The Crittenden press., 1920-02-06

as toward him. II was not because he
loved you. Hilary. but because Of his
sense Of duty. He thinks II Is my duty
to sacrifice myself for the seignlOry.
There will b. no more trouble with
your wOrkmel. now that they know
you are our friend. But, Hilary. !
can't bear to nnye the old, bad feeling
back again. Give me up. dearW
He laughed and put his arm about
her. 81 can't believe he will hate me
forevermore, just because want to
take y0u away from him. No. dear, !
shall tell him. but not today perhaps.
You see with less than three months
before us, we can't drift any longer"
She sighed. 81 suppose you are
right. Hilary" she said. "But them
what Will happen TO us|
is the interest very muchT
at Is not the interest, Hilary. II Is
the principal. Hilary. 1t Is u hundred
and fifty thousand dollars"
Hilary looked glum. There was no
chance OF raising that amount any
where. And II was his turn to de-
spair.
Are you sure" he asked, "that the
sacrifice Is worth your whilel | feel
like thief, to rob your father and
you. unless you are sure"
And II was her turn to be hopeful.
II am sure that ! love you, dear" she
answered and that the sacrifice my
father expects of me Is an unjust
one"
So they resolved to speak no more
about II, to tell Rosny as soon as an
opportunity occurred, and to wait,
though the waiting for something 10
cyentunte which would resolve the diff
iculty seemed useless. Only Il miracle
could save the seigniory from Brous-
senu's grnsplng hands.
There was one thing that had puz-
zled Hilary for long time, and now
1t stayed In his thoughts and would
not leave him. Why was Brousseau
willing to spend unlimited money TO
oust him from his timber rights? Why
did he not balk at murder?
lie broached this subject with Mn
delelne, who looked at him In wonder.
II never thought OF 1t In that way,
she answered slowly. 81 thought II
was just-Just because he sensed that
we were going TO care for each other,
and so wanted you away"
at may he So" mused Hilary. "Bu'
somehow fancy there must be a
deeper reason"
As he concluded Madeleine stopped
suddenly and clutched his arm In agi'
tation. They had reached the side OF
the Chateau. From where they stood
the front OF the building was visible,
A buggy was at the door. and Hilary
recognized the horse as Broussenu's
lie was standing In the livingroom
when they went In. facing the Seign
eur across the table. His rnge. which
he made little effort to hide, was pat
ent. II was pitifully clear that he was
the dominating force there, and that
| Rosny had been endeavorlng TO pla.
cate him without avail.
Come In, Madeleine" said the seign-
neur, turning to her. You will TX.
cuse us, am sure, Monsieur Askew.
he added 10 Hilary.
"Nol" shouted Broussenu. ut will
he just as well that your friend the
American shall understand the situa.
tion. am plain man, and ! speal;
without conccalment TO any one who
| cares to listen. So you have been I'm
| plicnting me In your troubles with
your men, ch. Monsieur Askewf Be-
cause one of the workmen whom you
have assaulted nt various times draws
knife on you and cuts you slightly
while half unconscious from your
blows. you nllege plot on my part
to murder your"
Without answering him, Hilary
turned to the Seigneur. III Monsieur
Brousseau's business is with rue, no
doubt you and Mademo!selle Rosny
will excuse u.s." he said.
at amt with YOU" retorted Brous'
seau, scowlng. II was just telling you
my opinion OF you, the same as I'D
tell any man. no matter who he was
It's with you. Rosny," he continued
addressing the Selgneur again. "And
1t mint private. privater Dinble, It's
too public It's made me the laughing
stock Of st. Bonifnce, and Ste, Marie
too. Every ones seen Mademoiselle
Rosny riding and driving with me
Now she says she won't have amy
more 20 do with me. Whyf Have
chunged2 Amt | the man | always
was? When make II bargain ! stick
10 H."
"Monscur Broussenu," protested the
Seigncur. eve ROsnys do Lot break our
pledges. Whatever my daughter has
/ contracted to do will be done. But this
Is hardly the occasion. or the man
ncr-"
81 know II amt" said Brousscau
suhsldlng; and Hilary felt Mndelclnc'S
hand. which had grIppcd his arm tight
~ to restrain him, relax It's tension
Maybe forgot myself. | don't want
To be anything hut gentleman In tn,
presence Of ludles, but It's hard,
Monsieur Rosny, when cverythlng's as
good ms settled, 10 have II put bacl;
In the mclting.pot. Meaning you, Mon
slcur Askcww he continued, snecrlnr
into llllnry's face. "Thnts where you
come into this business. When peopl,
In ~. Bonlfnce began To talk about
Nlndcmoisclle here having thrown me
over for hlm"-he was addressing the
Sclgneur ngnln-"lt's more than flesh
and blood can stand"
The Sciencur looked pltlfully dls
trcsscd. His face. flushed with resent
mont nj Rrousspnu's lnsolcnrc wns