The Elbert County tribune., 1916-04-28
CHAPTER vI-continued.

~But they shall not" repeated.
frowning. Charles. you know am
mascot All my friends have told me
that. Did not bring luck to you as
passenger In the machine? And didn't
/ get Bstelle Christie inside the abbey
TO see the coronation7 / say that Gil
chy shall never fall into Magnih's
hands. Why, has 1t withstood seven
seiges by the English and two by Bur-
gundy, not to speak of countless gal
liant defenses in olden times against
Frenchmen themselves: in the wars
OF the Fronde. against the Huguenots,
against Henry of Navarro and Richie
lieu. even that 1t should succumb now
to n paltry mortgage?
Bravo" said Charles, clapping his
hands. "Your eyes fash fire, dear
Anne. II they were mortars and used
in our defense. warrant Clichy should
never go under"
Mock me as you please an
swered. little petulantly, "Clichy
,hall be saved. or will never be called
mascot again"
Thursday came. the last day accord
ed us. and the interest was as far of
as ever. 1t was sad gathering that
morning at the breakfast table. Every
thing was packed. and we were to re-
move to the little cottage at Rambouil-
let owned by the comte's daughter.
where they hoped to find precarious
existence for while on a few thou
sand francs that remained of her
dowry.
'Tt will last us a year, Anne" said
al
I am not likely to see the next. And
Charles can take care of his mother
somehow"
could not restrain a sob. But my
money from Magniff!" l cried. You
must take IT, can earn my own living
In future. as in the past. On that you
can live decently. at least
The comte smiled sadly.
Wen talk of that when the time
cvmes. Anne" he answered. "At least
we are not yet dispossessed."
Nor shall be-" l replied defiantly.
"poes not the law give three days
grace to us?"
Three days or thirty" answered
the chevalier. "it is all one to us now"
And while we still sat talking over
our plans. we saw smartly fitted dog
cart turn up the drive and there de-
scended-Leopold Magniff. Jr.!
/ confess that / was thoroughly un-
uerved at tho sight of this man. | had
never believed that he would dare to
cross my path again. The memory of
my threats which he had made on the
occasion of our last interview recurred
to me and afflicted me with present
ment OF overwhelming horror.
He came in jauntily. bowling to all
OF us, an affectation of regretful hui
mility hardly conceeling an air of OBJ
vious triumph. The comte and the
chevalier arose grimly and stood con-
fronting him. like two statues of
stone
Monsieur" said our visitors. address
Ing each alternately. and becoming dis
concerted as neither appeared to rec
ognize his remarks. but merely stood
to receive him-"monsieur, 1t is with
deep regret that come to receive the
interest upon my fathers mortgage or.
in default. to take possession of the
chateau"
Then at last the comte spoke. and
each word seemed wrenched from the
fbers of his heart.
I'VE cannot meet the interest. The
chateau is at your disposal"
stop" l cried. "The law allows
three days of grace. l believe"
Magnin turned toward me and
bowed sneeringly.
quite so, mademoiselle." he an
swered. But 1t permits me to take
possession Immediately pending this
seriod."
The old comte touched bell and