Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-02-26

Il heard the horses hoofs when you
hurried past. Trouble, trouble they
seemed to say. guessed It might be
you, M'ser Aldrich. You have found
it out for yourself, then?"
Il have found out that vetal Beau.
lieu has been here tonight and taken
away his daughter" blurted the young
man. rs that what you mean.
notary?"
II do not mean that-I did not know
of 1t. But this Is what I know. I am
a notary. 1 have business with the
town clerk at Attegat at times. 1
am entitled to inspect his records. In
tentions of marriage between David
Roi and Evangeline Beaulieu have
been entered on those books. Yes, and
the license has been issued. saw
the names there today"
Aldrich reeled on his horse. The
notary peered up at the face that was
ghastly white In the starlight-lined
here and there by the blood from the
wounds the lashing twigs had dealt.
1T seemed to me like mischief" fal-
tered the old man. II know Dave Roi.
| He is not a fit husband for a girl
But did not think Vetal Beaulieu
would do what you have said"
"All of us are FOOLS" declared Aid.
rich, hotly. 1--WE have let an inno-
cent girl be dragged out of this vii.
lage. She is in the clutches Of the
worst renegade on this border. Good
! God above us, Where have they
taken her? What is happening to
her?"
He spurred his horse in his frenzy,
holding the reins tight, and the animal
spun around in circle on scuffling
feet. To right and left and all about
Aldrich directed agonized glances as
though he were trying to decide which
direction to take. His thoughts were
piercing him like knife-thrusts. His
imagination painted hideous picture.
His were the tortures of a man bound
hand and foot and doomed to witness
the ravishment of a maid.
"They can't make her marry him.
She hates the wretch. Such things
cannot be done" he choked.
"when men are determined and des.
perate-and a father is present and
consents, great deal can be DONE"
stated the notary, sadly. Il see the
hand OF Louis Blais in this. He has
the right to perform marriages. Yes,
a great deal can be done when men
are desperate and dishonest"
He was talking to a madman.
Aldrich leaped off his horse and
went down on his knees in the dust
of the square. He put his face close
to the ground. He stared with filming
eyes at the criss-crossing of wagon
tracks. He realized that such efforts
to gain clues were worse and useless
But he was not in a state of mind to
use reason. Oh, to find some sign
which would show him which way
they had taken her! To see one ru,
fresher than the rest which would
afford hint!
How did they come? How did they
go?" he gasped. Did you not hear
them, notary? Was there not a or,
for help? You heard me! Why didn't
you hear them? You must have heard
a horse-a wagon-something!"
mo, l heard nothing. Wagon.
come and go here in the night. dc
not notice them. But your horse gal
loped-you hurried-and / knew tn,
names had been entered on the clerk.
books, and 1 had been worrying"
Aldrich struggled to his feet. H,
brandished his arm above his head
His lips were rolled away from hi.
teeth.
"Oh, IL 1 were only a hound In
stead of a man just now! / woul(
follow on my hands and knees. an
good for nothing. 1 have let then
steal her." he raved.
Notary Gendreau folded his arms Il
the cloak which he had thrown owe
his night-gear and wagged his hea
sympathetically. But, having no sug
gestions to offer, he kept silent.
There were four roads out of Attt
gat besides the main road to the south
mo, they would not have gon
|. toward Monarda," the officer burst ou
= answering certain mental calculation
which the notary himself was revol,
\ ing. "Roi is q coward. He would nc
{ take the road on this side of the rive
s He has gone back toward the bordel
Oh, God in the heavens, tell me whic
road he took!"