Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-20

cried the duke.
Yes. your grace" 1 answered. again
| amazed. Il completed what grammarIans
cal the singular number by adding IL
went; whereupon-but have told you
II vient?' cried the duke and Carford
all in q breath.
III Went" l repeated, thinking now that
all Inc three had run mad. Carford screen
ed his mouth with his hand and whispered
In the dukes ear. The duke nodded and
MADE some answer. Both seemed infinitely
stirred and interested. NJ. de Fontelies had
stood In sulien silence by the table while
told the story OF our quarrel; now his eyes
were fixed intently on the dukes face.
But why" said l, that simple phrase
worked such strange agitation in the gen
tieman your grace's wisdom may discover
l am at a loss
Still Carford whispered. and presently the
duke said:
Come, gentlemen, you've fallen into
focllsh quarrel where no quarrel need have
come. Pray be friends again.
NJ de FontelleS drew himself I'D stiffiy
Il asked a promise of that gentleman and
ne refused it me-" he said.
And asked an explanation of that gen.
ieman and he refused it me-" said l, just
as stiiily.
Vel then, Mr.. Dale shall give his prom
! Use to me- VIII that be agreeable to you,
Mr.. Dale?'
I'm at your grace's commands in all
things, l answered, bowling
And you'll eel nobody of NJ de Fontel-
les asitation?'
II your grace pleaSeS. To say the truth
don't care fig for his fierceness. But thr
explanation. sir?'
Why, TO make all level" answered the
duke, smiling and fixing his gaze upon the
Frenchnan, M. de Fontelies will give his
explanation 20 me-
Il cry agreed. your grace said l. Come
let him give it,
p, TO me, Mr.. Dale, not to you" smiled
! the duke.
What! am 1 not to hear why he was so
i'erce with me?'
~ GU didn't care fig for his fierceness
! Mr. Dale he reminded me- laughing.
saw that was caught, and had the
sense TO show no annoyance although |
must confess 10 a very lively curiosity.
Your grace wishes 10 be alone with NJ
de f'onteiies?" l asked, readily and deferen-
TALLY.
Fer little while, if you'll give ms
leave he answered, but he added 10 Car
iord: No. you needn't move Carford-'
So ihaue my bow ard left them not well
pieased' Tor my brain was On the rack to
u scoVer what might be the secret which
Huhg on that mysterious phrase and which
telles. - VIC VII
Ine gist of it," said I, to myself. as
i ineu 10 the Kitchen. lies, if L am no,
;histaAen, IN the third member For when
i mac said Je viens, tn viens. the duke in
corrupted me, crying, Any more?"
hau maze Tor the kitchen, since there
:. d $500 ,.u otiier room open to me. and found
~ Tue l. TeIlcn servants of NJ
tcntelies. Although peace had been made
between Them and the host they sat i'm
deep detection. The reason was Main in Saa
IN m Two empty glasses and an empty bottle
tEat $1,000 on the table between tben,
kindiiness, aided. it may be hy apntbnr
motive. made me resolve TO cure their do
spondency. ' W"
Gentlemen" said I. in French. going I'm
10 lhem, you do not drink ~
They rose. bowling but 7 fool. a.. .h;r,
chair between them and motioned then, IN
be seated 'hehi ~
We have not the wherewithal, SIR" said
one; with wistful smile
The thing is mended as soop nc to,a >,
CRED ana calling the host, / bade hin,
ps lniee poities "A man is more at
nome with his own bottle" said l.
win the wine came new gayety and
WIN gayety flow of speech NJ de Fon-
ieiles would have admired the nuencv with
Wnich discoursed with his servants. tney
Ieiiiig me CT travelling in their country. I
land Inv ioH" ~ fis
mere are rogues enough on the way in
.G,n countries, I'll warrant 1 laughed
bat perhaps you carry hothing of great
value aud laugh at robbers?''
"Our sDol would make n roh,,er a noor
mea. sir. but our master is in a different
plight
An. he carri,s treasurer
Not in mercy. SIR" answered one rhe
hold his tongue
Come, fill your glasses" 1 cried and
they obeyed very readily
We'll. men have met their death het v,eop
mere and London often enough before now
pursued meGitatively, tw:ring my glass
OF WINE in my fingers. But with Won for
his guard NJ. de Fontelles should he Ga fa
enough
We're charged to guard him with our
lives and not leave him till he comes to the
ambassadors house"
But these rogues hunt sometimes in
" Sai1 T
lose one of your number"
re cheap. sir" laughed one The
King or France has many of u.s.
Eut II your master were the one?'
Even then provision is made"
What? Could you carry mis- message
icf II ms treasure isn't money, l must set
1t down as tidings-to the ambassador
They looked at one another rather doubt
iuiiy- But L was not behindhand in filling
their glasses.
still we should go on even without Mon
sieur. said one.
But to what end?" cried, in fegned
derision.
why, We, too. have a message"
sage?'' e'
"None better SIR" said the shorter of
the pair, with a shrewd twinkle in his eye.
For we don't understand it."
rs 1t difficult. them
Nay, it's SO simple as to seem without
meaning
What SO simple-but your bottle is
empty Come, another"
Indeed. no. Monsieur"
"a last bottle between us. I'll not be de-
MED, ard l called for a fourth.
When we were well started on the drink
ing of it I asked carelessly:
And what's your message?'
But neither the wine nor the negligence
| of my question had quite lulled their eau
ton to sleep. They shook their heads and
| laughed saying:
Were forbidden to tell that
yet if it be simple as to have no
meaning what harm in telling it?'
But orders are ORDERS and we're SOL
diers,' answered the shrewd short fellow.
The idea had been working in my brain,
growing stronger and stronger till 1t reach
| ed conviction. 1 determined now to put it
to the proof.
Tut" said I. you make pretty secret
Of it, and 1 don't blame you. But I can
guess your riddle. Listen. if anything be-
| fell NJ. de Fontelles. which God for
bid
amen, amen,' they murmured, with a
chuckle.
you two, or if fate left but one, that
one would ride on at his best speed to
London, and there seek out the ambassa-
dor Of the most Christian king. Isn't that
|