Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1920-02-17

NClJ JUST SHG Sdlu v, DuI uC
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 ne
looks on me as an accessory of it,"
She hesitated. Hillary" she con-
tinued presently, "that is how 1t was
arranged that I was to marry-him."
Hilary noticed her unwillingness to
pronounce Brousseau's name. st was
because he has a hold on the seign-
Tory, and if my father lost it the
shock would kill him.
"When-he-was a boy, working
for my father here, he had ambitious
dreams. like so many young Cana
dams. 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. | knew
nothing of all this, because 1 was at
school in Paris. But when | 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
60, and we should have our ancient
solitude again. But he needed more
money to help q relative in Quebec
who had lost his fortune through tax
ing his advice to invest In one of the
companies. My father felt obligated
to him. SO-he-gOt the mortgage, and
it expires in December. and-thats all,
Hilary, dear, except to say that, al
though it was expected l was TO marry
him, l never in my heart expected to.
And | 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, and once he was jealous
he seemed to divine-and he accused
me of caring for you. That was what
made me angry with you. 1 tried to
hate you more, and all the time L
used to think about you, dear-I was
ashamed am still ashamed"
81 think we must both have known
that we were meant to love each other,
as soon as we met" Hilary said.
Il think l did know" S'>e answered
softly.
Does he know your decision?"
asked Hilary.
She nodded. 81 told him when he
gave me to understand his wicked de-
sign against you that l could never be
anything TO him. had not gagged him
before-or, rather. 1 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, and as answering as
mine, you can remain happy in the
knowledge that we love each other.
anu as lOllS dS lOuA AONC 10 wei v
ing you can know that l love you.
Nothing can alter my love except the
knowledge that yours is not true. And
although the waiting may he long 1
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. | am going to tell
your father" he said.
She started out of his arms. "Hil-
aryI 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
will fight you to the bitter end"
But shall not be his. What harm
can he do me?'
Listen, first" she said, as they be-
gan walking slowly back toward the
Chateau. The other day, as soon as
your recovery was assured. father
went down to the mill and talked with
your hands. He gave them a terrible
scolding. He told them that they owed
as much duty toward their employer
as toward him. 1t was not because he
loved you. Hilary, but because of his
sense of duty. He thinks it is my duty
to sacrifice myself for the seigniory.
There viii be no more trouble with
your workmen. now that they know
YOU are our friend. But. Hilary, /
can't bear to have the old. bad feeling
back again. Give me up, deari'
He laughed and put his arm about
her. Il can't believe he will hate me
foreyermore. just because 1 want to
take you 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. Il suppose you are
right. Hilary" she said. But then
what viii happen to us?"
rs the interest very much?"
at is not the interest, Hilary. It is
the principal. Hilary, it is hundred
and fifty thousand dollars"
Hilary looked glum. There was no
chance Of raising that amount any
where. And it was his turn TO de
spair.
Are you sure" he asked. that the
sacrifice is worth your while? / feel
like a thief. 10 rob your father and
you, unless you are sure"
And it was her turn 10 be hopeful
Il am sure that / love you. dear" she
answered. 'and that the sacrifice my