The spectator., 1920-02-10
By VICTOR ROUSSEAU
 Illustrations Gv
 Irwin Myers


 "There was never any danger. Lafe was with me, and we went and came on the tide.'
 As he spoke he noticed that the crowd at the wharf-head had drawn nearer. He heard man shouting; ; there seemed to be some disturbance which he fancied they were trying to quell. Lafe stepped upon the wharf with the two girls, walking past Hil- ary. Madeleine turned. Her eyes, lighting upon Maries face, and then Nanette's, sought Hilary's in astonishment. But she asked nothing and waited. Her hand, which had rested upon his arm, remained there. But whereas 1t had been living warm part of her, 1t now felt cold and heavy, and lifeleSS.
 Then out of the crowd burst Jean BaptiSte, screaming. He ran toward Hilary. A knife was flashing in his hand. His onset was so swift that it took Hilary and Madeleine completely by surprise. As the little man closed with him Hilary just managed to grasp his arm.
 'Ill kill you!" panted Baptiste and the breath whistled through his throat as if the force of his passion had con- stricted it to a pipes dimension. "It Is she, and you took her from her home last night. I sought for her; was waiting and watchful; did not sleep. I swore you should die" He fought for freedom of the stab ping arm like man possessed of a thousand devils. He worked the hand free, and it went up and down, the long knife flashing and slicing into Hilary's coat. And Madeleine did not utter word.
 She watched the struggle like a woman in dream. Twice Hilary felt the point of the knife as 1t drove through the air and slashed to the end of Baptiste's reach. Then the crowd closed about them. But Baptiste fought like a devil. He hurled the lumbermen aside; three | times he fought out of their grasp and made for Hilary, who, mortified
 
 to escape or strike. Each time he caught the knife hand by a miracle of luck, and all the time he fought Bap- | tiste never ceased shouting
 Let me get at him!" he panted. "I watched them. I waited. l did not sleep He took her last night to the | island. I swore to kill him. Let me go! Let me go!"
 His voice rang high above the shrieks of the frightened girls and the shouts of the men. They had closed | about him now, but for the fourth time he broke through and made for Hilary, the, knife held low now, ready for the ripping upward stroke. Hilary grasped at his arm again and missed l The knife flashed back-and then in an instant Madeleine stood where Bap- tiste had been, and the blood dripped from her sleeve. And still she had not uttered a sound.
 They had got Baptiste down now, still fighting like wild beast. They were holding him, one man to each limb, and his body writhed and curses broke from his lips. And Madeleine stood before Hilary, quiet and calm and silent.
 He sprang toward her. "Madeleine!" He seized her arm and tore the sleeve away. There was gash. long, but not deep, from which the blood was yelling. He felt beside himself with mingled fury and fear. He began to bind 1t with his handkerchief the icily cold arm that had been warm against his shoulder. But Madeleine drew herself away.
 Tt Is nothing" she said, and began to walk toward the head of the wharf Her rig was waiting there, the horse held by boy.
 Hilary walked by her side. speaking he never remembered what 1t was h" said-imploring; Madeleine said noth- ing. Nothing until she reached the carriage step. Drops of blood marked her progress. There she paused and looked at him. He could see her face now in the light of the boys lantern. and 1t was neither scornful nor proud. but very hard-like the Seigneurs. Hilary thought afterward.
 But all his thoughts were on the wound. Madeleine. your arm!" he cried. catching at 1t.
 Tt Is nothing" she said once more. turning to mount the step. Then Hilary knew what he had not let himself know he knew. He caught her hand and pressed 1t to his lips. | "Mareleine!" he cried. "You do not | do not-surely you are not going to | condemn me when r."
 She placed her foot on the step.
 "I told you nothing but your faith lessness could kill my love" she said in whisper. And, in lower whis- per, "Goo6-byr'
 The wheels were moving before Hil. ary could grasp the scene. bring i'