The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1916-12-01


my brain-my helplessness to resist
the command Of La Barre. His word
was law in the colony. and from it
there was no appeal, ave to the king
Through swimming mist I saw his
face, stern, dark, threatening. and then
glimpsed Cassion approaching me, a
smile curling his thin lips. I shrank
back from him, yet arose to my feet,
trembling 80 that I chung to the chair
to keep erect.
do not touch me, monsieur I said
In q 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, m~ademoiselle? You
would dare disobey meY
I caught my breath, gripping the
chair with both hands.
mo. Monsieur lie Governor" I an
swered, surprised ut the clearness with
which l spoke. "That would be use
less; you have behind you the power OF
France. and l am q mere girl. Nor do
I appeal, for I know we'll the cause Of
your decision. It is indeed my priv
ilege to appeal to Holy church for pro-
lection from this outrage, but not
through such representative AZ l see
here"
"Pcre le Guard IL chaplain Of my
household"
And servant to your will, monsieur.
lis known in all New France he Is
more diplomat than priest. Nay.
take back my word, and will make
trial Of his priesthood. Father. I do
not love this man, nor marry him OF
my own free will. 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.
q" am but the humble instrument
OF those In authority, daughter" he re
piled gently, 'and must perform the
sacred duties Of my office. IT'S 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 IL unseemly IN my presence.
Pere le Guard, let the ceremony pro
coed"
IT'S your order, monsieur"
"Ay! do l not speak my will plainly
enough? Come, the hour Is late, and
kings business II OF more import
than the within Of a girl"
never moved, never lifted my eyes.
I was conscious Of nothing. but help
iess, impotent anger, Of voiceless
They might force me to 20
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 al
that occurred. realised thu significance
Of every word and act. yet 1t was as II
they appertained to someone else. 1
felt the clammy touch OF Cass.on's
hand on my nerveless fingers, and I
must have answered the interrogation
les Of the priest, for his voice droned
on. meaningless to the end. It was
only In the silence which followed that
I seemed to regain consciousness, and
a new grip on my numbed faculties.
Indeed l was still cropping in the fog,
bswildered. inert, when La Barre gave
utterance to q coarse laugh.
Congratulations. Francois" be
cried. "a fair wife, and not % un-
willing after all. And now your frst
kiss"
The sheer OF these words was like
a slap in the face, and all the hat
red. and Indignation I felt scethed to
the surface. A heavy paper knife lay
on the desk. end I grpped it in my
fingers, and stepped back, facing them.
The mist seemed to roll away, and I
saw their faces. aud there must have
been that in mine to startle them, for
wen La Barre gave back 4 step. and
the grin faded from tho thin lips Of
the commissaire.
IT'S ended them" l said. and my
voice dA not falter. II am this mans
wife. Very well, yeu have had your
wayl o I will have mine. Listen
to what l shall say, Monsieur ls Gou-
verneur. and you also. Francois Cas-
sion. ny rite o. church you call ne
wife, but that = your only claim. I
know your law. md that this cere-
mony has sealed my lips. l am your
captive, nothing moro: you can rob me
now-but, mark you! all that you will
W get is money. Monsieur Cassion, II
you darc lay so much as a finger on
l will kill you ~ l would a snake.
/ know what I ssy. and moan 1t. You
kiss me-. Try It. monsieur, II you
doubt how my nee repays Insult. I
will 80 With you; I will bear your
name: this the law compels, but I am
still mistress Of my soul. and OF my
body. You hear me, messieurs? You
understand? ?"
Cassion stood leanin: forward, just
where my first words had held him
motionless. A I paused his eyes were
on my face, and he lifted a hand to
wipe away drops Of Precipitation. La
Barre crumpled the paper be held
savaEely.
49," hs exclaimed, I'VE have un-
chained 4 tiger cat. Well, all this Is