Evening star., 1938-01-02
Mlosozine Section

"t09oxt0e SeeUo0 y
Trevvy had begun to walk up and down,
twirling his monocle ainlessly. l was too
much amazed by Madame Vascelles' astonish-
ing narrative to find any comment. l assumed
that Trevvy was in similar case.
"A mad story" she added. but pathetic
one, fear"
Trevvy, apparently becoming aware of the
fact that he had been walking about, sat down
again. "A fine, brave story" he said. 1T
warns my blood to hear it! You referred.
Madame, to the gentleman whom your
daughter is so unwilling to marry as the
Marquis. Might inquire his full name?"
He is the Marquis de Saint -Severac."
Indeed" Trevvy murmued.
THE name may convey nothing to you, but
the Marquis is regarded as formidable duel
ist. He is probably one of the finest swordsmen
in France
Il know him by repute," de Treville re-
turned quietly, although have never had
the pleasure of meeting him."
The arrival of a car in the courtyard
brought us all to long, low window over
grown with roses. A girl wearing white
coat got out of an open two scatter which she
had been driving, and assisted her companion,
young man, to alight. saw that his right
arm was in strappings and one side of his face
practically invisible owing to the presence of
surgical plaster. He looked dreadfully pale
but when, beside the girl, he crossed the court
yard in the direction of the entrance hall, he
carried himself stiff1y upright and moved
with soldierly step.
MY nephew, Etienne," said Madame
Vasoelles, land my daughter"
A few moments later we all met in the
library. Marcelle was nearly as beautiful as
had anticipated. She had abundant chestnut
hair and wide-open, fearless blue eyes. She
was so like miniature which had observed
upon the wall and taken to represent Madame
Vascelles in her youth that no one could have
mistaken the relationship. There were shad-
worry wrinkle disturbed the serenity of an
otherwise smooth forehead.
When presently our hostess had partially
explained the position:
"Marcelle! Marcelle!" the young man ex-
claimed. and dropped down into an armchair
staring at the girl. This is the fnish 1t rests
with you, now. Surely you are not going to
ruin your life because of promise that was
forced from you? respected your father.
none more, but even your mother will agree
with me, he was pig-headed and obstinate to
a degree. Such promise is not to be re-
spected when it involves your whole life!''
Had l known earlier of this musketeer
madness" said Madame Vascelles, but she
spoke very gently, Il should have forbidden
it. But now that it has gone so far, and you
have suffered so much, Etienne, l almost
wish that your friend -"
Had not turned coward!' the young man
cried, and sprang up, suppressing groan as
the movement disturbed the repose of his
wounded arm. "And he dared to accept the
title of de Treville!'
Trevvy, smilingly, had been looking from
face to face. Clearly, it was food and drink
to him to breathe such an atmosphere.
Ladies" he said, and included them both
in his bow, land Monsieur Vascelles, there
may still be some hope of settlement
The Marquis will never Withdrawn
Etienne exclaimed impatiently. "Only his
death could effect settlement
THAT" de Treville murmued, would be
an unpleasant method"
Charles was the best fenoer of all n-he