The Aberdeen weekly. [volume] (Aberdeen, Miss.) 1878-1933, 1920-03-26

surely can never Justify himself In
bearing ill-w:H to those who purchase
| from him"
TT is not that, Hilary. 1t is be-
cause-well, first, because you are ar
American. He does not love the Eng
fish. but he hates Americans. He
thinks that they betrayed Canada In
1888. And because the people are sat
isfied under English rule, and loyal
he resents it 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 ap
peared impossible.
She smiled. HE is very good and
very just" she said tenderfy, 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 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. Hilary" she con-
tinued presently. that is how it was
Hilary noticed her unwillingness to
pronounce Brousseau's name. at was
because he has hold on the seign-
Tory. 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 1t 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 money In worthless companies.
Then he became his creditor l knew
nothing of all this, because 1 was at
school In Paris. But when I 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 be cut down. and the mill would
solitude again But he needed more
money to help a relative in Quebec
who had lost his fortune through TAX
Ing his advice b invest in one Of the
companies. My father felt obligated
to him. So-he-gOt the mortgage and
it expires in December. and-that's all,
Hilary. dear. except to say that. al
though 1t was expected / was to marry
him, never in my heart expected to-
And I wouldn't let him-kiss me. Only
my cheek-once or twice. 1t used to
make him so angry. He hates you so
much, Hilary. aad once he was jealous
tie seemed to iivine-and he accused
me of caring fo; you. That was what
made me angry with you. / tried to
hate you more, and ell the time L
used TO think a bout you. dear-I was
ashamed-I am still ashamed"
IL think we must both have known
that we were meant to love each other,
as soon as we met" Hilary said.
II think did know" s'-s answered
softly.
Does he know your decision ?"
asked Hilary.
She nodded Il told him when he
gave me TO understand his wicked de-
sign against you hat l could never be
anything TO him. had not gagged him
before-or. rathey, 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-''if your love Is as
true as mine, AMI as answering as
mine. you can remain happy In the
knowledge that We love each other.
And as long as year love is unswerv-
ing you can knoU that l love you.
Nothing can alter my love except the
knowledge that yours Is not true. And
although the waiting may be long
shall never become his wife to save
my fathers lands never. Hilary"
She was crying softly. her cheek
against his shoulder Hilary took her
in his arms. Dear, 1 am going to tell
your father" he said.
She started out Of his arms. "Hil-
airy. You must not 1t would kill him
to know"
But he must know. Madeleine.
Don't you see. nothing Is to be gained
by delay. 1t is right that he should
know"
He will be your enemy. Hilary. He
win fight you to the bitter end"
"But shall not be his. What harm
can he do meY
Listen. frst.~ she said. as they be-
gan walking slowly hack toward the
Chateau The other day. as soon az
youR recovery waD assured. father
went down TO the min and talked with
your hands. He gave them . terrible
Seeding. he to1d them that they owed
- uDeh duty toward tholr employer