Elbert County tribune and Elbert County banner., 1920-05-28

Hilary feared no longer. Everything
was changed to JOY that seemed to
blaze about him. lighting up the day.
For long time that morning they
forgot everything except their happi-
ness. II was not for an hour. per-
haps. not until Hilary began to speak
of his hopes for the future that she
remembered what she had to say.
81 should have told you." she said.
''The waiting must be so long. My
father would never consent-never.
Hilary"
"What has your father against me"
he asked. except my cutting down his
trees2 And as for that. man who
sells his property. or rights over 1t.
surely can never Justify himself In
bearing lll-will to those who purchase
from him
at is not that, Hilary. 1t is be-
cause-well. first, because you are an
American. He does not love the Eng
lish. but he hates Americans. He
thinks that they betrayed Canada in
17S3. And because the people are sat
isfied under English rule. and loyal.
fe resents 1t and broods over IT.
But that is all ancient history"
said Hilary. laughing at the absurdity
of the idea, AS key to conduct. the
Seigneur's antiquarian motives np-
peared impossible.
She smiled. "He Is very good and
| very just" she said tenderly. but he
has let his dreams take hold OF him
f,a nd
with his craze for the land He wants
the seigniory to remain undivided for
ever, he wants the feudal tenure
back, with the serfs of his boyhood
days: he loves his land far better than
he loves meat least. | believe he
looks on me as an accessory OF It,"
She hesitated. Hillary" she con-
tinued presently. "that is how 1t was
arranged that was to marry-him" !"
Hilary noticed her unwillingness to
pronounce Brousseau's name. TT was
because he has hold on the seign-
iory. and If my father lost 1t the
shock would kill him.
"When-he-was boy, working
for my father here, he had ambitious
dreams like so many young Cana
dians. My father became interested
in him. gave him an education, and
helped him. He repaid it by schem-
ing to get hold of the Rosny inherit
ance. He set to work. won my IA
theirs confidence. and got him to put
his monty in worthless companies
| Then he became his creditor. l knew
nothing of all this, because | was at
school in Paris. But when ! came
home, after my mothers death. my
father was in his power
He tried to free himself by selling
your uncle the timber rights. He
could only bring himself to do this be
cause he knew that some day the trees
| would he cut down. and the mill would
| go. and we should have our ancient
solitude again. But he needed more
money TO help relative in Quebec
who had lost his fortune through tax
ing his advice to invest in one of the
| companies. My father felt obligated
to him. So-he-got the mortgage. and
| 1t expires In December. and-thnt's all
Hilary, dear, except to say that. al
though 1t was expected was to marry
| uiiii never III lily uedEt tAptCttu "
And l wouldn't let him-kiss me. Only
my cheek-once or twice. 1t used tC
make him so angry. He hates you Sc
much. Hilary. and once he was Jealous
he seemed to divine-and he accused
me of caring for you. That was whai
made me angry with you. tried tc
hate you more. and all the time L
used to think about you. dear-I was
ashamed-I am still ashamed"
| II think we must both have known
that we were meant to love each other
| as soon us we met" Hilary said.
81 think 1 did know" s'-s answered
softly.
"Does he know your decision p
asked Hilary.
She nodded. II told him when he
gave me to understand his wicked de
sign against you that l could never be
anything to him. had not gauged him
before-or. rather, l had been hypno-
tized by my sense of duty toward my
father. But. Hilary. remember this
her cheeks glowed and she looked very
earnestly at him-'n your love Il as