The Arvada enterprise. (Arvada, Colo.) 1908-1970, 1920-07-08

to improve. There was ever Ike
hood now Of being able to carry on
through the winter. Brousseau had
showed no signs Of further intsrfer.
ence with his men, and there was even
the possibility Of getting out another
small load.
Hilary had sent Nanette home to II
Joseph. She had promised to vrtts n
him, but, % he had expected, he had
not heard from her. Baptiste had
thrown up his position with Dvpoot
and gone into the Ste. Marie limits ia
trap. Marie Dupont avoided Hilary:
he had not seen her since the day Of
their adventure.
Az for Dupont. whatever he knew.
hs showed no signs. And things seemed
to settle into equilibrium. though Hui.
AIRY was sure that Q deoousment vas
to follow. He could only wait "a
tiently for that No action could come
from him. He could not violate his
pledge to Marie In order to secure him.
self with Madeleine.
Then came the news which stunned
Hilary out Of his mental apathy. Mad.
eleine was to marry Brousseau. II
was to be in three weeks-at Christ
mas. and the banns had been read in
church that Sunday morning for the
6rst time.
What had happened was this: The
Seigneur had not given his daughter
any sign Of remembrance Of the event,
that had transpired Immediately be.
fore his stroke. though he was in other
respects normal, save for the paraly-
sis Of the left side. But - the weeks
went BY he grew more and more
nervous and depressed, until one night
he blurted out:
'"Where will you take me after the
estate changes handsf I cannot re-
main in ct. Boniface, nor can I remain
with you and the American. I am too
old to 60 anywhere but to the grave"
SO he had remembered Ill the timei
Madeleine put her arms about his
neck. II am not going to marry Non.
sieur Askew," she answered.
Then, without warning. the old
Seigneur fell to crying and laughing,
a. II a tremendous load Of care had
been lifted from his shoulders. The
land. which had meant % much to him
all his life. now seemed to be every
thing. and he interpreted Nadeleines
answer to indicate her willingness to
marry Brousseau.
"well. why notf' she thought with
intense bitterness. a. she listened.
"Have I any other duty now. save to
my fatherf'
She never doubted her judgment Of
Hilary. The story had been dinned
into her earn By Brousseau since Hi.
afy's arst visit to Ste. Marie. She had
heard It from tradesmeo's wives. the
postmistress. until their attachment
WAS known: then had come silence
and furtiveaess. And she had seemed
to think Of its possibility unttl that
night.
And shs had given him his chance
and b had said netting.
6hs accepted The situation and at
down and psnned . short, formal let.
ter to Bsousseau.
He came the next day, driving f0-
riously up to the Chateau. He thrust
Robitaille out Of his way and pushed
into the living room. where he found
Madeleine. deathly white. seated alone.
waiting for him. He opened his arms
to embrace her.
"Sit down, Bdouard," she said with
chilling apathy. II am going to talk
frankly to you. You wish to marry
met"
II want you for my wife," said
Brousseau. "You know that. You
know I don't think anything Of that
affair" WINGED at the word.
but he did not notice it-"with Mon
slsur Askew. The mans scoundrel,
Q thief, and q ubertine-"
n do not wish to hear that. mon
sieur," said Madeleine peremptoriiy.
'Diable. that's natural enough And
% that's forgotten" Brousseau could
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