Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-07-16
ROADS Of DESTINY
A r ~ & by special rrcn
DV W. 11L4 IN n Wheeler
Continued From Page One.)


strength upon the wheels. The driver
alone urged the animals with his IA
miliar voice. David himself heaved
| powerful shoulder at the rear OF the
the great vehicle rolled up on solid
ground. The outriders climbed to their
| places.
David stood for a moment upon one
foot The huge gentleman waved HAND.
You will enter the carriage" he said, in
a voice large, like himself, but smoothed
/ by art and habit. Obedience belonged
in the path of such a voice. Brief as
was the young posts hesitation, it was
cut shorter still by a renewal of the con-
mand. Davids foot went to the step. In
the darkness he perceived dimly the form
| Of the lady upon the rear seat. He was
about to seat himself opposite, when
the voice again swayed him to its will.
you will sit at the lady's side.
The gentleman swung his great weight
| to the forward seat. The carriage pro
| ceeded up the hill. The lady was
shrunG silent, into her corner. David
could not estimate whether she was old
or young, but a delicate, mild perfume
from her clothes stirred his poets fancy
t. the belief that there was loneliness
beneath the. mystery; Here was an ad-
But as yet he held no key to it, for no
word was spoken while he sat with his
impeIetrable companions.
In an hours time David perceived
through the WAuuOW ludi inc NShiNAN
traversed the street of some town. Then
1t stopped in front of closed and
darkened house, and position algnted
to hammer inPatiently upon the door.
A latticed window above flew wide ana
a nightcapped head popped out
"Who are We that disturb honest folk
at this time OF night? Ny house is
closed. It's too late for profitable travel
ers TO be abroad. Cease knocking at my
door. and be off
"openl" spluttered the position, loud
ly; open for Monse!gneur the Marquis de
Beaupertuys."
All" cried the voice above Ten
thousand pardons. my lord I did not
know-the hour is so late-at once shall
the door be opened, and the house placed
at my lords disposal
Inside was heard the cltnk of chain
and bar, and the door was flung open
Shiyering with chill and apprehension. the
landlord OF the Silver Flagon stood, half
clad, candle in hand. upon the threshold
David followed the marquis out Of the
carriage. Assist the lady" be was or
dered. The poet obeyed. He felt her
small hand tremble as he guided her
descent. Into the house, was the next
command.
The room was the long dining hall Of
the tavern. a great oak table ran down
its length. The huge gentleman seated
himself In A chair at the nearer end. The
lady sank into another against the wall
whit an air Of great WEAKNESS. David
stood considering how best he might
now take his leave and continue upon his
way.
MY lord" said the landlord bowling
to the floor, "h had ] ex-expected this
honor, entertainment would have been
ready Ttthere Is wine and cold fowl
Candies said the marquis. spread
ing the fingers OF one plump white hand
In a gesture be had
~ yes my lord He fetched half a
dosen candles, lighted them, and set them
upon the table
'1f monsieur would. perhaps. deign to
taste certain Burgundy-there IS
cask-"
Candies" said monsieur. spreading his
fingers.
"Assuredly-quickly- fly. my lord "
A dozen more lighted candles shone
IN the hail The great bulk OF the mar
Quis overlooked his chair. He was dressed
In fine black from head TO foot save for
the snowy ru6les at his wrist aud throat
Even the hilt and scahbard Of his sword
were black His expression WAS one Of
sneering pride The ends Of upturned
moustache reached nearly to his knocking
eyes.
The lady sat motionless. and now Da-
vid perceived that she was young, and
possessed Of pathetic and appealing
beauty He WAS startled from the con-
temptation Of her forlorn loveliness by
the booming voice of the marquis.
what Is your name and pursuit."
David Nignot. I am a poet
The moustache Of the marquis curled
nearer to his eyes
How do YOU live2"
'T am also shepherd guarded my
fathers flock" David answered. with his
head high. but q flush upon his cheek.
Then listen. master shepherd and
Na f.r bo cd
upou tonight. This lady Il my niece.
Mademoiselle Lucie De Narennes. She IS
noble descent and is possessed Of 10000
francs A year In her own right AS 10
her charms you have but to observe your
self II the inventory pleases your shep-
herds heart. she becomes your wife ~
a word Do not interrupt me Tonight
conveyed her TO the chateau Of the
Comte De Villemaur, 10 whom her hand
had been promised Guests were pres
ent; the priest was waiting; her mar
risge 70 one eligible in rank and fortune
was ready To he accomplished At the
altar this dem oiselle. 50 meek and dut'ful.
turned upon me like leopardess, charged
me with cruelty and crimes and broke,
before the gaping priest the troth I had
plghred for her. I swore there and then.
by 10000 devils, that she should marry
the first man we met after leaving the
chateau. be he prince. charcoal burner,
or thief. You, shepherd. are the first.
not you, then another. You have ten
minutes in which to make your decision
Do not vex me with wo-ds or questions.
Ten minutes, shepherd; and they are
speeding"
The Marquis drummed loudly with his
white fingers upon the table. He sank
into yelled attitude Of waiting. II was
az 81 some great house had SAINT It's doors
and windows AGAINST approach David
would have spoken but the huge mans
bearing stopped his tongue. Instead. he
stood by the lady's chair and bowed
Mademoiselle" he Eald. and he mar
yelled TO find his words flowing easily
before so much elegance and beauty.
you have heard me say ] was a shep-
herd. have also had the fancy, at
times, that ] am poet. If II he the
test If a poet 10 adore and cherish the
beautiful, that fancy is now strengthened.
Can serve you in any way, Madi-
moiseIle?"
The young woman looked up at him
with eyes dry and mournful. His frank,
glowing face, made serious by the gray
ity Of the adventure. his strong straight
figure and the liquid sympathy In his
blue eyes, perhaps. also, her imminent
need OF long denied help and kindness,
thswed her to sudden tears.
Monsieur" she said. in low tone,
"ynu look to he true and kind He Is
my uncle the brother Of my father, and
my only relative He loved my mother,
and he hates me because I am like her
He has made my life one long terror
I am afraid Of his very looks. and never
before dared to disobey him. But tonight
three times my age. You will forgive
me for bringing this vexation upon you,
BRINGING UP FATHER