The Aberdeen weekly. [volume] (Aberdeen, Miss.) 1878-1933, 1920-03-26

as toward him. 1t was not because he
loved you. Hilary, but because of his
sense Of duty. He thinks 1t is my duty
To sacrifice myself for the seigniory.
There. will be no more trouble with
your workmel. now that they know
you are our friend. But. Hilary.
can't bear TO nave 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 l want to
take you away from him. No. dear. ]
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?"
rs the interest very much?'
1T is not the interest, Hilary. 1t 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 while? l feel
like q thief, to rob your father and
you, unless you are sure"
And 1t was her turn to be hopeful.
81 am sure that I love you, dear" she
answered. land that the sacrifice my
father expects of me is an unjust
one"
So they resolved to speak no more
about ii, 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 a miracle
could save the seigniory from Brous-
seau's graspiIg hands.
There was one thing that had puz-
zled Hilary for a long time. and now
Ii stayed In his thoughts and would
not leave him. Why was Brousseau
willing to spend unlimited money to
Gust him from his timber rights? Why
did he not balk at murder?
He preached this subject with Ma
deleine, who looked at him in wonder
81 never thought of 1t in that way"
she answered slowly. II thought 1t
was just-just because he sensed that
we were going to care for each other,
and so wanted you away"
'It may be So" unused Hilary. But
deeper reason"
AS he concluded Madeleine stopped
suddenly and clutched his arm in agi-
tation. They had reached the side Of
the Chateau. From where they stood
the front Of the building was visible.
A buggy was at the door, and Hilary
recognized the horse as Brousseau's.
He was standing In the living-room
when they went in. facing the Seign-
eur across the table. His rage. which
he made little effort to hide, was pat
the dominating force there, and that
Rosny had been endeavOring TO pla-
cate him without avail.
Come in, Maidstone" said the seign-
neur, turning to her. You will ex-
cuse us, am sure, Monsieur Askew."
he added to Hilary.
mol" shouted Brousseau. ut Will
be just as well that your friend the
American shall understand the situa-
ton. 1 am plain man, and I speak
without concealment to any one who
cares to listen. So you have been i'm
plicating me in your troubles with
your men. Ell, Monsieur Askew? Be
cause one of the workmen whom you
have assaulted at various times draws
a knife on you and cuts you slightly,
while half unconscious from your
blows. you allege u plot on my part
to murder your
Without answering him Hilary
turned to the Seigneur. IF Monsieur
Brousseau's business Is with me. no
doubt you and Mademoiselle RosnJ
will excuse u.s." he said.
1T amt with you." retorted Brous-
seau, scowling. 81 was just telling you
my opinion of you. the same as I'd
tell any man, no matter who he was.
It's with you. Rosny." he continued.
the Seigneur again. "And
1t amt private. Private? Diable, it's
too publicl It's made me the laughing
stock of st. Boniface, and Ste. Marie
too. Every ones seen Mademoiselle
Rosny riding and driving with me.
Now she says she won't have any
more 20 do with me. Why? Have /
Amt 1 the man / always
was? When l make a bargain stick
to it,
Monsieur Brousseau," protested the
Seigneur, 1--WE Rosnys do Lot break our
pledges. Whatever my daughter has
TO do will be DONE But this
IS hardly the occasion. or the man.
her.
ST know it amt" said Brousseau.
and Hilary felt Medicines
hand. which had gripped his arm tight
" to restrain him, relax its tension.
Maybe l forgot myself. l don't want
to be anything but gentleman in the
presence of ladies. but it's hard,
Monsieur Rosny. when everything's as
good as settled. to have 1t put back |
n the melting-pot. Meaning you, Mon |
sieur Askewl - he continued. sneering |
nto Hilary's face. That's where you |
.ome into this business. When people |
n ST. Boniface began to talk about /
here having thrown me /
,ver for him'-he was addressing the |
seigneur again-"it's more than flesh |
ind blood can stand"
The Seigneur looked pitifully dis
ressed. His face. flushed with resent