Mexico Missouri message., 1916-06-29

the command OF La Barre. His word
was law in the colony, and from II
there was no appeal, save to the king.
Through swimming mist / saw his
face, stern, dark, threatening, and then
gllmpsed Cassion approaching me,
smile curling his thin lips. / shrank
back from him, yet arose to my feet,
trembling so that l chung to the chair
to keep erect.
"DO not touch me, monsieur" said
in a 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. mademoiselle? You
would dare disObey me?'
I caught my breath, gripping the
chair with both hands.
mo, Monsieur lie Governor" 1 an
swered, surprised at the clearness with
which l spoke. "That would be use
less; you have behind you the power Of
France, and l am 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 1 see
here"
"Pere le Guard is chaplain of my
household"
"And servant to your will, monsieur.
'Tis known in all New France he is
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. 1 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, land must perform the
sacred duties of my office. TITS 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 grlpped my arm. 1.-THE
girl hath lost her head, and such con-
troversy is unseemly in my presence.
Pere lie Guard, let the ceremony pro-
coed"
"'Tis your order, monsieur"
GAY! do l not speak my will plainly
enough? Come, the hour is late, and
our kings business is of more import
than the whim of 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 all
that occurred, realized the significance
of every word and act, yet it was as If
they appertained to someone else.
felt the clammy touch of Cassion's
hand on my neryeless fingers, and I
must have answered the interrogation
les of the priest, for his voice drOned
on, meaningless to the end. 1t was
only in the silence which followed that
seemed to regain consciousness, and
new grip on my numbed faculties.
Indeed l 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 l felt seethed to
the surface. A heavy paper knife lay
on the desk, and l gripped it in my
fingers, and stepped back, facing them.
The mist seemed to roll away, and 1
saw their faces, and there must have
been that in mine to startle them, for
even La Barre gave back a step, and
the grin faded from the thin lips of
the commissaire.
"'Tis ended them I said. and my
voice did not falter. 81 am this mans
wife. Very well, you have had your
way! now I will have mine. Listen
to what l shall say, Monsieur lie Gou-
verneur, and you also, Francois Cas-
sion. BY rite of church you call me
wife, but that is your only claim. l
know your law, and that this cere-
mOny has sealed my lips. 1 am your
captive, nothing more; you can rob me
now-but, mark you! all that you will
ever get is money. Monsieur Cassion, If
you dare lay so much as a finger on
me, will kill you as l would a snake.
l know what say, and mean it, 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 l am
still mistress of my. soul, and of my
body. You hear me, messieurs? 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 hand to
wipe away drops of perspiration. La
Barre crumpled the paper he held
savagely.