The Rice belt journal., 1920-05-29


surely can never justify himself in
bearing lll-will to those who purchase
from him"
ut is not that, Hilary. 1t is be-
cause-well first, because you are an
American. He does not love the Eng
lish, but he hates Americans. He
thinks that they betrayed Canada in
1888. And because the people are sat
isfed under English rule, and loyal,
he resents 1t 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 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 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 thaB
he loves meat least, believe he
looks on me as an accessory Of it."
She hesitated. Hillary" she con-
tinued presently, shat is how it was
arranged that / was to marry-him.
Hilary noticed her unwillingness to
pronounce Brousseau's name. "It was
because he has a hold on the Selgn'
iOry, 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
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
ther's confidence, and got him to put
his money Ia worthless companies
Then he became his creditor. I knew
nothing Of all this, because / was al
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. HI
could only bring himself to do this be
cause he knew that some day the tree!
would be cut down, and the mill wOulC
60, and we should have our ancien
solitude again. But he needed more
money to help relative in Quebe'
who had lost his fortune through tax
ing his advice to invest in one of th'
companies. Ny father felt obligated
to him. SO--he-got the mortgage, anC
it expires in December, and--that's all
Hilary, dear, except to say that, al
though 1t was expected was to MARI.
him, never In my heart expected to
And wouldn't let him-kiss me. Onl!
my cheek-once or twice. 1t used Il
make him so angry. He hates you 81
much, Hilary, and once he was Jealous
he seemed to divine-and he accuses
me Of caring for you. That was wha
made me angry with you. I tried t
hate you more, and all the time /
used to think about you, dear-I wa
ashamed-I am still ashamed"
"T think we must both have known
that we were meant to love each other
as soon as we met" Hilary said.
'I think l did know" s'>e answere'
softly.
'Does he know your decisions ?
asked Hilary.
She nodded. II told him when h
gave me to understand his wicked de
sign against you that 1 could never b
anything to him. / had not gauged hin
before-or, rather, / had been hypnc
tized by my sense of duty toward m
father. But, Hilary, remember this
her cheeks glowed and she looked YER
earnestly at him--''if your love Is a
true as mine, and as answering a
mine, you can remain happy in tn
knowledge that we love each othel
: And as long as your love is unswer7
ing you can know that love yor
Nothing can alter my love except tn
knowledge that yours Is not true. An
3 although the waiting may be long
shall never become his wife to say
my fathers landS-never, Hilary"
She was crying softly, her chez
against his shoulder. Hilary took he
! In his arms. Dear, am going to te
; your father" he said.
b She started out Of his arms. Hi
e airy! You must not. It would kill hir
q to know"
"But ne must know, Madeleine
0 Don't you see, nothing is to be galne
:, by delay. 1t is right that he shoul
know"
I "He will be your enemy, Hilary. 81
: will fight you to the bitter end"
k "But l shall not be his. What harI
e can he do meT'
Listen, first" she said, as they b,
!. gan walking slowly back toward th
y Chateau. "The other day, as soon 6
:, your recovery was assured, fatht
went down to the mill and talked wit
/" your hands. BE gave them terribl
s scoldIng. He told them that they owe
o 60 much duty toward their employC