The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1917-02-01

then stood erect, facing me, the light
from the window on his face.
AT your command, mademoiselle,"
he said quietly. The mother tells me
Hugo Chevet-he is a brute. l know
Is his abuse beyond e~nduranceY"
mo. no." | FASTENED to explain. 'In
his way he is not unkind. The truth
Is he has lived so long in the woods
alone, he scarcely speaks. He-he
would marry me to Monsieur Cassion."
Never will | forget the look of sheer
delight on his face as these words
burst rom me. His hand struck the
bench, and he tossed back the long
hair from his forehead, his eyes merry
with enjoyment.
"Ah. good, BY all the saints, it's
even as l hoped. Then have no fear
Of my sympathy, mademoiselle. Moth
ing could please me like a clash with
that perfumed gallant. He doth per
secute you with his wooing?"
HE has not spoken, save TO Chevet;
yet it is seemingly all arranged with
out my being approached"
mo doubt they are hand in glove
in the fur trade, and the commissaire
has La Barre's ear just now. He rode
by yonder in the carriage a moment
since, and you might think from his
bows he was the governor. And this
marriage? when does it take placer"
"On monsieur's safe return from the
great West"
The smile came back to his face.
mot so bad that, for it's a long
Journey, and might be delayed. 1
travel with him, you know, and we
depart at daybreak. What else did
this Chevet have to say?"
"Only a threat that If eve you came
near me again his fingers would feel
your throat. monsieur. He spoke Of
hate between himself and your father"
The eyes upon mine lost their toler-
ant smile, and grew darker, and
marked the fingers Of his hand clinch.
THAT was like enough, for my
father was little averse to a quarrel,
although he seldom made boast of il
afterwards. And so this Hugo Chevet
threatened me! I am not Of the blood
mademOiselle, to take such things
lightly. Yet wait-why came you to
me with such a tale? Have you nc
friends?"
"None, monsieur" answered grave
ly, and regretfully, "other than the
nuns to whom I went to school, and
they are useless In such a case"
He walked across the room. once
twice. his head bent in thought, and
I watched him, half frightened les
I had angered him.
"Have l done very wrong, mon
sieur?"
He stopped. his Eyes on my face
He must have perceived my perplex
ity, for he smiled again, and pressed
my hand gently.
IF 30 the angels must judge" h
answered stoutly. "As for me, I an
very glad you do me this honor.
but seek the best plan of service
mademoiselle, for l stand between 70,
and this sacrifice with much pleasure
You shall not marry Cassion while
wear q sword"
"But not violence, monsieur"
planning and scheming Is not m.
way, nor am I good at it. A soldie
of La Sale needs more to understand
action, and the D'Artigny breed ha
ever had faith in steel. I seek no quar-
rel, yet II occasion arise this messen
ger Of La Barre will ind me quit
ready. I know not what may occur
Mademoiselle: I merely pledge you m,
word Of honor that Cassion will n,
longer seek your hand. The metho'
you must trust to me-"
Our eyes met, and his were kind an
smiling, with a confidence In thei
depths that strangely heartened me. Be
fore I realized the action I had give
him my hand.
II do. monsieur. and question q