The Elbert County tribune., 1916-04-28

Of mind or bodv was In any manner
impaired. but I could discern that he
had begun to detaeh himself. with that
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 l set of for Paris by an
early train. We travelled through the
pleasant, fertile fields of Normandy.
among little old villages where life
seemed at once so simple and SO
kindly that 1t required some little eff
fort of will to realize that we were.
perhaps. rushing into an unknown dam
ger, that the activities OF many enc
mics might even now have laid a trap
fer our undoing. had revealed to my
fiance the story OF Magnifr's threats.
omitting, of course, his vile sugges-
tions that Charles had been a traitor
and sold the treaty. Charles did not
receive the news 30 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 1t never
so cunningly contrived."
We were so fortunate as to have a
compartment to ourselves. 1t 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. 'It is
surely realized at home. My GRANDPA
ther and mother know we love one an
other. Besides, IL any danger does
threaten ue. l can protect you better
as my wife"
You travel very rapidly. monsieur"
| answered. "A moment ago 1t 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 shall show
you the office of registrar" he an
swered. There we shall be formally
betrothed. And then"
Yes. MONSIEUR said, with
feigned coolness.
II 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.
l 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 life-work 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 a maze of small side
streets, up narrow staircase and into
the presence of the registrar. There
we complied with the fermalities
were betrothed-an incident, merely,
in Anglo-Saxon countries, but here a
matter Of severe formality. and neces-
sary preliminary to marriage.
But 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 befall
me l shall be content" he said as we
descended to the street.
Often those words required to me
afterwards.
We arrived at the bank and sent in
our cards. 1 could not avoid thrill
of expectation as to the outcome; I;
would Magniff refuse to see me? But
he did not. He would see both of US,
he said, and we were 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. messenger brought in the
agreement which l had signed three
weeks before.
Your name is Anne Ives" Magniff
said rapidly. glancing over the docu-