The Washington herald., 1920-09-13
. ROADS OF DESTINY

than generosity in the poets eyes.
Poet he must have been, for
Yvonne was forgotten.
Ten minutes" said David. lis
given me in which to do what l
would devote years to achieve.
will not say l pity you mademoi-
selle; it would not be true-I love
you. l cannot ask love from you
yet. but let me rescue you from
this cruel man, and in time love
may come. l think l have a fu-
ture.
Il will not always be a shepherd
For the present l will cherish
you with all my heart and make
your life less sad. Will you trust
your fate to me, mademoiseIle?"
"Ah, you would sacrifice your
self from pity
From love- The time is almost
up mademoiselle."
81 will trust you" she breathed,
with my life. And-and love-
may not be so far as you think.
Tell him. Once away from the
power of his eyes l may forget"
David went and stood before the
maj u AASr AAt OlSANN rs VI SUI CAT
and the mocking eyes glanced at
the great hall clock.
"MademOiselle." said David,
standing proudly, has done me
the honor to yield to my request
that she become my wife"
We'll said" said the marquis.
You have yet the making of a
cOurtier in you, master shepherd.
Mademoiselle could have drawn
a worse prize, after all. And now
to be done with the affair as
quick as the church and the devIl
will allow"
He struck the table soundly
with mis- sword hilt. The landlord
came, knee-shaking. bringing
more candles in the hope of an
ticiPating the great lords whims.
Fetch a priest" said the marquis.
"a priest; do you understand? In
ten minutes have a priest here,
or"
The landlord dropped his can
dies and flew.
The priest came, heavy-cyed
and ruffled. He made David
Mingot and Lucie de Vsrennes man
and wife. pocketed a gold piece
that the marquis tossed him, and
shuffled out again into the night.
Wine" ordered the marquis,
spreading his ominous fingers az
the host.
Fill glasses" he said, when Il
was brought. He stood up at the
head of the table in the candIe-
light, a black mountain of venom
and conceit, with something like
the memory of an old love turned
to poison in his eye, as it fell
upon his niece.
Monsieur Mignot," he said,
raising his wineglass. drink aft
er 1 say this to you: You have
taken to be your wife one VINO
will make your life a foul and
wretChed thing. The blood in her
is an inheritance running black
lies and red ruin. She will bring
you shame and anxiety. The devil
that descended to her is there in
her eyes and skin and mouth that
stoop even to beguile a peasant.
There is your promise, monsieur
poet, for a happy life. Drink our
. wine. At last, mademoiselle, 1 am
rid of you"
The marquis drank. A little
Srievous cry, as if from a sudden
wound, came from the girls lips.
David, with his glass in his hand,
stepped forward three PAGES and
faced the marquis. There was lit
tie OF shepherd in his bearing.
Just now" he said, calmly,
you did me the honor to callsme
monsieur May l hope, there
fore, that my marriage to made
moiselle has placed me somewhat
nearer to you Inlet US say, re-
fected rank-has given me the
right to stand more as an equal
to monseigneur in a certain little
piece of business I have in my
mind?"
You may hope, shepherd"
sneered the marquis.
Then" said David, dashing his
glass of wine into the contemptu-
Gus eyes that Knocked him, per
haps you will condescend to fight
me-"
A postillion brought two shining
great pistols, ornamented with
carven silver, from the carriage
holsters. The marquis tossed one
upon the table near David's hand.
ITO the other end of the table"
ne cried; even shepherd may
pull a trigger. Few of them at
tain the honor to die by the
weapon of a De Beaupertuys."
Mine hosts knees smote the
floor. He was without a vocabu-
larry. Even sounds were beyond
him. Still. by gestures he seemed
TO beseech peace in the name of
his house and custom
L will give the word" said the
lady, in a clear voice. She went
up to David and kissed him
-sweetly. Her eyes were sparkling
bright. and color had Ncome to
her cheek. She stood against the
Wall. and the two men ieveled
their pistols for her count.
"Un-deaux-trois!"
The two reports came SO near