The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-09-05

them, for the reasons already stated,
and lived as secluded a life as though
/ had taken the vows of a hermit.
In the meantime 1 was more than
anxious that Jacques should execute
my plan in regard to Marie. That 1 felt
was a debt of honor to myself; but
though 1 tried the threat of dismissal
he refused to go point blank, and l was
weak enough to allow him his way. 1t
was one Of the many instances in which
my frmness of temper failed, but it is
not possible for man always to keep
his heart in a Milan corselet. could
not make out SuIly's reasons for his
action. 1t seemed to me that he had
got all my information out of me, with
out pledging himself to anything in re-
turn, and that he held me as safely as
q cat does a wounded mouse. To save
my own skin by quitting Paris was
thought l can honestly aver that never
came to me- 1t could not with the all
pervading presence of my love for
madame. 1t was for her sake that 1
was here. and for her sake I would go
eheerfully to the block if need be; but
it would not be without a try to save
her, and if the worst came to the
infamy of her king The hero worship
1 had in my heart for him had given
place to a bitter hatred for the man
who was using his power to drive a
woman to ruin and inf1ict upon me
the most bitter sorrow. All this may
sound foolish, but sucn was my frame
of mind, and I was yet to know how
great the man was whom l hated-but
T..
time there was no news from Bidache,
and 1 was kept on the cross with anX-
iety lest some danger had befallen
my dear one there Anet was not three
hours ride away, and at Anet was de
Gomeron, unless indeed the conspir-
ators had scattered, as was not at all
unlikely after the manner in which
they had been discovered. My doubts
in regard to madame's safety were set
at rest about three weeks after my in
terview with Sully. One evening Pan
tin knocked at my door, and, on my
bidding him enter, came in with many
apologies for disturbing me.
But, chevalier," he added. IT have
news that monsieur will no doubt be
glad to hear"
Then let me have it, Maitre Pantin,
for good news has been a stranger to
me for long"
1T is this: Our friend Palm arrives
In Paris tomorrow or the day after"
And stays here?"
mo, for he comes in attendance on
Madame de la Bidache, and will doubt
less live at the Rue Varenne."
half turned for moment to the
window to hide the expression of joy on
my face I could not conceal otherwise.
Were it daylight I might have been
able to see the trees in the gardens
of the Rue Varenne; but it was night,
and the stars showed nothing beyond
the white spectral outline of the Tour
de Nesle beyond the Malaquais.
Indeed, am glad to hear this" I
said as I looked round once more,
though Paris will be dull for ma
dame"
mot So monsieur, for the king comes
back tomorrow, and the gossips say
that before another fortnight is out
there will be another maitresse en- tire
at the Louvre. CieH How many of
them there have been from poor La
Fosseuse to the Distress
"Maitre Pantin, forgot myself, will
you help yourself to the Frontignac?"
"a hundred thanks, Monsieur lie
Chevalier Is there any message for
Palm? Pouf! But I forget. What has
a handsome young spark like you got
in common with an old graybeard? You
will be at court in a week, and they
will all be there, bright-eyed d'En-
tragues, Mary Of Guise, Charlotte de
Givry. and"
'Maitre Pantin, these details of the
court do not interest me. Tell Palm
would see him as soon as he arrives
Ask him as favor to come here. He
said you were discreet
"And I know that Monsieur lie Che
Waller is likewise" With quick move
ment of the hand the short gray goatee
that Pantin wore vanished from his
chin, and there was before me not the
face of the notary. but that of An
nette. She laughed out at the amaze
In my look. but quickly changed her
tone
Maitre Palm said you were to be
trusted utterly, monsieur, and you see
| have done SO. Your message will be
safely delivered and I promise he will