Connecticut western news. [volume] (Salisbury, Litchfield Co., Conn.) 1871-1970, 1919-07-31
parishioners."

and left the shop.
had not gone three PAGES from the
door, however, when the priest, COM
ing up behind me, placed a huge hand
upon my shoulder and swung me
round without the least apparent eff
fort.
II do not know what your business
is, monsieur" he said, "but If 1t were
an honest one you would state 1t to
me. If you wish to see M. Duchaine
am best qualified to assist you to do
so, since I visit his chateau twice each
year to carry the consultations Of re-
ligion to him and his people. But If
your business is not honest it will fail.
End it, then, and return to your own
country"
81 do not intend to discuss my bust
ness with you, monsieur" I answered
angrily.
He let me go and stood cycling me
with his keen gaze. I jumped on a
passing car. but, looking back, l saw
him striding along behind it. He
seemed to walk as quickly as the car
went through the crowded street, and
with no effort.
found JacGueline in her room, look
ing over her purchases, and took her
down to dinner.
And here I had another disconcert-
ing experience. for hardly were we
seated when the inquisitive stranger
whom l had seen at the ferry came
into the dining room, and after care
full survey which ended as his eyes fell
on us, he took his seat at an ada
cent table.
I could not but connect him with
our presence there. Leroux was due
to arrive at any moment. 1 realized
that great issues were at stake, that
the man would never cease in his at
tempts to get hold of Jacqueline. Only
when l had returned her to her ia
theirs house would I feel safe from
him.
After dinner l had some CONVERSE
ton with one of the hotel clerks. I
discovered that St. Boniface was
little known, the only occupants Of
those parts being trappers and Indians.
"You could hire dogs and a sleigh
at st. Boniface for wherever your final
destination u.s." he said, because the
dog mail has been suspended owing to
the new government mail boats, and
their sleighs are idle. l think Captain
Dubois would take you on his boat as
far as that point, and l believe he
makes his next trip in a couple of
days."
He gave me the captains address,
and / resolved to call on him early the
following day and sEaxe arrangements.
took Jacqueline for stroll on the
terrace, and while we walked l pom
dered over the problem. Jacqueline
was very quiet, and | wondered what
she remembered. I dreaded always
awakening her memory, lest, with that
Of her home, came that other of the
dead man..
Our rooms were on the side of the
Chateau facing the town, and as we
passed beneath the arch l saw two
men standing no great distance away
and watching us. it seemed to me.
One wore the cassock of a priest,
and could have sworn that he was
Pere Antoine; the other resembled the
suspicious stranger. AS we drew near
they moved behind a pillar. Thus, in
exorably, the chase drew near.
My suspicious received confirmation
few minutes later, for we had hardly
reached our rooms, and was, in fact,
standing at the door of Jacqueline's,
bidding her good night when bellboy
came along the passage and announced
that the gentleman whom I was ex-
pecting was coming up the stairs.
said good night to Jacqueline and
went into my room and waited. had
thought 1t would be the stranger but
it was the priest.
invited him to enter and he came
in and stood with his fur cap on his
head, looking direfully at me.
swell, monsieur, what is the pur-
pose Of this visit?" asked.
"To tell you," he Numbered, that
you must give up the unhappy woman
who has accompanied you here"
"That Is precisely what I intend to
do" I answered.
I felt my brain whirling. I knew
now that I had always cherished a
hope, despite the ring-what fool l
| had been!
II married them," continued Pere
Antoine.
where is he?" I demanded.
He appeared disconnected. / gath
cred from his stare that he had sup
posed knew.
"This is a Catholic country" he
went on more quietly. "There is no
divorce; there can be none. Marriage
Is sacrament. Shining as she is"
I placed my hand on his shoulder.
81 will not hear any more" I said.
"Go!" I pointed toward the door.
II am going to take her away with
me-" he said, and crossing the thresh-
old into the corridor placed one hand