Middletown transcript., 1914-07-18
CHAPTER vI-continusd.

'But they shall not" l repeated
frowning. "Charles, you know l am
mascot. All my friends have told me
that. Did 1 not bring luck to you as a
passenger in the machine? And didn't
/ get Estelle Christie inside the abbey
to see the coronation? l say that Gil
chy shall never fall into Magnin's 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
Frenchmen 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 flash fire, dear
Anne. If they were mortars and used
in our defense, warrant Clichy should
never go under"
mock me as you please" an
swered, a little petulantly, "Clichy
shall be saved, or 1 will never be called
mascot again"
ed us, and the interest was as far on
as ever. 1t was a 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 comte's daughter,
where they hoped to find a precarious
existence for while on a few thou
sand francs that remained OF her
dowry.
1T will last us a year, Anne" said
the comte grimly. And then-well,
am not likely to see the next. And
Charles can take care Of his mother
somehow"
l could not restrain a sob. But my
money from Magniff!" l cried. You
must take it; 1 can earn my own living
in future, as in the past On that you
can live decently, at least"
The comte smiled sadly.
Wen talk of that when the time
comes, Anne" he answered. "At least
we are not yet dispossessed."
Nor shall be-" I replied dehantly.
Does not the law give three days
grace to us?"
Three days or thirty" answered
the chevalier, ''it 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 Magnih, Jr.!
1 confess that 1 was thoroughly un-
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 recurred
to me and aflcted me with a present
ment Of overwhelming horror.
He came in jauntily, bowing to all
of us, an affectation of regretful hui
mility hardly concealing an air Of OBJ
vious triumph. The comts 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 OF,
in default, to take possession Of the
chateau"
Then at last the comte spoke, and
each word seemed wrenched from the
flbers of his heart.
I'VE cannot meet the interest. The
chateau is at your disposal"
"Stop!" 1 cried. 1.-THE law allows
three days of grace, 1 believe"
Magnih turned toward me and
bowed sneeringly.
Quite so, mademoiselle," he an
swered. But It permits me to take
possession Immediately pending this
period"
The old comts touched bell and