The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1916-08-25


my brain-my helplessness 10 resist
the command ~ Ia Barre. His word
was law in the colony. and from IL
there was no appeal. save 20 the king.
Through swimming mist l saw his
face. stern, dark. threatening and then
glimpsed Cassion approaching me,
smile curling his thin lips. l shrank
back from him. yet arose 10 my feet.
trembling SO that clung 10 the chair
to keep erect.
"Do not touch me. monsieur" | said
in voice which scarcely sounded like
my own. Cassion stood still. the smile
OF triumph leaving his face. la Barre
turned. his eyes cold and hard.
what is this. maiemoiselle? You
would dare disobey me?"
caught my breath, gripping the
chair with both hands.
"No. Monsieur lie Governor" l an
swered. surprised at the clearness with
which l spoke. THAT would be use
less; you have behind you the power OF
France, and | am n mere girl. Nor do
appeal, for know well the cause OF
your decision. 1t is indeed my priv
ilege to appeal to Holy church for pro-
lection from this outrage. but not
through such representative as | see
here"
"Pere le Guard is chaplain OF my
household"
And servant to your will. monsieur
L., ntl Bn 10
more diplomat than priest. Nay! |
take back my word. and will make
trial OF his priesthood. Father, | do
not love this man, nor marry him OF
my own free will. I appeal TO you.
TO the church. TO refuse the sanction" ="
The priest stood with fingers inter
locked and head bowed, nor did his
eyes meet mine.
II am but the humble instrument
OF those in authority, daughter" he re-
piled gently. "and must perform the
sacred duties OF my office. 'Tis your
own confession that your hand has
been pledged TO Monsieur Cassion."
"By Hugo Chevet, not myself"
Enough OF this" broke In La Barre
sternly, and he gripped my arm. THE
girl hath lost her head, and such con-
troversy Is unseemly in my presence.
Pere lie Guard. let the ceremony pro-
ceed."
"'1'is your order. monsieurw
SAY! do / not speak my will plainly
enough? Come. the hour IL late, and
t.F, to 90 fY,n
than the whim OF n girl"
never moved. never lifted my eyes.
| was conscious OF nothing, but help
less, impotent anger, OF voiceless
shame. They might force me to go
through the form, but never would
they make me the wife OF this man.
My heart throbbed with rebellion, my
mind hardened into revolt. | knew oil
that occurred. realized the significance
of every word and act. yet IL was az II
they appertained To someone else. j
felt the cammy touch OF Casslon's
hand on my nerveless fingers. and
must have answered the interrogator-
les OF the priest, for his voice droned
on. meaningless TO the end. IL was
only In the silence which followed that
l seemed to regain consciousness, and
new grip on my numbed faculties.
Indeed | was still cropping in the fog.
bewildered. inert, when La Barre gave
utterance To a coarse laugh.
Congratulations. Francois" he
cried. "A fair wife. and not so un-
willing after all. And now your first
kiss"
The sneer OF these words was like
slap in the face. and all the hat
red. and indignation I felt seethed TO
the surface. A heavy paper knife lay
on the desk and l gripped IL I'm my
fingers. and stepped back. facing them.
The mist seemed 10 roll away. and
saw their faces. and there must have
been that I'm mine 10 startle them, for
even La Barre gave back a step, and
the grin faded from the thin lips OF
the commissaire.
"'Tis ended then" said. and my
voice did not falter. 81 am this mans
wife Very well. you have had your
way! now / will have mine. Listen
TO what | shall say. Monsieur le Gou-
verneur. and you also. Francois Cas-
sion. BY rite OF church you call me
wife. but that is your only claim.
know your law. and that this cere-
mony has sealed my lips. / am your
captive. nothing more; you can rob me
nOw-but. mark you! all that you will
ever get is money Monsieur Cassion, II
you dare lay so much az finger on
me. will kill you as I would a snake.
know what / say. and mean II. You
kiss me- Try it. monsieur if you
doubt how my race repays insult
will go with you; will bear your
name; this the law compels. but / am
still mistress OF my soul. and OF my
body. You hear me, messleurs? You
understand
Cassion stood leaning forward, just
where my first words had held him
motionless. As paused his eyes were
on my face. and he lifted a hand 30
wipe away drops OF perspiration. In
Barre crumpled the paper he held
savagely.
$50" he exclaimed, 1--WE have un-
oba tfo,nr NVaT stfa a.