The Washington herald., 1920-09-13
CoNTISUEp FROM PAGE ONE,

.. ION IlNIED KUN PAGE UNI.
1 did not know-the hour is so
late-at once shall the door be
opened and the house placed at
my lords disposal"
.r Inside was heard the clink of
chain and bar, and the door was
flung open. Shiyering with chill
and apprehension, the landlord of
the Silver FIagon stood, half clad,
candle in hand. upon the thresh-
old
David followed the marquis out
of the carriage. Assist the lady"
ne was ordered. The poet obeyed.
He felt her small hand tremble as
he guided her deS4snt. Into the
house, was the next command.
My lord" said the landlord,
bOwing to the floor. "h-had l eX-
expected this honor, entertain
ment would have cen resay.
T-t-there is wine and cold fowl
and m-m-may be-
Candles" said the marquis.
spreading the fingers of one plump
white hand in a gesture he had.
yves, my lord" He fetched
half a dozen candles, lighted them
and set them upon the table.
If monsieur would perhaps
deign to taste a certain Bur-
guHdy-there is a cask-
Candles" said monsieur,
spreading his fingers.
'Assuredly-quickly-I fly, my
lord"
The lady sat motionless, and
now David perceived that she was
young. and possessed Of pathetic
and appealing beauty. He was
startled from the contemplation
of her forlorn loveliness by the
booming voice of the marquis.
What is your name and pur-
suit?"
David Mignot." I am a poet"
The mustache of the marquis
curled nearer to his eyes.
Then listen, master shepherd
and poet. to the fortune you have
blundered upon tonight. This lady :
is my niece, Mademoiselle Lucie de
Varennes. She is of noble descent
and is possessed of 10000 francs
a year in her own right. AS to
her charms you have but to OBJ
serve yourself. If the inventory
pleases your shepherds heart, she
becomes your wife at a word. Do
not interrupt me. Tonight l con-
veyed her to the chateau of the
Comte de VillemaUr. to whom her
hand had been promised. Guests
were present; the priest was wait
ing. her marriage to one eligible
in rank and fortune was ready to
be accomplished. At the altar this
denoiselle, so meek and dutiful,
1nanarlAge
charged me with cruelty and
crimes. and broke, before the gap
ing priest, the troth l had plight
ed for her. swore there and
then. by 10000 devils, that she
should marry the first man we
met after leaving the chateau, be
he prince, charCoal-burner, or
thief. You. shepherd, are the rst.
Mademoiselle must be wed this
night. II not you. then another.
You have ten minutes in which to
make your decision. Do not vex
me with words or questions. Ten
minutes, shepherd; and they are
speeding"
The Marquis drummed loudly
with his white fingers upon the ta-
BILE. lie sank into a veiled atti-
tude OF waiting. 1t was as if some
great house had shut it's doors and
windows against approach. Da-
vid would have spoken, but the
huge mans bearing stopped his
tongue. Instead he stood by the
lady's chair and bowed.
'Mademoiselle," he said, and he
msrveled to find his words fiow-
ing easily before so much ele-
garce and beauty. YOU have
heard me say 1 was a shepherd.
/ have also had the fancy, at
times, that I am a poet. II it be
the test OF a poet to adore and
cherish the beautiful, that fancy
is nov Strengthened. Can serve
yOusin any way, mademoiselle?"
The young woman looked up at
hins with eyes dry and mournfuI.
His frank glowing face, made Sc
rious by the gravity OF the ad-
venture. his strong straight figure
and the liquid sympathy in his
blue eyes, perhaps. also, her i'm
minent need of long-dcnied help
and kindness, thawed her to sud
den tears
Monsieur" she said, in a low
tone YOU look to be true and
kind He is my uncle, the brother
OF my father, and my only rela-
tive He loved my mother, and
he bates me because / am like
here He has made py life one
long terror. I am affaid Of his
very looks, and never before dared
to tisobey him. But tonight he
would have married me to a man
three times my age. You will
forgive me for bringing this vex-
alton upon you, monsieur. You
VIII, Of course. decline this mad
act he tries to force upon you.
But LEI me thank you for your
generous words. at least. / have
mad none spoken to me in so
Iong& -
There was now something more