Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1916-09-14

here"
"Pere lie 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. 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. '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."
"'Tis your order, MONSIEUR
"Ay! do not speak my will plainly
enough? Come, the hour is late. and
our kings business is of more import
than the within 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 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 1t was as IL
they appertained to someone else. |
hand on my peryeless 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
n 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
4 cried "a fair wife, and not so I'M
willing after all. And now your first
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 l gripped it 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 a step, and
the grin faded from the thin lips OF
the commissaire.
"Tis ended then" I 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 lie 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 as finger on
me, will kill you as / would snake
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 I am
still mistress Of my soul, and of my
body. You hear me. mcssieurs? 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 awry drops of perspiration. La
Barre crumpled the paper he held
savagely.
80" he exclaimed, 1--WE have un
chained a tiger cat. Well, all this is
naught to me; and Francois, I leave
you and the wilderness to do the tam
ing. In faith, It's time already you
were off. You agree to accompany
the party without resistance. ma
dame?",
''As well there, as here" answered
contemptuously.
"And you, Hugo Chevet?
The giant growled something mar
ticulate through his beard, not alto.
gether. thought, to La Barre's liking
for his face darkened.
by st. Anne! it's a happy family
amid which you start your honey
moon. Monsieur Cassion," he ejacu.
lated at length, but go you must
though l send file 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 trav.
ersed the great assembly hall, in which
dancers still fingered, and gained the
outer hall. Cassion secured my cloak
and | wrapped 1t about my shoulders
for the night air without was already
chill, and then, yet in unbroken 81.
lence, 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 commissaire down the
step path which led to the river.
Vaguely comprehended that was