see both of US,
he said, and we we're ushered almost
Immediately into his private Office.
There he sat, half buried among his
ledgers, as on the occasion Of my for
mer visit to him; but this time he was
attended by a couple Of severe-looking
functionaries in semi-uniform. He
bowed distantly to Charles and bade
US be seated.
"The Chevalier DIVES attends,
take it, as an interested party" said
Magniff, looking at me through his
gold glasses. There was peculiar ex-
preston upon his features; a sort of
cunning triumph, as though he held
the situation perfectly in hand.
We bowed our acknowledgment to
the suggestion. Then, at a summons
by bell, a messenger brought in the
agreement which l had signed three
weeks before.
"Your name is Anne Ives" Magniff
said rapidly, glsncing over the docu-
ment. "You claim to be the grand
daughter Of the Comte DIVES, Of Gil
chy, Normandy, and the possessor of
certain bonds now in one Of our safes.
You have sold these to me for $4,000
francs, payable upon delivery"
AS l admitted each of these several
propositions the banker handed the
document to the functionaries, who
glanced at it, swiftly, and then at me
and Charles.
"The Duplicate key has been fash
icned," Magnif continued, "and these
gentlemen are the government officials
whose presence at the unlocking of
the safe is required under the Code
Napoleon"
The pale and studious face Of little
~ cr-.-aA .A-.a ...A hna-.o - .---..