The Crittenden press., 1920-02-20
..,l..lz Observation-Disclosures :ala


"Ah, monsieur, do not speak of 1t.
Perhaps he is dead. Perhaps they are
all dead from grief"
Would you like to 90 home, Nan
ette?"
"Yes, monsieur, will 90 now. for |
have nothing more to live for. shall
90 and beg on my knees"
Il shall send you home. then. Nan
ctte. But now ask forgiveness from
Marie here, and then thank God that
He has saved her tonight in spite Of
all the evil that was against her
Nanelte crouched toward Marie On
pont, whose arms stole round her neck.
and the two girls cried and whispered
together. Hilary turned away lie
thought Of Madeleine. and brenthed
prayer that their lives might run to-
gether. and that they might strive to-
gcther for the right all their days.
He turned back into the boat. Now.
Marie no word Of this nights doings
shall ever pass my lips" he said. But.
Marie, your life Is unhappy. There Is
good man In St BonlfDce who cares
for you. Do you think that you could
learn 10 care for him."
"Ah, pauvre jean" wcpt the girl.
81 have been ungrateful 10 him. mon
sieur. And now ! am not worthy that
he should have anything to do with
me"
"lle shall know nothing unless you
tell him. said Hilary. "As TO that. ]
cannot advise. But you need have no
fears as To me-"
The black shndow Of the wharf he
gan TO project out Of the shore line,
with Bnptlste's schooner moored along
side. Lights Of lanterns were moving.
and as the sloop drew near Hilary per
celved little group Of people near
the wharf-hcad Louis Duval let down
the sails and guided the vessels prov
toward the mOoring ring. Hilary
stepped out. but before he could turn
to give his hand to Marie II woman
stepped forward.
II was Madeleine. She ran to him
with little cry Of gladness. She
raised her lips to his.
Dear. / have been waiting since
dark" she said, pressing his arm. 81
only got your letter this afternoon
telling me that you had gone to the
island, and | was frightened, Hilary
He patted her arm. ~ am quite
safe. dear" he answered. smiling
There was never any danger. Laf,
was with me. and we went and cam,
on the tide
As he spoke he noticed that th'
crowd ut the wharf.head had draw
nearer. He heard man shouting
there seemed to be some disturbance
which he fancied they were trying Il
quell. Lafe stepped upon the whar
with the two girls, walking past I'LL
ary. Madeleine turned.
Her eyes, lighting upon Marie's flce
astOnlshment. But she asked nothing
and waited. Her hand. which ha'
rested upon his arm. remained there
But whereas II had been livine
warm part Of her, II now felt cold an
heavy. and llfeless.
Then out OF the crowd burst Jea'
Bnptista, screaming. lie ran towar
IIllnry. A knife was flashing In hi
hand. His onset was so swift that
took Hilary and Madeleine completed
by surprise, As the little man close
with him Hilary just managed Il
grasp his arm.
"rll Kill YOU" painted Baptiste, an
the breath whistled through his throa
rs II the force Of his passion had COZ
strlctcd II t. pipes dimension. II
is she. and YOU took her from he
home last night sought for her;
was Whiting and watchful; did nc
sleep. swore you should die"
lie fought for freedom Of the stnl
hing arm like man possessed Of
thousand devils. lie worked the han
free. and II went up and down, tn
long knife flashing and slicng Int
lIilnry's coat. And Madeleine did nC
utter word
She watched the struggle like
woman In dream. Twice Hilary !e
the point Of the knife rs 1t droy
through the air and slashed to the en-
of Bnptistes reach. Then the crow
closed about them.
But Baptste fought like devil. II
hurled the lumbermen aside; thre
times he fought out of their gras
aud made for Hilary. who. horriiie