The Connecticut labor press., 1920-02-28

sense of duty. He thinks it is my duty to sacrifice myself for the seigniory. There will be 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!"
 He laughed and put his arm about her. 'I can't believe he will hate me forevermore, just because I 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. "I suppose you are right, Hilary" she said. "But then what will happen to us?'
 "Is the interest very muchP'
 ''It 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, to rob your father and you, unless you are sure"
 And it was her turn to be hopeful. ''T am sure that love you, dear," she answered. "and that the sacrifice my father expects of me is an unjust one"
 So they resolved to speak no more about it, 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 grasping hands.
 There was one thing that had pug zled Hilary for long time, and now it 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 preached this subject with Ma deleine, who looked at him in wonder.
 q never thought of it in that way" she answered slowly. "I thought 1t was just-just because he sensed that we were going to care for each other, and so wanted you away"
 ''It may be so," unused Hilary. "But somehow I fancy there must be 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. It was pitifully clear that he was the dominating force there, and that Rosny had been endeavoring to pla- cate him without avail.
 Come in, Madeleine" said the seign- neur, turning to her. You will ex- cuse us, I am sure, Monsieur Askew," he added to Hilary.
 "No!" shouted Brousseau. "It will be just as we'll that your friend the American shall understand the situa tion. am a plain man, and I speak without concealment to any sone who cares to listen. So you have been i'm plicating me in your troubles with your men, eh, Monsieur Askew7 Be cause one of the workmen whom you have assaulted at various times draws a knife on you and cuts you slightly, while half unconscious from your blows, you aIlege a plot on my part to murder you?"
 Without answering him, Hilary turned to the Seigneur. "If Monsieur Brousseau's business is with me, no doubt you and Mademoiselle Rosny will excuse us," he said.
 'Tt ain't with you," retorted Brous- seau, scowling. "I was just telling you my opinion of you, the same as I'd tell any man, no matter who he was. It's with you, Rosny," he continued, addressing the Seigneur again. And it ain't private. Private? Diab1e, it's too publicl It's made me the laughing stock of St. Boniface, and Ste. Marie too. Every ones seen Mademoiselle Rosny riding and driving with me. Now she says she won't have any more to do with me. Why? Have I changed? Ain't I the man I always was? When I make a bargain I stick
 
 to it.''
 Monsieur Brousseau," protested the Seigneur, i've Rosnys do Lot break our pledges. Whatever my daughter has contracted to do will be done. But this is hardly the occasion, or the man. ner@"
 ''I know 1t ain't," said Brousseau, and Hilary felt Madeleine's hand, which had gripped his arm tight ly to restrain him, relax its tension. Maybe I forgot myself. I don't want to be anything but a gentleman in the presence of ladies, but it's hard, Monsieur Rosny, when everything's as good as settled, to have it put back in the melting-pot Meaning you, Mon sieur Askewi" he continued, sneering into Hilary's face. "That's where you come into this business. When people in St. Boniface began to talk about MademoiseIle here having thrown me over for him"-he was addressing the Seigneur again-''it's more than flesh and blood can stand"
 The Seigneur looked pitifully dis tressed. His face. flushed with resent ment at Brousseau's insolence, was nodded into impotence by conflicting impulses. He stepped forward.
 "I am sure, gentlemen, that there exists no cause for disagreement" he said. Monsieur Askew is entirely guiltless of what you suggest. Please