The Crittenden press., 1920-02-06

she stood forward bravery. Il never
pledged my word to you, Monsieur
Brousseau." she said In low tone.
"YOu know II. You asked me TO be
your wife and ] refused. You took a
good deal for granted. You took me
for granted. You made n mistake.
When you treacherously cOnspired TO
cut Monsieur Askews boom. when you
planned his death. yon lost whatever
chance you had ever had | shall never
marry you"
Brousseau staggered backward. came
up against the table, and stood star
ing at her In incredulity, in fear. In
fury. his own face whittier than hers.
The Seigneur sat down In his chair
heavily, seeming to collapse there.
Then Brousseau flung his fear aside
and laughed, and 1t was the most evil
laugh tnat Hilary had ever heard. He
addressed Rosny; and as he spoke he
continued TO advance toward him. un-
Ill he was shaking his fist in the old
Selgneur's face.
81 understand now" he sneered.
"This fine American has been at work
In this matter II Is he who has been
spreading these lying tories about
me. | don't blame your daughter.
Rosny. A woman Is easily influenced
by new face. Sos man, for that
matter.
Il don't blame her. I expect my
wife to be true to me after we're mar
ricd-nO more and no less. I'll take
care Of the love. | amt hard man.
can make allowances for human na.
ture expect to mold her and to
keep watch over her. Maybe she'd
do the same with me.
"But this is different, Rosny." he
shouted furiously. Hes been telling
her lies about me. He came up here
and started In TO crush me. He wants
TO drive me out Of Ste Marie. I'm not
the man TO allow that, Rosnyl You
know what mean. I'll deal with him
when the times comes. I'll speak to
him ngaln presently. I'm speaking to
you now. Is she going TO marry me or
amt she? You know what it's going
to cost you If she goes back on her
word"
Rosny groped her way TO his feet
The old duellst, who In his younger
days would fight at the drop of the
hat, had been brought pltiably low,
but not so low as BrOusseau thought
His face was aflame. He opened his
mouth, suffered, and pointed toward
the door.
you can go. You can 20, Monsieur
Brousseau," he stammered. "Custom
custom and courtesy forbid-insult
n gupst-go before forget myself"
"I'll 90. then" shouted Brousseau
and moved toward the door, you've
had your chance. Once more, Is she
willing to be reasonable? keep my
word, In friendship or enmlty. VIII
She keep hers? II so I'll forget. I'll
call II whlm. /"
"No, ! shall never be your wife,'
said Madeleine quietly.
Brousseau swung upon Hilary.
"Some day I'll get you, you lying
dog" he swOre, and raised his hand
threateningly.
Madeleine darted between them.
"You coward" she cried. you COW.
ard. TO threaten a wounded man, whom
you do dare not look In the face In
anger when he is WE'LL"
Brousscau shrugged his shoulders
and turned toward the door. The ma
llgnant smile upon his face seemed
frozen there. giving him the aspect Of
a satyr's mask. Hilary came forward
and tried to draw Madeleine aside.
hut she stll confronted Bronssean
with blazing eyes. But II was the
Seigneur's look Of agony and shame
that was the most vivid part Of the
picture.
Rosny stood like a statue beside the
door, watching Brousseau make his
way along the corridor toward the en-
trance. Hilary put his arms about
Madeleine, supporting her. Her cour'
age was gone, and she was weeping
uncontrollably.
The front door slammed and Rosny
turned back into the room. He burst
out In passionate words.
ut Is all gonel" he cried. Every
thlng-home, lands. inheritance. And
Il Is well gone. The Rosny seignlory
is nearly everything to me, but you are
more, Madeleine. Our name means
little enough now. but Il shall never
become allied with that OF the scoun.
drel who has robbed me OF everything
else"
lie raised his clenched first and
shook II In the air with passionately
dramatic gesture, as II to register his
vow. His face was strangely notified
with red and white. and he seemed To
have aged ten years within ten min
utcs.
II Offer you my humblcst regrets for
what has occurred this morning, mon.
sleur" he said to Hilary. "There was
time when | should have eyacted