Carnac's Folly, Complete

d Carnac as he lighted his pipe a

Carnac. "What else is there to do? We must go on. There'

ch as to express his own feelings. "Yes, that's right, m'sieu'; that's ho

rows; his broad shoulders were stooped with the inertia of long regret; his feet clung to the ground as though there was a great weight above them. But a smile shimmered at his mouth, giving to his careworn face something almost beautiful, lifting the darkness from his powerful, shaggy forehead. Many men knew Denzil by sight, few knew him in actual being. There was

that is what he had done, and of late he had watched Junia with new eager sol

d entered into her. Because it was Tarboe, the fifteen years younger brother of that Almeric Ta

g into the air, Denzil put on his coat, a

ave to march on-name of God, yes!" he repe

ing? Don't you wa

come with me I'll give you a drink o

in your little house. That's strange

m'sieu'. There ain't much

ttle house, just in front of three pine-t

ys," said Denzil as he turn

table and roomy, on which was stretched the skin of a brown bear. On the wall above it was a crucifix, and on the opposite wal

, absorbed. "That was your girl

m'sieu'," he replied, "the very best, but she

, looking Denzil straight in the eyes.

ered Denzil firmly. "She'

me out at the i

wrote it me, and I wasn't telling anyone-but no. She'd been away down at Quebec City, and there a man got hold of her. Almeric Tarboe

aw. You haven't told me, but I understand. I remember: he was found in the woods with h

lever, and he was high up, and she was low down. He talked her blind

elling me, loving me-so she died, and so he died, too, in the woods with his gun in his hand. Yes, 'twas done with his own gun-by accident-by accident! He stumbled, an

esolute, powerful man. His eyes were aflame. He was telling

because you saved me years ago when I fell down the bank. You were only fourteen then, but I've never forgotten. And she, that sweet young lady, she-she was there too; and now when I look at this Tarboe, the brother of that man, and see her and know what I know-sacre!" He waved a hand. "No-no-no, don't think there's anything e

remarked Carnac mor

her be under Tarboe's

'll never forget what you've told me about yourself. S

on my death-bed. Then I'll

l," remarked Carnac with emot

whether he died by accident, or died-as he died. It's me that feels the fury of the damned, and want my girl back every hou

ll you, if you did. That

ew the truth he'd t

ay everything in his mind. "Do you

and stretched out appealing hands. "Haven't you got any sense, m'sieu'? Don't you see what y

"It can't be, Denzil. I can't tell you why yet. I'm going a

Carnac's. Suddenly, with a strange, shining light in them, he added "It will all come

-" Carna

love to her. He'll want

not strange,"