The Dolores star., 1920-06-18

" 'cos ua yOuE love l6 uN6werv-
ing you can know that I love you.
Nothing can alter my love except the
knowledge that yours Is not true. And
a'though the waiting may be long
snail never become his wife to save
my fathers lands-never. Hilary"
She was crying softly. her cheek
against his shoulder. Hilary took her
In his arms. Dear. 1 am going to tell
your father.- he said.
She started out Of his arms. "HIl-
ary! You must not. It would kill him
to know"
But he must know, Madeleine.
Don't you see. nothing Is to be gained
by delay. 1t Is right that he should
know"
"He will be your enemy, Hilary. He
VIII fight you to the bitter end"
But shall not be his. What harm
can he do mef
Listen. first." she said. as they be-
gan walking slowly back toward the
Chateau. THE other day, as soon as
your recovery was assured. father
went down to the mill and talked with
your hands. He gave them a terrible
scolding. He told them that they owed
as much duty toward their employer
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
wnrkmon thot hnS
you are our friend. But, Hilary, !
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
forevernOre, Just because I 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 usf"
'Is the interest very much7"
"It is not the interest. Hilary. 1t is
the principal. Hilary, 1t is a hundred
and fifty thousand dollars"
Hilary looked glum. There was no
chance of raising that amount any
where. And 1t was his turn to de-
spair.
Are you sure" he asked, "that the
sacrifice is worth your while7 l feel
like a thief. to rob your father and
you, unless you are sure"
And 1t was her turn to be hopeful.
II am sure that l 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 1t. to tell ROsny as soon as an
opportunity occurred. and to wait,
though the waiting for something to
eventuate which would resolve the diff
ticulty seemed useless. Only miracle
could save the seignlory from Brous-
seau's grasping hands.
There was one thing that had puz-
zled Hilary for long time. and now
1t stayed In his thoughts and would
not leave him. Why was Brousseau
willing to spend unlimited money to
oust him from his timber rights7 Why
did he not baIk ut murder7
He broached 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-iust because he sensed that
we were going to care for each other.
and so wanted you away"
at may be So" mused Hilary. "But
somehow fancy there must be a
deeper rensOn."
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
ent. 1t was pitifully clear that he was
the dominating force there, and that
Rosny had been endeavoring to pla-
cate him without avail.
"Come in. Madeleine" said the seign-
peur, turning to her. "YOu will ex-
cuse us, am sure. Monsieur Askew."
he added to Hilary.
"No!" shouted Brousseau. ut will
be Just as well that your friend the
American shall understand the situa-
ton. I am plain man, and 1 speak
without conceaiment to any one who
cares to listen. So you have been I'M
pIicating me In your troubles with
your men. eh. Monsieur Askew7 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 a 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 Rosny
will excuse u.s." he said.
ut amt with y0u." retOrted Brous-
A~lo o0arv