The Carbon County news. [volume] (Red Lodge, Mont.) 1924-1931, 1928-02-09

This was the first time he had had to
argue with one and the conquest was
promising.
"Come on, beauty, it's time for a
kiss" he whispered hoarsely with his
mouth very near to Manon's lips.
With all her might she pushed at
his face with both hands and scream
ed. But this did not prevent too
strong arms from circling her waist
and drawing her close.
By this time Manon's strength was
gone and sobs of fright and hysteria
shook her whole body.
x
Up in the attic room when Lescaut
had promised to keep an eye on his
rebellious sister he was not making
an idle threat. She was too valuable
to become lost or stolen again. Thus
it was that, unknown to Manon, Les
caut lurked in the shadows when she
started out alone from the pension and
he followed at a safe distance. He
wanted her to get a taste of being
alone on the streets of Paris. Accord
ing to his idea it would be the best
thing in the world to put her in the
proper state of receptiveness to his
plans. But Lescaut had no idea of per-
hitting Manon to become soiled by
her contact with sordid deality-the
Comte preferred her as she was, not
as she might become if left on the
loose without funds and protector.
Lescaut saw Manon carried into the
cafe, but he waited just long enough
for her to appreciate his interference
before making an appearance.
His entrance was most timely. Ma
mons strength had given way and the
bully's loose lips were within an inch
of her own when Lescaut roughly
took him by the arm and spun him
around. Surprised at this interference
the man cursed and made known his
willingness to fight it out.
A purse of jingling gold Louis was
forced into his fist as Lescaut explain
ed, 81 would appreciate your gener-
osity in giving her up. She happens to
be my sister and I must take her
home"
Modified by the gold and its
promised pleasures the man relin-
pushed his tempting prey.
Almost dead from fright, Manon
chung to Lescaut for protection and
support. 1t seemed that the expe-
riences of the last few hours must
have been a nightmare, although Ma
non knew that they were not, she
could hardly wait to gel. out of that
horrible cafe.
Realizing that she no longer made
any resistance about going with him,
Lescaut led her triumphantly through
the center room toward the outside
door.
They passed a man with his head
buried on outstretched arms, but they
did not look in his direction; if they
had, Manon would have recognized
L dUlSI. nv CA pldildIlOlS WOulu nave
been necessary and she would have
remained with him, even in that ter
rible place, rather than accompany
Lescaut to the Comte's gorgeous man
sion.
1t seems strange and wrong that
when two people loved as truly as
Fabien and Manon that theirli We
Fabien and Manon that their lives
should be wrecked and miserable as
result Of their passion.
Fabien stayed at the lonely table
until his dazed condition had been alb
sorbed in sleep.
When he went out into the early
morning his pockets were empty. But
he was saved the anguish of knowing
that Manon had been very near to
him during the night and was by now,
very much against her will, establish
ed as the Comte De Ravoir's pampered
mistress.
ITO be continued.)
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