The Rice belt journal., 1920-05-29

sense or 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. II can't believe he will hate me
fOrevermOre, just because | want to
take you away from him. No, dear, l
shall tell him, but not today perhaps.
You see, with less than three months
before us, we can't drift any longer"
She sighed. II suppose you are
right, Hilary" she said, "But then
what will happen to US"
"Is the interest very much"
1T is not the Interest, Hilary. It is
the principal. Hilary, it is a 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 while2 l feel
like a thief, to rob your father and
you, unless you are sure"
And it was her turn to be hopeful.
II 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 handst
There was one thing that had puz,
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 broached this subject with Ma
deleIne, who looked at him in wonder
II never thought Of it in that way,
she answered slowly. II thought II
was just-just because he sensed thai
we we're going to care for each other
and so wanted you away"
"It may be So" mused Hilary. "But
somehow 1 fancy there must be
deeper reason"
AS be concluded Madeleine stopped
suddenly and clutched his arm in agi
tation. They had reached the side o.
the Chateau. From where they stood
the front Of the building was visible
A buggy was at the door, and Hilar!
recognized the horse as BrOusseau's g
He was standing in the liVing-rOon
when they went in. facing the Seign
eur across the table. His rage, whicl
he made little effort to hide, was pat
ent. 1t was pitifully clear that he wal
the dominating force there, and tina
Rosny had been endeavoring to pla
cate him without avail.
"Come in, Madeleine" said the selgn
neur, turning to her. "You will ex
cuse us, am sure, Monsieur Askew,
he added to Hilary.
"Nor shouted BrOusseau. 1T viii
be just as well that your friend tn
American shall understand the situa
ton. am a plain man, and speal
without concealment to any one VIII
cares to listen. So you have been In
pllcating me in your troubles wit
your men, eh, Monsieur Askew? BE
cause one of the workmen whom yol
have assaulted at various times draw
knife on you and cuts you slightly
while half unconscious from you
blows, you allege a plot on my par
to murder your"
Without answering him, Hilar
turned to the Seigneur. "If Monsieu
Brousseau's business is with me, n
doubt you and MademOiselle Rosn
will excuse us" he said.
ut amt with you" retorted BrOuf
seau, scowling. II was just telling 20
my opinion of you, the same as +
tell any man, no matter who he wai
It's with you, Rosny," he continued
addressing the Seigneur again. IAN
It ain't private. Private? Diable, it
too public! It's made me the laughing
stock of st. Boniface, and Ste. Mari
too. Every ones seen MademOisell
Rosny riding and driving with mt
Now she says she won't have an
more to do with me. Why2 Have
, changed? Amt / the man l alway
was? When I make bargain / site
, to It."
, Monsieur Brousseau," protested tn
Seigneur, 1--WE Rosnys do Lot break ou
, pledges. Whatever my daughter ha
contracted to do will be done. But thi
, is hardly the occasion, or the mai
. ner-"
81 know it amt" said Brousseal
. subsiding; and Hilary felt Madeleine
hand, which had gripped his arm tigh
i. ly to restrain him, relax its tension
.'Maybe / forgot myself, l don't wal
3 to be anything but a gentleman in tt
/ presence of ladies, but it's hare
| Monsieur Rosny, when everything's
e good as settled, to have it put bac
in the melting-pot. Meaning you, Mo-
sIeur Askewp y he continued, Sneerir
; into Hllary's face. That's where yc
come into this business. When peop
In st. Boniface began to talk abo'
Mademoiselle here having thrown n
\ over for him-he was addressing Il