Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-02-15
.WOMEN'S WAR


liz "h0 40
DC Cambes."
DO YOU know him, then"
"Pardieu, he saved my life!'
Hep
Yes, he"
How
Sup with me, and I will tell you"
II cannot, l sup with him"
"Oh, yes, he expected some one"
Yes, and as | am late, you must
permit me to 90 to him."
NO, morbleu! l will not permit it
you must sup with me, or I will SUI
with you. NJ. BiScarros, two covers
But Richou escaping, an quickly up.
stairs, and Il little hand held out tC
him pulled him into the room, and the
door was shut behind him.
Really" murmured Candles, as he
sat down to his solitary table, this is
a cursed place-some try to kill me;
others run away from me, as if | had
the plague. Morbleu! | feel inclined
to get as drunk as Il lord for amuse-
ment, or else | must beat CastOrin.
Why, they locked themselves in, as if
they were conspiring. All, donkey that
! am, and so are they, and that eX-
plains 1t all: against whom, and for
whom, / wonder; but that matters lit
tie to me, SO | will reconcile myself to
my fate. Castorin, | will eat my sup
per"
We must see what was passing in
the house of Madlle. de L~artigueS.
Marion was at that time a charming
creature, about twenty-five years old
little and dark, but with 4 brilliant
color, magnificent black eyes and 4
graceful figure. Gay on the surface
and laughing in manner, Nanon vas
far, however, from being occupied with
trifes. The gravest subjects, after be
ing weighed in her mind, took an as
pect both lucid and pleasing, when
discussed by her. No one could have
OWNED under her smiling face and
lively demeanor, the indefatigable per
severance and profound views of this
woman, or the calculating spirit and
ambitious heart. to which her beauty
served as a veil.
Nanoni came from Agen. NJ. lie
Due d'EpernOn, governor of Guienne,
NLNlN lho hdittNh illu tAsCIIOlIS IlItlt
him universally hated, soon distin-
guished this girl, the daughter of an
advocate. She long resisted his suit,
but when she yielded, it was she who
reigned in the province in his stead,
and possessed herself of riches and in
fluence. She received visits from the
Cardinal de MaZarin, and all the great
lords of the court. She took care that
everything she gave away should be
serviceable to herself. and consequent
~ acquired immense sums of money.
When NJ. d'Epernon was at last driven
from Bordeaux by the anger of the
people, Nanon accompanied him. Her
acquaintance with Candles had been
made in the most natural manner
Candles, hen lieutenant. wished to be
come captani, and wrote for that pur-
pose to NJ. dEpernon. NanOn read the
letter, and replied, appointing an inter
view; Candles chose from his family
Jewels a magnificent ring. and went to
the r~endezyous-it was less dear than
buying Il company. This was the first
time they had met: they We're both
young. handsome and clever; they con
versed but little on business and when,
soon after, Candles received his brevet
as captafn, and the ring passed from
Ids hand to that of Nanon. it was rs 4
pledge of love. and not in payment
for his promotion.
The disturbance, which had caused
the duke to retire from Bordeaux soon
commenced in Agen; and Nanon's car
riage was on one occasion overturned,
While she was driving out.
After this she retired for safety to
the obscure little village where we
have found her. and where she Aved
in retirement till the storm had passed
away. One day NJ. d'Epernon, on visit
ing her, told her that he was going
from home for a week, on which she
dispatched to Candles. by the tax.
gatheTer. the note our readers have
already heard had fallen into the hands
OF ~Cauvagnac. Ut was in obedience to
this invitation that Candles was has
tening when stopped by the Vicomte
de CambeS.
Nanon waited for Canolfes with the
impatience of q woman in love, looking
at her watch every five minutes, and
going to the window at every sound
At last she heard a knock, and ran tc
see who it was. 1t was only the sup.
per from NJ. BiscarroS. Nanon told
F~rancinette to keep it hot. and return.
ing sadly to her own room r~eseated
herself at ehe window. At last she
heard 4 peculiar knock at the back
door. and cried, "Tt is he" Shortly
after Francfnette came in, with 9
frightened look, and holding oft The
letter. Nanon seized it, and read i
with CONSERVATION; she loved Candles
but with her, ambition was a senti
ment fully as strong as love, and il
losing the Due d'Epernon she lost no
only her future, but perhaps her pres
ent fortune. At that moment four me-
approached the house, and at thei
head, wrapped in a cloak, she immedi
ately recognized the duke.
Nanon, for al instant, cast 4 terri
fed glance at the table laid for two
n thought she was lost; but immedi
ately recovering her presence of mind
took the glass destined for CANDLES
and throwing it into the garden. re
placed it with a silver goblet engrave,
with the dukes arms, and then, coll
with terror. but looking perfectly CON
posed. ran down stairs, and arrived a
the door just as Francinette was abou
to open to the knock, and whisperin
to her, ut is NJ. lie Due. and not N