The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1917-03-08
CHAPTER VII
A WeddIpu At the CAstIs.

WeooInp ~ the Chstle'
Martial de ssirmeuse was flIled with
shame at the insratltude and brutality
OF his father. The appearance OF Marie
Anne Lacheneur had completely cspti-
waited him. He hurried out after Lsche-
ncur and his daughter and, addressing
Marie Anne rather than her father. said
Pray do not take the duke TOO seriously
All this shall be arranged Eyes 90 beau
tiful should never know tears ! Will be
your advocate with my father"
'Matsmoiselle Lhchen-ur has no need
of an advocate said n stern voice. and
Martial turned to confront young man
| ~ HE own age ~ am the Marquis de
saIrmense, said Martial hayshtily And
am Maurice d'Escorval"
Maurice insisted that NJ Iacheneur
should come with his daughter IN the
! house Of his father. the baron. and thither
they walked. the young people talking
| earnestly OF the changed conditions OF
things while LAcheneur remained In
d Escorvnl received their old friend all
the more warmly for his cban6e In for
tune, praised his honesty. and placed
| thcmselves and their means at his dis
possl There had long been thcit ur--
| dorstanding that Maurice and Marie
Anne we're to be married-why not have
| the marriage take place at once Thore
was room enough for all At the baron'e
place, The baroness already regarded
Marie Anne. whose mother had died when
the girl was mere baby. as her own
daughter
Lacheneur. while thanking his old
| friend from the bottom Of his heart. was
proof against even tho pleadings OF Mau-
| rice and the beseechinE looks OF hts
daughter. replying that be had recently
inherited a small house with abit OF land
In the neighbophood and would retire
there for the present Perhaps. some
| time, matters would be different. Maurice
must not despair.
Lacheneur took up nj, abode in the
little oot'ake Of La Reche and appeared
TO keep a sort OF wayside hosteiry there
! Tor people were aeen continually coming
! and going from the place. Nearly all Of
his visitors were peasants, and among
I them Chanlouineau WAS constant caller
Maurice dEscorval was also frequently
t Ia Reche and Martial de ssirmeuse.
when out riding. did not fail TO stop and
mix with lAcheneur. For the three men
namef II was evident that Marie Anne
was tho attraction. and scandal was soon
busy with her name.
In the stately chateau Of sairmeuse the
duke began 10 entertain on scale Of law
ish hospitality the old nobility OF tho sur
rounding country Thither CAME his for
mer companion In exile. the Marquis de
Courtomieu, with his daughter Blanche.
between whom and Martial de Sairmeuse
marriage had long been arranged by
their parents. while not bsautiful.
Blan'h he had a very distinguished look
and bore herself with hsuteur which
became q daughter Of one OF tho oldest
families In France. Madly In love with
Martial and insanely Jealous. Blanche. at
Aendel by her aunt. Medea, a dependent
Ia Rsche and mcditsted vengeance
against the innocent but msligned Marie
Ammo
One day. AZ Martial entered tho cottage
no found Chanlouineau seated at q table
with paper, pen and Ink. What are you
write. a note" replied tho peasant. "but
find 1t hard work Can I heip you 90
Yes. write II for me, viii you'll viii
dictate" go Martial, at Chanlouinesu' u q
dictation, wrote ms follows; My dear
friend. We are at last agreed and ths
preparing for the wedding which viii
take place On We Invite you "a
give US the pleasure Of your company,
We count on you. and tho moro friends
you bring with you the better We shal
he pleased" The date ChAnlouinsau left
blank The note is not for me. but for
an uncle OF mine. whose daughter 10 abou,
TO be married" Had Martial seen the
look on Chanlouineau's face A. he wrote
he wpuld have suspected snare But he
did hot see II. and, besides. he was In
love
One day tacheneur took Maurice aside
ana said You must not cope here any
more y ~ ! come to your h ise. replied
thing have discovered your revsnsefu
projects. You are looking for mon TO aid
you. ere you not Tell me, am not one
OF those a leader should be slad TO enroll
among his followers. Whatever your
cause may he, II Ia mine; your enemies
him. hin my srsS sa' Marie Anne 'ss"f e.".s rssi:
not Our cause. Its success Is doubtful
dangers surround us,"
Rut Maurice would take no denial, and
finally Lechcneur said; II comply with
your request. In less than three days
you will curse me for doing 80. But
not only imponl Yourself. but comprc-
mlse your fatherf' There has been toe
much parleyins." replied Maurice, and
sinking on one knee. he raised Marie
Annes hand TO his lips, ssyins. Hero Il
my cssse.' 80 he II" replied 1acbe-
neur, AFTER certain rumors which have
been circulated, II would he best that you
come hero In secret and only at night
And also promise me that you viii avoid
tho Marquis de Sairmeuse, DO you know
my som" Certainly, have met hiw
when he was home from Parts. where hs
| Hnb uten pursuing nhs H'uuies. wen
he will soon he here again. But bewsrv
OF Jean. may he wrong. but ] mistrus,
him"
Martial de sairmeuse had become con.
vinced that Marie Anne had two Other
suitors besides himself that II, Maurice
and Chanlouineau. Tho Girl always re-
ceivep him when he called In q manner
which delighted him, and he had resolved
20 throw hls rank 10 the winds and ash
her T. b hb wife. But the rumors which
we're flying about and what hs saw of he,
reception Of Maurice and Chanlouineat
excited his doubts and his anger Finally
one night, a. he was paasinS the cottage
late. be eaw Maurice leaving II In Q steal
thy manner The eo1ustte, the iAlss
nrl,' he cried, and riding home In fur,
told TIE duke that he vas ready to celel
brate his hetrothal with Msdsmoisells d.
Courtomieu
In lees than forty-sisht hours the en-.
saGement was made public and the mar,
riage contract was drawn up. II was ap.
nounced that the wedding would tak,
plsce early In the sprins A grand han.
auet was given at the chateau In honol
OF the betrothaL II was all the NOR,