The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1920-03-20

sells MS property, or rights over 1,
surely can never justify himself II
bearing ill-will to those who purcbas
from him."
1T Is not that, Hilary. 1t is be
cause-well, first, because Won are a,
American. He does not love the Eng
ilsh, but he hates Americans. Fl,
thinks that they betrayed Canada II
1883. And because the people are sat
isfied under English rule, and LOYAL
he resents 1t and broods over it."
But that is all ancient history.
said Hilary, laughing at the absurdit,
or the idea. AS a 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
mas let his dreams take hold of him
too much. And they are bound uI
with his craze for the land. He wants
the selgniory to remain undivided for
ever, he wants the feudaI tenure
back, with the serfs of his boyhood
days; he loves his land far better than
he loves meat least, / believe he
looks on me as an accessory of it."
She hesitated. Hilary" she con-
tfnued presently, "that is how it was
arranged that was to marry-him. :"
Hilary noticed her unwillingness to
pronounce BrOusseau's name. at was
because he has a hold on the seign-
Tory, 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
dams. My father became interested
In him, gave him an education, and
helped him. He repaid it by schem-
ing to get hold Of the Rosny Inherit
ance. He set to work, won my ia
Tiers confidence, and got him to put
his money In worthless companies.
Then he became his creditor. l knew
nothing Of all this, because 1 was at
school in Paris. But when l came
home, after my mothers death, my
father was in his power.
"He tried to free himself by selling
your uncle the timber rights. He
could only bring himself to do this be-
cause he knew that some day the trees
would be cut down. and the mill would
60, and we should have our ancient
solitude again. But he needed more
money to help relative In Quebec
who had lost his fortune through TAX
ing his advice to invest in one Of the
companies. My father felt obligated
to him. So-he-got the mortgage, and
it expires In December, and-that's all,
Hilary, dear, except to say that, al
though it was expected l was to marry
him, never in my heart expected to.
And l wouldn't let him-kiss me. Only
my cheek-Once or twice. 1t used to
make him SO angry. He hates you so
much, Hilary, and once he, was jealous
he seemed to divine-and he accused
me Of caring for you. That was what |
made me angry with you. tried to
hate you more, and all the time 7
1sed to think about you, dear-I was
am still ashamed"
II think we must both have known
hat we were meant to love each other,
Is soon as we met" Hilary said
81 think did know" Che answered
'oftly.
Does he know your decisionw
lsked Hilary.
She nodded. 81 told him when he
ave me to understand his wicked de-
ign against you that l could never be
nything to him. i had not gagged him
efore-or, rather, / had been hypno-
lied by my sense of duty toward my
ather. But. Hilary, remember this
er cheeks glowed and she looked very
at him-''if your love Is as
rue as mine, and as answering as
line, you can remain happy in the
nowledge that we love each other.
nd as long as your love is unswerv-
~ you can know that / love you.
Tothing can alter my love except the
that yours is not true. And
Though the waiting may be long l
hall never become his wife to save ,
v fathers lands-never. Hilary
She was crying softly. her cheek
,ainst his shoulder. Hilary took her
his arms. Dear, / am going to tell
our father" he said.
She started out Of his arms. "Hil-
~! You must not. 1t would kill him {
know"
But he must know, Madeleine. 6
ont you see, nothing is to be gained
|, delay. 1t is right that he should t
now" 4
'1He will be your enemy, Hilary. He I
i'll fight you to the bitter end" T
"But shall not be his. What harm
IN he do me?' e
Listen. first" she said, as they be- s
IN walking slowly back toward the g
lateau. THE other day, as soon as 7
'ur recovery was assured, father h
ent down to the nall and talked with /
uur hands. He gave them a terrible a
Gliding. He told them that they owed h
- l.