The Crittenden press., 1920-02-27

talking OF going away. That's why
came"
He saw her start. then control her.
self.
I'm forty years old" said I.afp. and
conscious of the lneptness Of the be
ginning. hesitated. I'm forty years
old" he continued. Not old enough
TO he your father. mademOiselle hut
old enough TO he sort Of uncle,
though amt got your education. That
don't matter It's experience that
counts, md knowledge OF the world.
And seen II good bit more Of life
than You, mademoisele.
II seen enough to learn one thing.
and that Is that misunderstanding ARE
the cause Of nearly all the trouble In
the world. When Mr.. Askew come
here ] wasn't altogether too much
pleased. I'd been meshed into the
crooked work that Morris and Mon.
sieur Brousseau was doing with the
seigniory lumber. Then when got
TO know Hilary Askew | saw that he
was clean straight through"
He let his hand fall lightly on the
girls shoulder. The gesture. which
might have been an offense In some.
was instructive. and. like most In.
stinctlve actions, fitting. Lafe. TN.
couth. unlettered, standing before
Madeleine Rosny. seemed like be-
nevOlent guardian.
when he came to like you ! was
glad" continued Lafe. "But when you
came TO like him was just about as
happy as when was leading Clarice-
my wife, Inean-Out of the First
Methodist church nt ShOeburyport,
Mass, on August II, 1902. with her
white veil hiding her, and theil orange
flowers she was carrying scenting up
the place not quite so glad. may
be. but not far shy Of It. And you
think he wasn't true to you? What
man In his senses wouldn't be?"
Il won't hear you!" cried the girl,
summoning her defiance to her aid.
"He should have spoken for himself.
What right have you to speak for him.
sent or unsent?"
"Why, l thought I'd explain that.
mamzelle. just because I'm his
friend" said Lafe. ut amt true. Not
word Of that story's true. I'm going
to tell you the truth. But first I'm 20.
Ing to say what l got to say. because
it's true. You haven't acted rightly
toward him-no. you haven't. man.
zelle!"
The passionate gesture, the sincerity
Of his tone dominated her. She tried
to find her voice and could not; she
tried to find indignation and could not,
I'VE went to Ste. Marie together ia
see conditions there. to see what
sort Of place Simeon Duval was run.
ming. The girl was there. II was the
night Of the raid, and we helped hei
away. She got home. and her father
never knew, Little Baptlste knew. and
others who'd seen her with us. They
told Brousseau, and he started those
lies about Mr.. Askew. who never knew
about it-never knew anything.
THAT fellow Pierre, Brousseau's
man, had his eye on the girl You know
the sort Of work he's done along this
coast. Maybe you don't. but It's devils
work, mnmzelle, and he and Leblan'
lured Marie into " boat by means OF
their decoy, Nanete Bonnat, and TOOK
her to the island. We found them
there, and saved her. and brought the
girls back. That's all. Now you
know. Now you understand how
you've done Hilary wrong. II you
don't believe me-" Lafe continued dog.
gedly, "just tell me how much you
don't believe, and I'll prove 1t. I'll
prove every word; you don't have 70
take me on trust"
'Do YOU think am capable Of seek.
Ing evidence that man Is true IA
me?" cried Madeleine. do you think
| am going into st. Boniface to pry
Into your friends actlons?'
"You love him. mamzelle," said Lafe,
with patience that would not be
thwarted. II can read that In your
face. You love him. and you've done
him wrong. Well. mamzelle. you
can't lie down under that. You cant
bear It. You've got TO right It."
She burst into helpless tears. ",
hoped that he would come to me-" she
whispered.
Hillary Askew amt that kind OF n
man." said Lafe.
"Hle refused To defend himself"
He'd promised Marie to say moth.
Ing"
Let me pass. have heard YOU"
But Lafe stood In the way. You're
going TO tell him It's oil right" hr said
"rll arrange II So II won't hurt youi
pride, II that's worth keeping"
"How dare you insult me1 Let hin
come to me! Let him come ant
pleadl"
"Mnmzellew
81 shall never 60 to him."
And LNfe had reached the end. III,
outraged justice had led him 10 the
gonl; hut 1t was the wrong goal. II,
wns helpless, he was beaten. III,
stepped aside, and she rnn past him
hurrylng up the stairs, whose fade,
carpet was held by tnrnishcd rod,
that cleaned between her moving feet
Lafe looked along the gloomy hal
nj the portraits In their gllt frames
and he felt the unrpnsonng, stubborn
Ensny spirit that looked out " IN,
eyes If cuch. NJ II had looked out y,
Madclclnc's and spoken by her. Ant
II had met such another spirit In III
ury.
~ guess you're wrong nll Of YOU
lnfc muttercd II guess YOU manu-
fNcmrcd your cole and thought II wm
breeding and pride. aud you cunt he'll