Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1920-02-13

So they resolved to speak no more
about it, 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 grasping hands.
There was one thing that had puz-
zled Hilary for long time and now
it stayed in his thoughts and would
not leave him. Why was Brousseau
willing to spend unlimited money to
oust him from his timber rights? Why
did he not balk at murder?
He broached this subject with Ma
deleine, who looked at him in wonder.
Il never thought of it in that way"
she answered slowly. 81 thought it
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
somehow I fancy there must be a
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
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-
neur, turning to her. you will ex-
cuse US, am sure, Monsieur Askew,"
he added to Hilary
"Now shouted Brousseau. 'It will
be just as well that your friend the
American shall understand the situa-
ton. 1 am a plain man, and 1 speak
without concealment to any one who
cares to listen. So you have been i'm
plicating me in your troubles with
your men, eh, 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 a plot on my part
to murder you?"
Without answering him, Hilary
turned to the Seigneur eff Monsieur
Brousseau's business is with me, no
doubt you and Mademoiselle Rosny
will excuse u.s." he said.
''It 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
addressing the Seigneur again. "And
it amt private. Private? Diable, it's
too public 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 to do with me. Why? Have
changed? Amt I the man I always
was? When 1 make a bargain 1 stick
to it."
Monsieur Brousseau," protested the
Seigneur, 1--WE Rosnys do Lot break oul
pledges. Whatever my daughter ha.
contracted to do will be done. But thi:
is hardly the occasion, or the man
ner@
ST know it amt" said Brousseau
subsiding; and Hilary felt Madeleine
hand, which had gripped his arm tight
ly to restrain him, relax its tension
Maybe 1 forgot myself. I don't wan
to be anything but gentleman in tn
presence of ladies, but it's hard
Monsieur Rosny, when everything's a
in the melting-pot. Meaning you, Mon
sieur Askew!' he continued, sneerin
into Hilary's face. "That's where yo1
come into this business. When peopl
in st. Boniface began to talk abou
Mademoiselle here having thrown m
over for him"-he was addressing tn
Seigneur again-''it's more than fles
and blood can stand"
, The Seigneur looked pitifully dis
tressed. His face, flushed with resent
ment at Brousseau's insolence, wa
nodded into impotence by conf1ictin
q impulses. He stepped forward.
81 am sure, gentlemen, that ther
7 exists no cause for disagreement" b
. said. Monsieur Askew is entirel
guiltless of what you suggest. Pleas
!, remember, Monsieur Brousseau, ths
= he is my guest. Madeleine, my dea
I I suggest that you and Edouard hav
a quiet talk together. know that yo
hold your word as sacred as we Ro
n nys have always held our word"
Madeleine was as pale as death, br
, she stood forward bravely. 81 neve
4 4 pledged my word to you, Monsieu
4 Brousseau," she said in a low ton
"You know it. You asked me to b
q your wife and 1 refused. You took
good deal for granted. You took m
n for granted. You made a mistak
When you treacherously conspired |
i cut Monsieur Askew's boom, when yo
q planned his death, you lost whatevt
IS chance you had ever had. shall nevt
n marry you.''
h Brousseau staggered backward, can
d ing at her in incredulity, in fear,
er fury, his own face whittier than her
e The Seigneur sat down in his cha
is heavily, seeming to collapse there.
y Then Brousseau flung his fear asit
Y. and laughed, and it was the most ey
h laugh that Hilary had ever heard. E
W addressed Rosny; and as he spoke ]
/ continued to advance toward him, u
lg til he was shaking his fist in the O
Seigneur's face.
ut II understand now," he sneere
le ''Thfs fine American has been at wol
to in this matter. It is he who has be-
/ spreading these lying stories abo
IS. me. 1 don't blame your daughte
rs Rosny. A woman is easily influenc,
y by new face. Sos a man, for tn
re matter.
- Il don't blame her. expect =
wife to be true to me after we're ms
ried-no more and no less. I'll ta
is care OF the love. I amt hard me