The Crittenden press., 1920-02-06


surely can never Justify himself In
bearing lll.w.l to those who purchase
from him"
at II not that. Hilary. II Is be-
cnuse-wcll first, because you are an
American. He does not love the Eng
llsh, but he hates Americans. He
thinks that they betrayed Canada In
1888. And because the people are sat
lsncd under English rule, aud loyal,
he resents II and h-oOds over H."
"But that II all ancient history"
said Hilary. laughing at the nbsurdty
OF the idea. A. key to conduct. the
Selgneur's antiquarian motives ap-
pearcd impossible.
She smiled. ale Is very good and
very just" she said tenderly. but he
has let his dreams take hold Of him
too much. And they are bound up
with his craze for the land. He wants
the seignlory 10 remain undivided for
ever. he wants the feudal tenure
back. with the scrfs OF his boyhood
days: he loves his land far better than
/ he loves me-at least, believe he
looks on me MS an accessory Of H."
She hesitatcd. Hillary" she con-
tinued presently, that Is how II was
arranged that ! was to marry-him. "
Hilary noticed her unwlllngness 10
pronounce Brousseau's name. ut was
because he has n hold on the seign-
Tory. and II my father lost II the
shock would kill him.
"Whcn-he-was boy. working
for my father here. he had ambitious
Z drenms, like so many young Cana
/ dinns. My father became interested
In him. gave him nm education, and
helped him. lie repaid II by schem.
ing TO get hold OF the Rosny inherit.
nnce. He set 10 work. won my ia
Tiers confidence. and got him TO put
his money In worthless companies.
I Then he became his creditor. | knew
nothing OF all this. because | was n,
school In Paris. But when came
home, after my mothers death, my
father was In his power.
''lle tried to free himself by selling
your uncle thS timber rights. lie
could only brIng himself 10 do this be-
cause he knew that some day the trees
would be- cut down, and the mill would
so. and we should have our ancient
solitude again. But he needed more
money to help relative In Quebec
who had lost h.s fortune through TAX.
Ing his advice o. invest In one Of the
companies. My father felt obligated
TO him. So-hc--got the mortgage. and
II expires In December, and-that's all
Hilary, dear, except 10 say that. al.
though II was expected was to marry
him. never In my henrt expected to
And wouldn't let him-kiss me. Only
my cheek-once or twice. II used to
make him 80 nugry. He hates you NJ
much. Hilary. apd once he was Jealous
he seemed TO livine-and he accused
me OF caring fo- you. That was what
mnde me angry with you. tried to
| hate you more, and all the time l.
used TO think a>out you, dear-l was
ashnmed-l am still ashamed"
IL think we must both have known
thnt We were meant 10 love ench other,
as soon ms we met" Hilary said.
II think | did know" S's answered
softly.
"Docs he know your dcclsIonT
asked Hilary.
She nodded. Il told him when he
gave me To understand his wicked de
sign against you hat could never he
anything TO him. : had not guugcd him
hcforc-or, rathcv. had been hypno-
,ized by my sense Of duty toward my
father. Hut. Hilary. remember this
her cheeks glowca and she looked very
earnestly ut him--"lf your love Is as
true ns mine, AMI as Cnswcrvlng ms
mine you cnn remain happy In the
knowledge that We love each other
And ~ long us your love Is unswerv'
Ing you can know that ! love you
Nothing can alter my love except the
know ledge that yours Il not true. And
although the waiting may be long
shall never become his wife to save
my fathers lands pcver. Hilary"
She was crying Ioftly, her cheek
against his shoulder Hilary took her
In his nrms. "Denr mn going 10 tell
your father" he said.
She started out o. his arms. "llll
ary You must not. II would kill hln
10 know"
"But he must know, Madeleine
Don't you see. nothing Is TO be gained
by delay. II Is right that he should
know"
"He will be your enemy, Hilary. II,
will fight you to the bitter end"
"nut shall not be his. What harm
can he do met"
"Listen. first" she said. MS they he
gan walking slowly hack townrd the
Chateau. "Thc other day, Ms soon n,
your recovery was assured, fntheI
went down to the mill and talked with
your hands. lie gave them terribl,
scoldlns. lie told them that they owed
- much duty toward their employer