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tants to take the oath, insisting on the removal of all from the province.

A more cruel edict never went forth from a tyrant. No wonder Longfellow's heart was SO touched by the scene, that his facile pen produced the sweet, sad, immortal story of "Evangeline.” The execution of this cruel measure speedily followed the utterances of the opinions of the chiefjustice. A general proclamation was at once issued ordering all the Acadians, "old men and young men and lads of ten years of age," to assemble at designated places on the 5th of September, 1755.

Monsieur De Barre had not heard of the edict, and on this morning stood with his son in blissful ignorance of the fact that he was gazing on the last sunrise at Grand Pre.

Jean, have you made up your quarrel with Captain Winslow?" asked Monsieur De Barre. "No, father; he has not apologized.'

"I am sorry you fought."

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Why?"

He is a bad man. He comes of a good family; yet many a bad man comes of a good family." "Can he harm us, father?"

With a sigh Monsieur De Barre answered:

66 We know not what power he may have. The English are the conquerors of Acadia, and the

Acadian can hope for little sympathy among them, especially since they covet these fertile lands."

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Father, you really seem alarmed!" cried Jean. There was something in his manner really menacing."

"Have no fears of him, father," the young man responded with all the assurance and hope of youth. "He is powerless to harm me. I vanquished him once, and I doubt not that I can do so again, should the occasion demand."

"Who is he coming across the field?"

"It is Monsieur Dupre.'

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An old man was seen coming across the meadow. He was a typical Acadian, with short blouse, broad hat and knee breeches. His long hair hanging about his shoulders was made the sport of the wind, while his face was expressive of alarm. The golden-rods, which nodded their gayly plumed heads in his path, and the small birds which twittered before him in flocks, were unseen and unheard. Monsieur Dupre was engaged with too serious matters to enjoy the birds and flowers, lover of nature as he was.

"Monsieur De Barre! Monsieur De Barre!" he cried, almost out of breath.

"What is it, Monsieur? What has gone amiss?" asked Monsieur De Barre.

Monsieur Dupre sank down upon the bench

which extended the full length of the piazza and clasping his face with his hands gasped for breath. Father and son gazed on the old man with some degree of alarm for a

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moment, when Monsieur De Barre asked:

"What is it, Monsieur Dupre? Your conduct

alarms us."

"Have you not

heard?"

"Truly, we

have heard noth

ing."

"Wait until

I regain my breath."

For several mo

ments the mon

sieur breathed

heavily and then said: "Do you know that the chief-justice has decided that we have forfeited all our possessions in Acadia?"

The father was unmoved, while his son stood with bosom swelling with indignation. Neither spoke; but Monsieur De Barre remembered the malignant look on the face of Captain Winslow. Jean said nothing. The old man still sat upon the

bench panting for breath, while he turned his eyes toward Monsieur De Barre on whose wisdom and judgment he put great reliance. He breathed hard, for he had not fully recovered from his exertion.

"Is that all?" asked Monsieur De Barre calmly. "No."

"What more is there?"

The old man was amazed at the coolness of Monsieur De Barre. He had known this man for more than twenty years, and in all that time had never known his cheek to flush with enthusiasm or his eye to kindle with excitement. While Jean was almost bursting with indignation, and their visitor was nearly speechless with excitement and dread, Pierre De Barre was as calm as if there were nothing alarming in the information. Monsieur Dupre did not answer him at first, for he was lost in wonder and amazement at the man's coolness, and Monsieur De Barre again spoke:

"What more have you to tell, neighbor?"

""An order has been issued for all the male Acadians, old men and young men and lads of ten to assemble at Grand Pre on this very day." Jean started with an angry exclamation; but the father was silent, and his placid features were as inexpressive of emotion as if they had been carved out of stone. Jean thought of Adrianne, the coming

wedding, and, turning to his parent on whose judg.

ment he so much relied he asked:

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Why doubt it?”

"It seems impossible."

"You do not know the English as I do." "What is the intent of this gathering?"

"My son, you can prepare to leave Acadia." The young man gnashed his teeth in despair and cried:

"Would to heaven we had retained our arms and sold our lives in the defence of our homes. Let us die rather than yield."

The stern, mild gaze of the father fell on the young man, and he said:

Nay, nay, my son; be not foolish."

(6 What must we do?"

แ Bow our neck to the yoke."

Then the lover thought of his coming marriage and said:

"I will have that over before the gathering at Grand Pre."

He started from the house, passing through the gate and hastening down the road. His father's house stood in the suburbs of the town of Grand Pre, while over half a mile further was the home of the widow Blanc. The path which led to the cottage was through the sumach, in places fringed

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