Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1920-03-05

down, Mr.. Rosny. I'm telling you what
1 think of him. That's what I came
here for. And If you'll excuse me for
referring to your mortgage, which
everybody knows, If he doesn't turn
that in to you by tomorrow Mr.. Askew
will sue him criminally as well as CIV
lily for what he's done to us, because
that sawed the boom for him."
Brousseau swung on his heel sud-
denly and strobe toward the door. He
turned and shook his fist at Lafe. 'I'n
pay you for this, you and that other
blackmailer" he swore.. "I'll smash
your rotten concern. I'll"
He broke off with a derisive snort
and made toward the entrance. But
Lafe strobe past him and blocked his
way.
"Just a moment" he said. "Mr.
Rosny's got something to say to you"
Brousseau tried to fling himself
past, but Lafe, standing like an iron
sentinel, completely filed the open
ing.
Monsieur Brousseau," said the
Seigneur, there are just a few words
to say before you go. When Monsieur
Connell came here he did not meet
with encouragement. He proved his
case, and you have proved it by your
actions. When you were boy I ad-
yanced you, interested myself in you.
You climbed high, and you tried to re-
pay me by ousting me from my lands
and stepping into my shoes. You
sought to dishonor us through my
daughter, who was wiser than I in her
recognition Of what you were.
thought that you were only ill-bred,
but you have proved yourself a scoun-
drel as well. You will repay me
everything you have stolen or go to
jail. Good-day, monsieur"
"That's all, guess" said Lafe, and
opened the door.
Brousseau dashed through and along
the corridor. Lafe followed him at an
interval; but Brousseau did not wait
for him. He pulled the front dool
open and slammed it behind him
When Lafe reached it Brousseau was
already dragging his horse, already
harnessed to his sleigh, out of the sta
bles.
Lafe watched him drive away anG
turned back into the hall. He hesitat
ed to return into the room, but as ht
stopped uncertainty in the corridor be
hind the entrance Madeleine came to
ward him.
"My father thanks you, Mr.. Con
nell," she said, and though the tear
rained down her face she smiled. ST
is like the lifting of a nightmare" sh,
whispered.
"Yes, mademoiselle," said Lafe. ''Bu
it was you 1 wanted chiefly to see."
"You saw me. What else is there t,
say? Mr.. Connell, if you have com,
here on any other mission it is hope
less. Why did you let him send yol
for-for that?' she continued, reading
his face.
because he's my friend" said Lafe
"But he didn't send me here. He'
talking of going away. That's why
came"
He saw her start, then control her
self.
/. 'Tm forty years DID," said Lafe. and
conscious of the ineptness of the be
ginning, hesitated. I'm forty year
old" he continued. "Not old enougl
to be your father, mademoiselle, bu
old enough to be a sort of uncle
though amt got your education. Tha
| don't matter. It's experience tha
counts, and knowledge of the world
And 1 seen a good bit more of lif
! than you, mademoiselle.
| "I seen enough to learn one thing
, and that is that misunderstanding ar
the cause of nearly all the trouble 4
the world. When Mr.. Askew com
here 1 wasn't altogether too muc
: pleased. I'd been meshed into th