Elbert County tribune and Elbert County banner., 1920-06-18


Madeleine Rosny. seemed like be-
nevolent guardian.
"When he came to like you I was
gIad.'' continued Lafe. But when you
came to like him | was Just about as
happy as when | WIS leading Clarice-
my wife. l mean-out of the First
Methodist church ar Shoeburyport.
Mass. OH August IT. 1902. with her
white veil hiding her. and them orange
flowers she was carrying scenting up
the place not quite so glad may
be. but not far shy of 1t. And you
think he wasn't true to your What
man in his senses wouldn't ber
Il won't hear you'll" cried the girl,
HE should have spoken for himself.
What right have you to speak for him.
sent or unsent?"
why. l thought I'd explain that,
mamzeIle. Just because I'm his
friend" said Lafe. 'Tt amt true. Not
word OF that story's true. I'm going
to tell you the truth. But first I'm go
ing to say what l got to say, because
it's true. You haven't acted rightly
toward him-no, you haven't mann
zelie,"
The passionate gesture. the sincerity
Of his tone dominated her. She tried
to find her voice and could not; she
tried to find Indignation and could not.
"We went to Ste. Marie together to
see conditions there, to see what
sort of place Simeon Duval was run
ming. The girl was there. 1t was the
f.rle xf . h. III IL
away. She got home, and her father
never knew. Little Baptiste knew, and
others who'd seen her with us. They
told Brousseau. and he started those
lies about Mr.. Askew, who never knew
about it-never knew anything.
THAT fellow Pierre, Brousseau's
man. had his eye on the girl. You know
the sort of work he's done along this
coast. Maybe you don't, but it's devils
work. mamzelle, and he and Leblanc
lured Marie into a boat by means OF
their decoy. Nanette Bonnat. and took
her to the island. We found them
there, and saved her. and brought the
girls back. That's all. Now you
know. Now you understand how
you've done Hilary wrong. If you
don't believe me-" Lafe continued dog
gedly. Just tell me how much you
don't believe, and I'll prove it. I'll
prove every word: you don't have to
take me on trust
| DO you think l am capable of seek
ing evidence that a man is true to
me?" cried Madeleine. DO you think
am going into st. Boniface to pry
into your friends actionsr
you love him. mamzelle." said Lafe.
with patience that would not be
thwarted. II can read that in your
face You love him. and you've done
him wrong. Well. mamzelle. you
can't lie down under that You cam
bear it. You've got to right IT."
She burst into helpless tears. 'Y
hoped that he would come to me-" she
whispered.
Hillary Askew amt that kind OF a
man." said Lafe.
He refused TO defend himself"
He'd promised Marie to say moth
ing"
Let me pass. / have heard you"
But Lafe stood in the way. you're
going to tell him it's all right" he said.
TN arrange it SO 1t won't hurt your
pride. IL that's worth keeping"
How dare you insult me? Let him
come to mel Let him come and
plead,"
"Mamzellel"
IL shall never go to him."
And Lafe had reached the end. His
outraged justice had led him to the
goal; but 1t was the wrong goal He
was helpless. he was beaten. He
stepped aside. and she ran past him,
hurrying up the stairs, whose faded
carpet was held by furnished rods
that cleaned between her moving feet
Lafe looked along the gloomy hall
at the portraits in their gilt frames.
and he felt the unreasoning, stubborn
Rosny spirit that looked out of the
eyes of each, as it had looked out OF
Madeleine's and spoken by her. And
1t had met such another spirit in Hill
ary.
Il guess you're wrong. all of you"
Lafe muttered. 81 guess you manu-
factured your code and thought 1t was
breeding and pride. and you can't help
it. You got your foundations crooked.
You can't help it; that's ALL"
And with the same dogged patience.
but with an added air of hopelessness,
he put on his snowshoes and plodded
from the Chateau.
cro BE coNTINUED)