The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1916-07-27

tetu.
"'Tls your order. monsleur?"
"Ay! do not speak my will plainly
enough? Come, the hour is late, and
our kings business is OF more import
than the whlm OF girl"
never moved, never lifted my eyes,
l was conscious Of nothing, but help
less, impotent anger, Of voiceless
shame. They might force me to 90
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 II was as II
they appertalned to someone else. |
felt the clammy touch OF Casslon's
hand on my neryeless fingers and
must have answered the interrogation
les Of the priest. for his voice droned
on, meaningless TO the end. II was
only in the silence which followed that
seemed TO regain consciousness. and
a new grip on my numbed faculties.
Indeed l was still cropping in the fog.
bewlldered 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 frst
kiss"
The sneer OF these words was like
a slap in the face, and all the hat
red, and Indignation | felt seethed to
the surface. A heavy paper knife lay
on the desk, and | gripped 1t in my
fingers, and stepped back, facing them.
The mist seemed to roll away, and
saw their faces, and there must have
been that in mine TO startle them. for
even La Barre gave back step, and
the grin faded from the thin lips OF
the commissaire.
"'Tis ended then" I said. and my
voice did not falter Il am this mans
wife. Very well, you have had your
way! now | will have mine. Listen
to what | shall say, Monsieur lie Gou-
vernour, 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 as a finger on
me, | will kill you as l would snake
know what say, and mean It. You
kiss me! Try It, monsieur, II 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, messieurs? You
understands
Casslon 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 persplration. La
Barre crumpled the paper he held
.savagely.
so he exclaimed. eve have un-
chained a tiger cat. Well. all this is
naught TO me; and Francois, / leave
you and the wilderness to do the tam
ing. In faith It's time already you
were of You agree to accompany
the party without resistance. ma
dameW
"As well there, as here" answered
contemptuously
And you, Hugo Chevety"
The giant growled something mar
ticuate through his beard. not alto
gether, I thought to Ia BaTe's liking,
for his face darkened
by ST. Anne! It's happy family
amid which you start your honey.
moon, Monsieur Cassion," he eiacu-
lated at length. "but 90 you must,
though / send a tle of soldiers with
you TO the boats Now leave me, and
would hear no more until word
comes Of your arrival at ST. Louis
We left the room together the three
Of us, and no one spoke, as we tray
ersed the great assembly hall, in which
dancers still fingered, and gained the
outer hall Cassion secured my cloak.
and | wrapped II about my shoulders.
for the night air without was already
chill, and then, yet In unbroken ST.
Ience, we passed down the steps into
the darkness Of the street walked
beside Chevet, who was growing TO
himself, scarce sober enough to clearly
realize what had occurred, and so we
followed the commissalre down the
step path which led to the river.
Vaguely | comprehended that was
no longer Adele "a Chesnayne. but the
wife Of that man | followed. A word.
muttered prayer, an uplifted hand,
had made me his slave. his vassal.
Nothing could break the bond between
us save death. might hate. despse.
revlle, but the bond held. This thought
grew clearer as my mind readjusted
itself and the full horror Of the situa.
tlon took possession Of me. Yet there
was nothing / could do; could neither
escape nor fight, nor had | friend to
whom / could appeal Suddenly
realized that | still grasped in my
hand the heavy paper knife ] had
snatched up from In Barre's desk. and
thrust II into the walstbaud OF my
skirt It was my only weapon Of de.
fense, yet to know had even that
seemed TO bring me a glow OF courage.
We reached the rivers edge and
halted. Below Us, ON the bank. the
blazing fire emitted red gleam re-
tlectng on the water, and showing us
the dark outlines Of waiting canoes,