Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1920-03-26

to Improve. There WINS every nren-
hood now of being able to carry on
through the winter. Brousseau had
showed no signs or further lnserfer-
enee with his men. and there was even
the possibility Of getting cut another
small load.
Hilary had sent Nanatte home 10 Sc.
Joseph. She had promised 10 write 60
him. but. as 30 had expected. he had
not heard from her. Baptiste had
thrown up his position with Dupont
and gone into the ste. Marie limits TO
trap. Marie Dupont avoided Hilary;
ne had not seen her since the day o.
their adventure.
AS for Dupont. whatever he knew.
he showed no signs. And things seemed
to settle into equilibrium. though Hfl-
airy was sure that n den0uement was
90 follow. no could only walt pa
tiently for that. No action could come
from him. He could NOT violate bis
pledge TO Marie IN order to secure him
self with Madeleine
Then came the news which stunned
| Hilary out of his mental apathy. Mad.
elelne was 30 marry BTousseau. II
was to be In three weeks--at Christ
mas. and tho banns had been read In
church that Sunday morning for tho
i tirst time.
What had happened was this; The
Selgneur had not given hts daughter
any sign OF remembrance Of the events
that had transplred Immediately be-
fore his stroke. though he was IN other
respects normal. save for the paFaly-
sis Of the left side. but as the weeks
went by ne grew more and moro
nervous and depressed. until ona night
he hlurtod out:
"whero win yen take mo after the
estate changes hands9 cannot re-
main 10 sc. Bonifaee. nor can remain
with you and the American. ann too
old 20 80 anywhere but to the grave"
30 he had remembered all the time 1
Madeleine put her arIna about his
neck, II Mm not going to marry Mon.
sieur Askew." she answered.
Then, without warning. tho old
SeIgncHr fell 10 crying and laughing.
as II a tremendous load Of care had
been lifted from hla shoulders. The
land. which had meant 10 much 20 him
all hts life. now seemed to be- CveTy.
thing. and he interpreted Madcieine's
answer 10 indicate her Willingness 90
marry Brousscau.
"wcil. why notT' mhe thought with
intense bitterness. ~ she listened.
"TIave I any other duty now. save 10
ms fatherfs
she never doubted her Judgment az
Hilary. The story bad been dInHcd
. into her ears by Rronasoau since I'LL.
. ary's Girst visit 10 Ste Marie. She had
heard IL from tFadesmcn'a wives, the
poatmlstFcss. until their attachment
was known. then had come silence
I and furtiveneRs. And she had scorned
70 think Of lts possibility until that
night.
and ahe had given him hla chance
and ne had said nothing
|. She accepted tho situation and sal
. down and pCnned a short. formal Bot
ter to HFousseau.
He came the next day. driving fu
rlonsiy up to the Chateau. lie thrust
Rohltmlllc ont of hI@ why ana pushed
. Into tbs living room, where be found
Madeleine, deRthiy white. seated nl0ne
waiting for him. lie opened his arms
. 10 embrace her.
ssit down. Edouard." enc sald With
, chilling apathy. II am going 10 faih
frankly 20 you. You wish 70 marry
| mHT.'
u want ron for my wife" aid
BronRsfau. "Y0n know that. Y0t
know ! don't think anything ~ thaI
!. affalr"-Aindeicine winced AZ tha weird
but he aid not notice it.-'wlEh Mon
sieur Aakew. The mans aeoundrol
! a thief. end i liheFtine-"
Il do not Wish 20 hear that. mon
aleur," said Madeleine peremptorily
= sDlabIe. that's natural enough an
NO that'a forgotten" Bronageau coal