Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-04-26

manded here, but that public runner
| told me that it was the man VINO
swore to me not a fortnight ago that
his disgrace was a blessing, as it per
mitted him to cOnsecrate his courage,
his life, and his sword, to the party
to which / belonged"
At this, Nanon could no longer re-
| press a movement. which made Ca
nolles tremble, and Claire turn around.
What is that?' asked she.
Nothing: one Of the noises com
mon in this old house"
''If it is anything else" said Claire.
laying her hand upon his arm, do
not hide it from me, baron; for you
must understand from my deciding TO
come here, how important is what l
have to say
Candles wiped the drops Of anguish
from his brow, but trying to smile
said, Speak, madam
well firstly, are you ready to keep
your promise?"
ALAS, madam, it has become i'm
possible"
"Why so?"
| Because, since that time. many I'M
| expected events have occurred: many
| ties that I thought broken are renew
ed: for the punishment that / thought
| [ merited, the queen has substituted
reward, for which I am unworthy and
[ am now tied to her party by graft
| tude"
Say. 'by ambition VI. de Candles,
and I should understand. You are Of
| high birth; they have made you. at
| twenty-eight. a Northumberland and
governor. 1t is grand, 1 know: ,ut VI.
| MaZarin is not the only person who
appreciates you"
Madam, not another word, I en-
| treat"
Pardon, monsieur; but it is not now
the VicOmtesse de Cambes who speaks,
but the envoy Of the princess and
she must accomplish her mission. The
princess, knowing the sentiments you
expressed both at Chantilly and Jaul-
nay, wished to know to what party
you really belong; and I offered my
self as ambassador, thinking that |
knew best your secret heart"
81 thank you, madam" said Candles
with emotion.
''This, then, is my proposition. You
shall give up this island on one of
thee conditions. The firSt-and re-
| member this does not come from me-
is q sum of two hundred thousand
francS.'
'Oh, madam, go 10 further tt s
place has been entrusted to me by
the queen, and I will defa III 1t TO
the uttermoSt''
Recall the past, SIR said Claire,
sadly; sit is not thus that you spoke
to me before"
81 was then free; today l an rot"
''Not free, sirr' said Claire, turning
pale, what do you mean"
81 am bound ly honor
''Well, sir listen at all events"
''Of what use" said Candles, when
L tell you that [ am immovable.
Pardon me, sir, but [ also must
fulfill my mission"
ooh, you are cruel" murmured Ca
nOlles
the service of the princess, with the
rank of brigadier."
ooh, madam, do not ask me to do
what is impossible"
rs it to me that you say that sir?
I, who saw you with the pen in hand
prepared to write your resignation.
I who listened with so much JOY when
! 10 fhaf
and with all your heart that you were
going to do it. And now I only ask
you to do what you then proposed
yourself'
These words were like knife to
poor Nanon, and Candles knew it.
/ ''Then," said he, lit would have been
an act of little Importance; now, it
would be an infamous treason. l Will
never give up st. George, or send in
my resignation"
! wait" said Claire, in a softer voice;
! ''listen to the last proposition, with
which | should have commenced: for
| knew beforehand that you would re-,
! fuse the others: these are not things
| that tempt noble heart like your.
| But if you were offered in exchange
! for your resignation, which you may
now send in without blame, for, hos
| tilities not having yet commenced, it
would be neither treason nor perfidy,
but simple choice; if, [ say, a wom-
an whom you said you loved, and
swore to love alwayS-but who has not
yet openly responded she came to
you and said Monsieur de Candles,
I am free, I am rich, and love you;
be my husband, and we will go to-
gether anywhere, out of France, far
from these dissensions,' would you
then refuse"
Candles, in spite of the bushes and
charming hesitation of Claire, in spite
of the temptation, remained silent and
motionless; for he could see, far in the
deepening shade, the head of Nanon
protrude from the curtains, pale with
anguish.
ooh reply in heavens name!' con
tinued the vicOmtesse; what means
this silence? Am [ deceived, and are
you no longer the man who swore al
Chantilly that he loved me, who re
peated it at Jaulnay, who swore that
, he loved only me in the world, and
was ready to sacrifice everything
/ for me?'
A groan now made itself heard 81