The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-09-12

worthless cause, and that I could do
no more, as 1 was leaving France at
once. Mechanically I stretched out my
hand toward the tags of ribbon on the
table, and my fingers closed over them.
What was l to say? l could not an
swer Palm. Through the now darken-
ing room I could see his earnest fea-
lures turned toward me for reply, and
behind it there moved in the shadow
the dim outline Of a fair face set in a
mass of chestnut hair, and the violet
light from it's eyes seemed to burn
through my veins. My tongue was
stilled and l could say nothing. AT
length he spoke again.
DO I gather from your silence that
you have failed?'
''No-not so-but little or nothing
could be done, as the king has only
just come, and then" I stopped.
And then-what?'
TT seems that madame has changed
her mind
81 Go not follow you. Do you know
what you are saying?" His tone was
ccldly stern.
My temper began to rise at this. [
put down the ribbons and said, Yes, L
think 1 do, or else Why has madame
come to Paris, and what IS this story
I hear about a Monsieur de GOmeron?
If that is true it ends the matter"
I got up as I spoke and began to
pace the room in my excitement.
Had I been twenty years younger,
Monsieur d'Auriac, would have parad-
ed you for what you have said; but
my cloth and my age forbid it. My
age, not because it has weakened my
arm, but because it has taught me to
think My young friend, you are a
fool"
81 know I have BEEN I said, bitter
ly, but 1 shall be no longer
And in saying SO, confirm yourself
in your folly Are you SO beside your
self that you condemn unheard! Sit
down, man, and hear what [ have to
say 1t will not keep you long. You
car leave Paris Eve minutes after, it
you like"
[ came hack to my seat and Palm
continued
you appear to be Offended at Mad
anne de la Bidache's coming TO Paris ?"
Il am rot offended have no right
to be-"
well, it will interest you. TO hear
that her coming TO Paris was forced.
That practically we are prisoners"
You mean to say that he-the king
has gone as far as that!'
Il mean what [ say-madame cannot
leave her hotel, except to go to the
Louvre, without his permission"
But this is infamouS"'
"In al almost similar case this was
what the daughter IF dc Coeuvres said,
and yet she died ,)uchesse de Beau
fort But are you satisfied>noW?'
II ann said in a low tone, and
then with an effort, but there is still
the other matter
You are exact:ng-you, are sure you
have right to ask that?'
Luckily it was too dark for Palm to
see my eyes turn to the targle Of
crushed ribbons on the. table, How
not tell, and after all had 20 right to
ask the question T had. and said So.
II have no right, but if it is true. it
means that the affair is at an end.
IF it is true?''
'oThen it is not" Ny heart began to
bsRt faster. {
II did not say So Remember. that
the alternative is NJ. lie Baron d 14yell.'
There is another"
and that is?"
Death" 9 50. ssEst.s,5 y ~
1--WE are Huguenots," he answered,
coldly. and believe in the word of
God. We do not kill our souls.
Great heavens, man! Tell me if it
is true or not? Do not draw this out.
In SO many words, is Nine. de la Bid
ache pledged to de Gonleron?9
Most certainly not, but Biron and
her nearest relative, Tremouille, have
urged it on her as a means of. escape.
She has, however given no answer ::
"Then de BeIin was wrong?"
eff you mean that the Compile de
Belin said so, then he had no authority
for the statement. -.
1 took back the ribbons from the
table. and thrust them into their old
resting place, my face hot with shame
at my unworthy suspicious.
Palm, I said, you were right. I
am a fool
what your father was before you at
your age"
MY father-you knew him?''
"Yes-Raoul de Breuil, sire d Auriac
and governor of Provence. We were
friends in the old days, and owed
him my life once. as did also Henry
the Great, our king and master, il:
the days of his youth.
:And you never told me this?''
house of Auriac my life twice over,
and I recognize in this, as in all
things, the hand of God. Young man.
I have watched you, and you are
worthy. Be of good courage" He
stretched out his hand and grasped
it in silence.
See here" he continued, Il have
come to you like thief in the twi
light, because have that to say which:
is for you alone. 1t is useless to ap-
peal to the king. Our only chance is!
flight, and we have no one to rely or
but you. VIII you help us-help
madame?"
ready said so? Am I not ready to die,
if need be, to save her?'
You are now he said, but 1 will
not press that point. Then we, or
rather I, can count on you?'
ITO the end of my sword but does
not madame know of this?"
Not yet Should it fall through
there would be only another bitter
disappointment for her. 1t is, NOR