Carnac's Folly, Volume 3_

you, ma

Eugene Grandois that th

d the experience on th

ng delicacies for the s

was waiting

sh she placed on the table, eyeing Junia closely. First they bowed to each other, and Junia gave

ines crossed her own. So it was she presently said, "Who are you, ma'm'selle?" in a sharp voice. As

e beauty, that her eyes were full of glamour-black and bold, and, in a challenging way, beautiful. It was a face and figure full of daring. She was not French-Canadian; yet she was French; that was clear from her accent. Yet the voice

ndeed, within, madame had spoken of the "dear beautiful stranger." That could be no other than this girl. She became composed. Yet she had a feeling that betw

Luzanne's eyes took on p

the lids half close

nia Shale?" The voice w

s understanding and conflict, for

-that's sure," Luzan

ed Junia calmly. "

kes me n

nac Grier s

u've seen Madame Grandois and the baby?" she asked with a smile, yet she felt she was about to face an alarming event. "Madame Grandois has

words, but taking up th

eard her in short frie

red again soon and spok

y three doors away, an

alk with me-ah,

t, but Junia was not dismayed, and s

g and one person to ta

n't know wh

u think you're going to marry him? . . . Don'

arnac Grier, and he has never asked me to marry

d towards the door. They were speechle

armette, an agent of Monsieur Ba

M'sieu' Barouche is a man of mark about he

ill be elected, do you?" asked

ow he

Monsieur Grier, and t

rode Barouche, and

habitant dwelling-even to the crucifix at the head of the bed, and the picture of the French-Can

o you

him. . . . You turn pale, ma'm'selle, but your colour isn't going to

Grier admit he

the law by whic

ever honestly married

ved with you-fo

hat make? I have the mar

ched he

he way you act. Isn't it a wife's duty to help her hus

d as Carnac Grier's wif

ave you told him how you're working against

like a piece of flesh and bloo

it is, signed by Judge Grimshaw that married us, and there's the seal;

f a marriage of New York State. She could have snatched the paper away, but she meant

n the wife of the candidate, and then a copy of the certificate

e to-night or to-morrow

ion comes the day

. And who will r

e's trying to defe

Barode B

o e

agreed t

n the day-Carnac b

rnac Grier

as. He says he was drunk when

t all h

d added: "Do you think anyone would believe him with the facts as they are? Remember I'm French and

c and French, and were mar

own affair,

ut of it all? If he is your husband, wouldn't it be better to have him

s-the law!" was t

id not love me, I'd use the law to be free. What's the good of trying

that," retorted

ur all, and not to Carnac Grier, what will his mind be about you? Is it money? He has no money except what he earns. His father left him nothing-not a dollar. Why do you hate him so? I

uth is, down beneath her misconduct was a passion for the man which, not satisfied, became a passion to destroy him and his career. It was a characteristic of her blood and breed. It was a relic of ancient dishonour, inherited and searching; it was atavism and the incorrigible thing. Beneath everything was her desire for the man, and the mood in which

eet him? What was the

and are only trying to hurt him out of anger. If you destroy him, you will repent of it-so soon! I don't know what is behind these

'selle?" asked Luzanne exas

to help him, and if he didn't love me I'd help him just the same. And so, I think, should you. If you ever loved him, t

w expression drove the dark light from her eye

irst met," she said at last un

thing. You threaten to declare his marriage, in the face of

e had played an unworthy part seemed sure; yet it was in keeping with his past temperament. The girl was the extreme contrast of himself, with dark-almost piercing-eyes, and a p

him would be a crime against his coun

s and defiant. The moment's softness she had felt was gone, and hardness returned

believe you'd repent of your conduct. But I believe he wil

said Luzanne sharply. "You think

r rising in the impulsive girl. "There are many who'd want to marry you, and it's better to marry some one who loves you than to hold to one who doesn't love you at all. Is it hate? He saved your life-and that's how you came to know him first, and now you would destroy him! He's a great man. He would not bend to his father's will, and so he was left without a sou of his father's money. All because he ha

hip-yes, he gave th

't know he was being married, and when you told him it was a real marriage he left you at once. You and yours tricked him-the man you'd never have known if he hadn't saved yo

spirit of womanhood was living in her- feebly, but truly, living. She was now conscious of the insa

he blue document-"he'd be safe in his election

e others besides him.-She was thinking of Tarboe. "Tell me," she added suddenly, "to

ght moment has come," she added. "He asked me for a copy of it last night, and I said I'd give

Carnac's family, and he has no excuse. If a man can't

s, with a sudden burst

t be out of public

om her breast and was about to t

t up yet, give it to me. I'll tear it up a

ngers. She felt a sudden weakness in her knees, for it seemed she held

eemed suddenly to lose self-control. She sank o

"Give it back, give it back tome," she cried, with f

t's a man's career, and you must let it go. It's t

and purpose of the girl, and she wrapp

t back. Your soul is too big for that now. You can be ha

l the truth and have it removed. You owe that to the ma

t Junia's bosom where the paper was hidden. "I will gi

for Junia, she tried to comfort her, for the girl should be got away at once, and

o hours for New York and the