Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-09-23

eyes glittered like two beads, but for
the moment they seemed dilated with
soft light. and there was an infinite
badness In them as he looked round the
bloody field.
u am afraid we search in vain, ma
dame," and tall cavalier mounted on a
big bay addressed Nine. de Beaufort.
She nodded her head to him sadly, and
turned to the king.
1T is useless, sire, and can bear this
no longer-itis too horrible-let us go.,r'
"You are right-this is no place for
you. Roquelaure will see you and your
little friend there back, and will come
to you soon-but now have a letter
to write-just few lines to Bearn."
The king spoke with a strong southern
accent, and as he spoke leaned forward
and caressed Nine. de Beaufort's hand.
The lady with Nine. de Beaufort COM
ing nearer at this time, / recognized my
unknown madame of the outposts, who
had evidently found her way back to
her friends. But it was with bitter
disappointment that / saw her in the
company of the duchess, and evidently
in attendance on her. Madame was
nothing to me, / thought, but could
not associate her with the fallen wom-
an who was the mistress of the king.
Twas learning the lesson that love comes
on man like thief in the night, and,
unconsciously to myself, madame had
climbed on pinnacle in my heart, and
the thought that l had deceived myself
in my estimate of her moved me to sud-
den anger, and stilled the cry for help
that was rising to my lips-I would
have no help from her and her friends.
In the meantime the king was busily
engaged in writing his dispatch on a
small tablet, which he rested on the
pommel of his saddle.
AS he was thus engaged, a little shriv-
eled old man pushed his horse beside
Nine. de Beaufort. and said in mincing
tones as hard as steel: Come, madame,
your brother has met soldiers death,
and no Frenchman can hope for bet
ter-or he is safe and we'll somewhere.
Dry your tears, and rejoice at the glo-
rious victory we have Won" The duch-
ess made some answer in a broken voice,
and the king, hearing her, stopped
writing and put his tablet away.
"D'Ayen speaks rightly, though he
speaks from the head. God keep us
from more scenes like this. AS for your
brother, will not rest till there is news
of him; but now we can do no more.
Come, then-open your pretty eyes and
we will go-there is much on hand"
was hot-headed fool and furious in
those days, and l set my teeth together
grimly as they made ready to start,
swearing l would rather die than make
the slightest signal for aid. They rode
past quite close to me, Madame de
Beaufort weeping at the kings bride
hand, and his majesty sucking at a nee
tarine he had pulled from his holster.
Madame was Immediately behind, and
as she came up to me, our eyes met with
instant recognition. In moment her
cheek had crimsoned and paled, and
she reined in with cry:
'Stop-halt!"
They had all surrounded me now, and
heard quick orders given.
He is past mending," said d'Ayen,
bending over me from his saddle, "a
gentleman, too, it seems. Let him lie
there-he will die very soon, poor
devill"
Mon Dieu! Mol" broke in the Ouch.
ess, and madame looked at the speaker
with cold contempt.
He is the only man living here" and
the strong accent of the Bearnais came
as from distance. "Ventre-saint-Gris
But they fought like paladins, and,
Frencbman or foreigner, he shall be
saved if it can be DONE"
"sire," said soft voice, "you are the
true king of the brave"
Then two men-at-arms raised me with
rough tenderness on their crossed
spears, and inflicted on me in their
kindness the most infinite torture. The
king himself pressed flask of wine to
my lips. and, as l drank. greedily, two
cool hands held up my head. Then we
moved on slowly, madame refusing to
ride, but walking by my side, and sup
porting my burning head.
(To be continued)