The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1920-09-28


altar this dcmoiselle. no meek and
dutifui. turned upon me like
leopardess. charged me with cruelty
and crimes. and broke. before the
gaping priest. the troth had plight
ed for her. l swore there and then.
by ten thousand 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 first MAIDEN
olseilc must be wed this night IL
not you. then another. You have
ten minutes In which TO make your
decision. DO not ven me with words
or questions. Ten minutes. shep-
herd. and they are speeding"
The marquis drummod loudly with
his white fingers upon the table. lie
sank into n yelled attitude OF wait
ing. IL was ms II some great house
had shut Its doors and windows
against approach. David would have
spoken. but the huge mans bearing
stopped his tongue. Instead. he
stood by tho iady's chair and
bowed.
"MndemoiseIic.- he said. ana he
marvellcd 10 find his words flowing
easily before NO much elegance and
beauty. "You have heard mo say |
was n shepherd. ! have also had the
fancy. Mt times. that ! am n poet.
IL II be- tho teat OF n poet 10 adore
and cherish the beautiful. that fancy
10 now strengthened. Can i serve
you In any way. mademolselic7"
Tho young woman looked up Mt
him with eyes dry and mournful.
Ills frank. glowing face. made
serious by the gravity OF tho adven'
ture. his strong straight figure and
the liquid sympathy in his blue eyes.
perhaps. also. her imminent need OF
long denied help and Kindness. thaw.
ed her TO sudden tears.
Monsieur" sho said. IN . low
tone. you look TO be true and kind.
lilo is my uncle. the brother OF my
father. and my only relative. lie
loved my mother. and hates me be
cause I am like her. lie has made
my life one song terror. ! am afraid
OF hla very looks. and never before
dared 10 disobcy him. But tonight
he would have married me to man
three times fny age. You will for.
civ. mo for bringing this vcxation
upon you. monsieur. You will. OF
course. decline this mad act no tries
10 force upon you. But let me
thank you for your generous words.
at least. I have had mono spoken
to me in 80 long"
There was now something more
than generosity In tho poets eyes.
Poet he mus, have been. for Yvonne
was forgotten: this fine. new lowell.
ness held him with its freshness and
grace. The subtle perfume from her
filled him with strange emotions His
tender look fell warmly upon her.
She leaned 10 II. thlrstIiy.
Ten Minutes said David. lis
given me In which 20 DO what
would devote years 10 achieve.
viii not say pity you. mademoiseiie:
10 would not be true--I love you
I cannot ask love from you yet. but
let me rescue You from this cruel
man. and. In time. love may come.
I think ] have n future.
VIII not always be a shepherd
For tho present | will cherish you
with all my heart and make your
iife ieas nad WIN you trust your
fate TO me. mademoiselle7"
"Ah. you would sacrifice yourself
from pityr
Prom love. Tho time Is almost
! up madcmoiselie4"
You will regret ~ and despise
me-"
II win i've only 10 make you
happy. and myself worthy OF you
Her fine small hands crcpt into his
from beneath her cloak.
II will trust you" she brcathed.
with my life And-end iovc-may
not be 30 far an you think. Tell him.
oncc away from the power OF his
eyes may forget"
David went and stood before the
ma ruuis. Tho black figure stirred.
and the hooking eyes glanced at the
great hall clock.
Two minutes 10 sparN A shcp-
herd requires eight minutes 10 de-
eide whether he win accept a bride
Of beauty and incomc' Speak UP.
shepherd. do you consent 10 become
madcmoisciie's husband.
'Mademoiseile." said David, stand.
ing proudly. has done me the honor
to yield TO my request that she be
come my wife,
"Wcii said-' said the marquis.
You have yet the making OF a cour.
Ter In you. master shepherd. MAIDEN.
oisclle could have drawn n worse
prize. after all. And now TO be done
with tho affair ms quick ms the
church and the devil will ailowr'
He struck the table soundiy with
his sword hilt. The landlord came,
knee shaking. bringing more candles
in tho hope Of anticipating the great
lords whims Fetch a priest" said
the marquis. "a priest: do you under.
stand7 In ten minutes have a priest
here. or"
Tho landlord dropped his candles
and flew.
The priest came. hcavy-cyed and
I ft' tfHflu ana
Lucie de Varcnnes man and wife.
pockctcd n gold piece that the mar.
auis tossed him, and shuffled out
again into the night
Wine" ordered the MARQUIS.
spreading his 'ominous fingers at tho
host
"Fili giasses.- he said. when Il
was brought He stood up Mt tho
head OF the table In the candlelight,
a black mountain OF venom and con.
ccit. with something like the memory
Of an old love turned to poison In his
eye, AS II fell upon his niece.
Monsieur Mignot." he said, rails.
ing his winoglass. drink after / say
this to you: You have taken TO be
your wife one who win make your
life m fattt and u,rafehaJ tblp1 m, n