The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1919-08-14
CHAPTER v-continusd.

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] could not but connect him with
our presence there. Leroux was due
to arrive at any moment. ! realized
that great issues we're at stnke. that
the man would never cease In his at.
tempts to get hold Of Jacqueiine. Only
when ] had returned her to her IA.
theirs house would. ! feel safe from
him.
After dinner I had some conversn.
tion with one of the hotel clerks. I
discovered that St Boniface was
little known. the only occupants of
those parts being trnppers and Indians.
"You could hire dogs and q sleigh
at 81. Boniface for wherever your ilne:
destination H." he said, because the
dog mail has been suspended owing 10
the new government mail boats, and
their sIeighs are idle. I think Captain
Dubois would take you on his boat M
far ~ that point. and believe he
makes his next trip In . couple Of
days" ~
He gave me the captains address,
and resolved TO call on him early the
following day and make arrangements.
! took Jacquelins for a stroll on the
terrace. and while we walked / pom
dered over the problem. Jacqueline
was very quiet. and I wondered what
she remembered. 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 I saw two
men standing no great distance away
and watching us. II 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 mt the door Of JacquelIne's,
bidding her good night when belboy
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 II would be the stranger but
II was the priest.
! Invited him TO enter aud he came
in and stood with his fur cap on his
head. looking dIrefully at me.
"Weil. monsieur, what Is the pur-
pose OF this visitf" asked.
ITO tell you." he thundered, "that
you must give up the unhappy woman
who has accompanied you here"
THAT Is precisely what intend TO
do" answered.
ITO me-" he said. "Her husband,
felt my brain whirllng. I knew
now that ] had always cherished
hope, despite the ring what fool !
had beenl
II married them" continued Pere
Antoine.
where Is hef" demanded.
He appeared discoEcerted. gath
cred from his stare that he had sup
posed knew.
"rhIs is Catholic country" he
went on more quietly. 'sThere IL no
divorce; there can be none. Marriage
is sacrament. Shining as she Is"
j placed my hand on his shoulder.
II will not hear any MORE" l said.
"Go!" ] pointed toward the door.
Il am going TO take her away with
me-" he said. and crossing the thresh-
old into the corridor placed one hand
on the door OF Jasquellnes room.
got there first. thrust him vio-
lently aside--It was like pushing a
monument-turned the key, which
happily was still outside. and put II In
my pocket.
II am ready t0 deal with her hus-
band" ] said. II am not ready to
deal with you. Leave ut once or l
will have you arrested. priest or no
priest. How do know she has q hus-
band? How do know you are not In
league with her prosecutors? How do
] know you are priest at allf"
He seemed amazed at the violence
sf my manner.
~This II the first time my priesthood
has been Denied" he said quietly.
swell, have offered you your chance.
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