The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1920-03-20

ioNeu you, Hilary, but because of hi
sense Of duty. He thinks 1t is nv dut
10 sacrifice myself for the seigniory
lhere Will be no more trouble wit
your Workmen, now that they know
you are our friend. But, Hilary,
can't bear to have the old, bad feelin
Dack again. Give me up, dearw
lie laughed and put his arm abou
her. Il can't believe he will hate M
forevermore, just because | want #
take you away from him No, dear,
snail tell him, but not today perhaps
You see, with less than three month
before US, we can't drift any longer"
She sighed. Il suppose you ar,
right Hilary" she said. But then
what will happen to us?"
is the interest very much?"
1T Is not the interest, Hilary. 1t II
the principal. Hilary, 1t is a hundred
and fifty thousand dollars"
Hilary looked glum. There was M
chance Of raising that amount any
where. And it was his turn to de
spair
Are you sure" he asked, that the
sacrifice is worth your while? / fee
like thief, to rob your father ant
you, unless you are sure"
And 1t was her turn to be hopeful
L am sure that / 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
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
Gust him from his timber rights? Why
did he not balk at murder?
He preached this subject with Ma
deleine, who looked at him in wonder.
Il never thought of 1t in that way"
she answered slowly II thought it
was just-just because he sensed that
we were going to care for each other,
and so wanted you away"
ut may be So" unused Hilary. "But
somehow l fancy there must be a
deeper reason"
10 cfo
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, l 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. / 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 your"
Without answering him, Hilary |
turned to the Seigneur IF Monsieur |
business is with me- no
doubt you and Mademoiselle Rosny
will excuse u.s." he said.
1T amt with YOU" retorted Brous-
seau, scowling. Il 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,
the Seigneur again. "And
t amt private. Private? Diable, it's
90 public, It's made me the laughing
stock of st. Boniface, and Ste. Marie
90. Every ones seen Mademoiselle
1osny riding and driving with me.
Now she says she won't have any
more to do with me. Why? Have /
Aip,t 7 fhp man always
vas? When / make a bargain l stick
O it,"
Monsieur Brousseau," protested the
,eigneur, 1--WE Rosnys do Lot break our
hedges. Whatever my daughter has
ontracted to do will be done. But this
] hardly the occasion, or the man
En-"
81 know it amt" said Brousseau,
ubsiding; and Hilary felt Medicines
and, which had gripped his arm tight
' to restrain him, relax It's tension
Maybe l forgot myself. l don't want
} be anything but gentleman in the
resence of ladies, but It's hard,
[onsieur Rosny, when everything's as
God as settled, to have it put back
the melting-pot. Meaning you, Mon
eur Askewp he continued, sneering
ITO Hilary's face. That's where you
,me into this business. When people
, st. Boniface began to talk about
here having thrown me
rer for him"-he was addressing the
= roip-ait,c mora than Hoch