The Rice belt journal., 1920-05-29

mduclCIhO WdS dS pdiC 40 uCoIhj UuL
she stood forward bravely. 81 never
pledged my word to you, Monsieur
Brousseau," she said in low tone.
"You know 1t. You asked me to be
your wife and l refused. You took a
good deal for granted. You took me
for granted. You made a mistake.
When you treacherously cOnspired to
cut Monsieur Askew's boom, when you
planned his death, you lost whatever
chance you had ever had. l shall never
marry you"
Brousseau staggered backward, came
up against the table, and stood star
ing at her in incredulity, in fear, in
fury, his own face whittier than hers.
The Seigneur sat down in his chair
heavily, seeming to collapse there.
Then BrOusseau flung his fear aside
and laughed, and 1t was the most evil
laugh that Hilary had ever heard. He
addressed Rosny; and as he spoke he
continued to advance toward him, un-
til he was shaking his fist in the old
Seigneur's face.
II understand nOw," he sneered.
'This fine American has been at work
in this matter. 1t is he who has been
spreading these lying stories about
me. l don't blame your daughter,
Rosny. A woman is easily influenced
by new face. Sos man, for that
matter.
Il don't blame her. I expect my
wife to be true to me after we're mar
ried-no more and no less. I'll take
care of the love. / amt hard man.
l can make allowances for human ma
ture. l expect to mold her and to
keep watch over her. Maybe she'd
do the same with me.
"But this is different, ROsny," he
shouted furiously. Hes been telling
her lies about me. He came up here
and started in to crush me. He wants
to drive me out Of Ste. Marie. I'm not
the man to allow that, Rosny! You
know what I mean. I'll deal with hin
when the times comes. I'll speak tC
him again presently. I'm speaking tc
you now. Is she going to marry me OF
amt she? You know what it's going
to cost you if she goes back on hel
word"
R0sny groped her way to his feet
The old duelist, who In his younger
days would fight at the drop of tht
hat, had been brought pitiably low
but not so low as Brousseau thought
His face was aflame. He opened hi
mouth, suffered, and pointed toWart
the door.
"You can go. You can 60, Monsieur
Brousseau," he stammered. "Custon
custom and courtesy forbid-insul
a guest-go before l forget myself"
'Tll go, then," shouted Brousseau
and moved toward the door. "You'v
, had your chance. Once more, is sh
willing to be reasonable1 / keep m
word, In friendship or enmity. VII
she keep hers2 II so I'll forget. II
call it q whim. T."
"No, / shall never be your wife,
said Madeleine quietly.
Brousseau swung upon Hillary
"Some day TIL get you, you lyin
dogl" he swore, and raised his han
r threateningly.
! Madeleine darted between then
''You cowardl" she cried. "You Gov
; ard, to threaten a wounded man, whoI
you do dare not look In the face
anger when he is well!"
Brousseau shrugged his shoulder
and turned toward the door. The mt
lignant smile upon his face SCENE
frozen there, giving him the aspect {
. q satyr's mask. Hilary came forwar
and tried to draw Madeleine asid,
but she still confronted Broussea
with blazing eyes. But 1t was th
: Seigneur's look of agony and sham
:. that was the most vivid part Of th
picture.
Rosny stood like statue beside th
door, watching Brousseau make h
way along the corridor toward the el
; trance. Hilary put his arms abot
Madeleine, supporting her. Her cou
age was gone, and she was weepin
uncontrollably.
The front door slammed and Rosn
turned back into the room. He bur-
out In passionate words.
ut is all gone" he cried. "Ever
. &hing-home, lands, inheritance. An
1t is well gone. The Rosny seigniol
: is nearly everything to me, but you al
more, Madeleine. Our name NEAR
little enough now, but 1t shall new
become allied with that Of the scou
drel who has robbed me of everythiI
) else."
He raised his clenched first an
shook it in the air with passionate
u dramatic gesture, as If to register h
u vow. His face was strangely mottlt
s. with red. and white, and he seemed
l, have aged ten years within ten mi
y utes.
II offer you my humblest regrets f
what has occurred this morning, mo
= sieur," he said to Hilary. "There WI
Z time when should have exact'
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