Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-07-16

this mad act he tries to force upon you.
! But let me thank you for your generous
words, at least. have had none spoken
to me in so long"
| There was now something more than
generosity In the poets eyes. Poet he
| must have been, for Yvonne was for
fotten; this fine, new lOveliness held
| him with its freshness and grace. The
! subtle perfume from her filed him with
strange emotions. His tender look fell
warmly upon her. She leaned to it,
! thirstily.
Ten minutes" said David, 'fs given
me In which to do what I would de-
vote years to achieve. I viii not say
| | pity you, mademoiselle; it would not
! be true-I love you. / cannot ask love
| from you yet, but let me rescue you
from this cruel man, and, in time, love
| may come. | think | have a future.
| Il Will not always be shepherd. For
| the present l will cherish you with ell
my heart ad make your life less sad.
VIII you trust your fate to met MAIDEN
'Ah, you would sacrifice yourself
From love, The time Is almost up
'You. win regret II. and desDise me-"
| Il will live only to make you happy,
and myself worthy of you"
Her fine small hands crept into his
| from beneath her cloak.
Il will trust you" she breathed. with
my life. And-and love-may not be 50
far as you think Tell him. Once away
from the power Of his ey as I may for
/ get"
David went and stood before the mar
| quis. The black figure stirred and the
hooking eyes glanced at the great hall
clock
Two minutes to spare shepherd
requires eight minutes 70 decide whether
he will accept bride Of beauty and in
come. Speak mp. shepherd, do you con-
sent to become mademoiseIPs husband.
"MademOiselle," said David, standing
proudly, has done me the honor to
wife"
We'll said!' said the marquis You
have yet the making Of a courtier in
you, master shepherd Mademoiselle
could have drawn worse prize. after
all And now To be done with the affair
as quick as the Church and the devil
will allow e.
lie struck the table souudly with his
sword hilt. The landlord came. knee
shaking. bringing more candles I'm the
hope OF anticipating the great lords
vhms. Fetch a priest said the mar
quis. "A priest; do you understandF In
ten minutes have a priest here, or
The landlord dropped his candles and
few
The priest came. heavy eyed and ruf
fed lie made David Mignot and Lucie
de Narennes man and wife, pOcketed
gold piece that the marquis tossed him.
and shufled out again into the night.
Wine, ordered the marquis, spread
ing his ominous fingers at the host.
"Fll glasses.' he said, when Il was
brought He stood Up at the head Of the
table In the candlelight, a black noun
tain OF venom and conceit with some
thing like the memory Of an old love
turned to poison In his eye, is II fell
upon his niece
Monsieur Mignot," he said, raising his
wine glass drink after | say this to
you: You have taken TO be your wife
one who Will make your life a foul and
wretched thing. The blood in her IL an
Inheritance running black hes and red
ruin She viii bring you shame and
anxiety. The devil that descended To her
Is there In her eyes aud skin and mouth
that stoop even 10 beguile a peasant
There IL your promise, monsieur poet,
FOR a happy life. Drink your wine. At
last mademoiseile. am rid Of YOU
The marquis drank. A little rrievous
cry. as II from a sudden wound. came
from the girls lips David. with his
glass IN his hand. stepped forward three
PAGES and faced the marquis There was
little OF a shepherd IN his bearing.
Just now" he said. calmly won did
me the honor 10 call me monsieur May
I hope, therefore. that ny marriage to
mademOlselle has placed me somewhat
nearer 20 you Inlet US say reflected
rank-has given me the right TO stand
more as an equal Of mouseiZneur IN q
certain little piece of business have in
my mind?"
"You may hope, shepherd" sneered the
marquis
Then" said David. dashing his glass
Of wine into the cOntemptuous eyes that
mo ked him, perhaps you Will conde.
sceud 10 fight me
The fury Of the great lord outbroks
IN one sudden curse Ike q blast from a
horn. he tore bis sword from It's black
sheath he called to the lowering land
lord "A sword there. for this Ioutt'
He turned TO the lady, with a laugh that
chilled her heart, and said: You put
much labor upon me, madame. II seems
7 must find you o husband and make
you widow In tho same night"
II know not sword play said David
He flushed TO make the confession before
his lady.
"'I know not sword play" mimlcked
the marquis shall we fight like peas
ants with oaken cudgels Hota' Fran
coils, my pistols.
A position brought two shining great
pistols Ornameuted with @arven silver.
from the carriage holsters. The mar
quis tossed one Upon the table near Da-
vids hand ITO the other end Of the
pull a trigger. Few oc them attain the
honor 70 die by the weapon OF De
Beaupertuys"
The shepherd and the marquis faced
eUcu olubI from the buQb OF the long
table. The landlord, In an ague Of terror
clutched the air and stRmmered: M NJ
Nonsiegneur. for the love of Christ not
in my house do not spill blood-it VIII
ruin my custom" The look Of the
marquis, threatening him. paralyzed his
tongue.
Coward" cried the lord Of Beauper
tugs, cease cbattering your teeth long
enough to give the word Tor US, II you
can
Mine hosts knees smote the floor He
was without O vocabulary. Even sounds
were beyond him Still, by gestures. he
seemed to beseeech peace In the name Of
his house and custom.
Il viii give the word, said the lady,
in a clear voice. She went up to David
and kissed him sweetly. Her eyes were
sparkling bright. and color had come TO
her cheek. She stood against the wall.
and the two men leveied their pistols for
her count.
"Un-deux-trols :"
The two reports came so nearly to-
gether that the candles fickered but once
The ma 'quis stood smiling, the fingers
OF his left hand resting, outspread, upon
the end Of the table. David remained
erect, and turned his head slowly, search
ing for his wife with his eyes. Then. as
a garment falls from where It Is hung,
he sank crumpled, upon the floor.
With a little cry Of terror and despair.
the widowed maid ran and stopped above
him. She found his wound, and then
looked up with her old look Of pale
melancholy Through his heart" she
| whispered "Oh his heart"
Come" doomed the great voice of the
/ marquis, "Out with you to the carriage