Jackson County journal., 1919-09-19

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IN. Leroux, why will you not be-
lieve that l remember nothing?" an
swered Jacuueline "After my father
had turned M. Louis d'Epernay out of
his home, whittier he had come to beg
money to pay his gambling debts, you
brought him back. You made my ia
ther take him back in. He wanted to
marry me. But refused, because I
had no love for him. But you insisted
I should marry him, because he had
gained you the entrance to the seign-
iory and helped you to acquire your
power over my father
"Go on growled Leroux, biting his
lips. "Perhaps I shall learn some
thing"
"Nothing that you do not already
know, monsieur" she flashed out with
spirit 'My father came here, long
ago, a political fugitive, in danger of
death. You knew this, and you played
upon his fears. You drained him Of
his last penny, and then offered him
ten thousand dollars to gamble with
in Quebec, telling him of the delights
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nifty" the girl went on remorselessly.
"And for this he was to assign his
property to Louis, thinking, of course,
that he could soon make his fortune
at the tables. And Louis was to marry
me, and in turn sell the seigniory to
you. And so I married Louis under
threat of death to my father.
"Oh, yes, monsieur, the plan was
simple and we'll devised. And knew
nothing of it. But Louis d'Epernay
blurted it all out to me upon ou1
wedding night. I think the shame OF
knowing that I had been sold to him
unhinged my mind, for ran out into
the SHOWS.
Now you know all, monsieur, for
remetuber nothing more until I found
myself travelling back with M. Hew
; lett In the sleigh. You say was in
New York. We'll, I do not remem-
Der it.
"And as for Louis d'Epernay, know
nothing of him-but I will die before
he claims me as his wife!''
> And then I had the measure Of Le-
), roux He laughed and he beat down
her scorn with scorn.
''You have underestimated your
J. price, madame" he sneered. "Since
you have learned SO much I will tell
n you more. You have cost me twenty
thousand dollars, and not ten; for be
\ sides the ten thousand paid to youl
h father Louis got ten thousand also
upon the signing Of the marriage con
J. tract. So swallow that, and be prout
of being priced so high! And tn
seigniory is already his, and I, an
n waiting for him to return and sell M
j. the ground rights for twenty-five thou
% sand more, and If I know Loui
ID dEpernay he will not wait very lon
ID to get his fingers round 1t.
'Listen to me, Simon Leroux," sal
lg Jacqueline, standing up before him, a
D. indomitable in spirit as he. Cali you
plots and schemes mean nothing
re me. My only aim is to take my fathe
re away from here, from you and n
o. d'Epernay, and let you wrangle owe
no your spoil. There are more than fou1
en- legged wolves, M. Leroux; there al
ge human ones, and, like the other
to when food is scarce they prey upo
each other"
le, "Pardieu, I like your spiritl" e:
n claimed Simon, staring at her wit
or frank admiration.
And Jacqueline's head dropped the
Unwittingly Simon had pierced b.
or defenses
ith But he never knew, for before
OIL had time to know the graybeard ro
ad upon his feet and rubbed his tn
Il" hands together, chuckling.
l Never mind your money, Simon
in he said. I'm going to be richer tn,
esh any of you. DO you know what I d
en- with that ten thousand? I gave it
ND my little daughter, and she has 60
to New York to make our fortunes
ago Mr.. Daly's gaming house. No, the
uld she is" he suddenly exclaimed. IS
TO has come back!"
70 Leroux wheeled round and look
from one to the other.
ug- "Diable! So that was the purpo
of your visit to New York;" he ask
sue the girl. "So-you have not quite f
cali gotten that, madame! Where is t
money!"
pe Jacqueline's lips quivered. I s;
lai' her glance involuntarily toward
ine. door behind which was standing.
'ul And suddenly the last phase of I
nee nrohlem became clear to mo Jacn,
De line thought l had robbed her.
ger. stepped from behind the door q
faced Leroux. II have that none
red, I said curtly.
had I saw his face turn white He st
gered back, and then, with bulls /
tch- low, rushed at me, his heavy
Mt / alOft.
and But he stopped short when he S
,end my automatic pistol pointing at