Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1914-09-18
CHAPTER VI-Continued.

Put they shall not" | repeated,
frowning. Charles, you know l am
mascot. All my friends have told me
that. Did I not bring luck to you as
passenger in the machine? And didn't
I get Estelle Christie inside the abbey
to see the coronation? / say that Gil
chy shall never fall into Magnsf's
hands. Why, has it withstood seven
seiges by the English and two by Bur
gundy, not to speak Of countless gal
liant defenses in olden times against
Trenchmen themselves; in the wars
OF the Fronde, against the Huguenots,
against Henry Of Navarro and Richie
lieu, even that it should succumb now
to a paltry' mortgage?
Bravo" said Charles, clapping his
hands. your eyes fash fire, dear
Anne. If they were mortars and used
iii our defense, warrant Clichy should
never go under"
Mock me as you please an
ewered, little petulantly, "Clichy
shall be saved, or will never be called
mascot again."
Thursday came, the last day accord
ed US, and the interest was as far Off
as ever. 1t was sad gathering that
morning at the breakfast table. Every
thing was packed, and we were to re-
move to the little cottage at Rambouil-
let owned by the comtes daughter,
where they hoped to find precarious
existence for a while on few thou
sand francs that remained Of her
dowry.
1T will last US a year, Anne" said
the comte grinly. And then-well,
j am not likely to see the next. And
Charles can take care of his mother
somehow"
| could not restrain sob. But my
money from Magniff!" l cried. you
must take it; can earn my own living
lin future, as in the past. On that you
can live decently, at least"
The comte smiled sadly.
We'll talk Of that when the time
comes, Anne" he answered. AT least
I've are not yet dispossessed."
Nor shall be-" l replied defantly.
~Does not the law give three days
grace to u.s."
Three days or thirty" answered
the chevalier, ut is all one to US now"
And while we still sat talking over
OUR plans, we saw smartly fitted dog
cart turn up the drive and there de-
scended-Leopold Magniff, Jr.!
] confess that l was thoroughly I'M
nerved at the sight of this man. had
never believed that he would dare to
cross my path again. The memory Of
my threats which he had made on the
occasion Of our last interview required
to me and afflicted me with a present
ment of overwhelming horror
He came in jauntily, bowling to all
Of US, an affectation of regretful hui
anility hardly concealing an air Of OBJ
Sious triumph. The comte and the
chevalier arose grimly and stood con-
fronting him, like two statues Of
stone
Monsieur" said our visitors, address
ing each alternately, and becoming dis
concerted as neither appeared to rec
ognize his remarks, but merely stood
to receive him monsieur, it is with
deep regret that | come to receive the
interest upon my fathers mortgage or,
in default, to take possession Of the
chateau"
Then at last the comte spoke, and
each word seemed wrenched from the
fbers of his heart.
1--WE cannot meet the interest. The
chateau is at your disposal"
Stop" | cried THE law allows
three days Of grace, | believe"
Magniff turned toward me and
bowed sneeringly.
quite so, mademoiselle," he an
severed But it permits me to take
possession Immediately pending this
period"
The old comte touched bell and