Elbert County tribune and Elbert County banner., 1920-05-28


true as mine. and as unswerving as
mine, you can remain happy In the
knowledge that we love each other.
And as long as your love is unswery-
ing you can know that love you.
Nothing can aiter my love except the
knowledge that yours Is not true. And
although the waiting mny be long
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-
aryl 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
VIII fight you to the bitter end"
But l shall not be his. What harm
can he do mef'
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 terrible
scoIdlng. 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
nf dnfu Il. thfnEs II q m 1fttv
to sacrifice myself for the seigniory.
There will he no more trouble with
your workmen, now that they know
YOU are our friend. But. Hilary. l
can't bear to have the old. bad feeling
back again. Give me up. dear y
He laughed and put his arm about
her II can't believe he will hate me
forevermore. just because | want to
take you away from him. No. dear. l
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 then
what will happen to us?''
''Is the interest very much7"
1T is not the interest. Hilary. 1t Is
the principal. Hilary, 1t is a hundred
and fifty thousand dollars"
Hilary looked glum. There was no
chance Of raising that amount any
where. And il was his turn to de-
spair.
"Are you sure" he asked. ''thBt the
sacrifice is worth your whilef / feel
like thief. to rob your father and
you. unless you are sure"
And 1t was her turn to be hopeful.
II am sure that l love you. dear" she
answered. land that the sacrifice my
father expects of me Is an unjust
one"
So they resolved to speak no more
about 1t, to tell Rosny as soon as an
opportunity occurred. and to wait,
though the waiting for something to
eventuate which would resolve the diff
ficulty seemed useless. Only miracle
could save the seigniory from Brous-
seau's grasplng hands.
There was one thing that had puz-
zled Hilary for a 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?
He broached this subject with Ma
deleine, who looked at him in wonder.
81 never thought of 1t in that way
she answered slowly. 81 thought 1t
was just-just because he sensed that
we were going to care for each other.
and so wanted you away"
at may be So" mused Hilary. "But
somehow l 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 Brousseau's.
He was standing in the living room
when they went in, facing the Seign-
eur across the table. His rage, which
he made little effort to hide, was pat
ent. 1t was pitifully clear that be was
Rosny had been endeavoring to pia-
cate him without avail.
"Come in. Madeleine" said the seIgn-
neur. turning to her. You viii ex-
cuse us. am sure. Monsieur Askew.
he added to Hilary.
No" shouted Brousseau. at will
be just as well that your friend the
American shall understand the situa-
tIon. / am plain man, and l speak
without concealment to any one who
| cares to listen. So you have been i'm
plicatIng me In your troubles with
your men, eh, Monsieur Askew? Be
cause one of the workmen whom you
have assaulted at various times draws
n knife on you and cuts you slightly.
while half unconscious from your
blows. you allege plot on my part