The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1899-03-23
CHAPTER Y.
AN OLD FRIEND.

was not the man to neglect Sully's
Warming, and, besides, there was an
added reason for being careful Of dark
corners, as both Zamet and Lain knew
me, and were unlikely to lose any OPP
portunity of doing me harm that might
come their way. could do nothing but
wait and exercise patience until the
month was over, and it was a hard
enough task. Beyond my daily visits to
my ordinary, | went nowhere and saw
no one. l occasionally, of course, met
my landlord and his wife; but few words
passed between us, and Jacques had be-
come marvelously taciturn, so that l
was alone as if were in desert in that
vast city, where the roar of the days
traffic and the hum of voices seemed to
vibrate through and possess the stillest
hours of the night. Doubtless there
were men of my acquaintance in Paris;
but did not seek them, for the reasons
already stated, and lived as secluded
life as though had taken the vows of
a hermit.
In the meantime was more than
anxious that jacques should execute my
plan in regard to Marie. That l felt
was debt of honor TO myself; but
though l tried the threat of dismissal
he refused to go point blank, and | was
| weak enough to allow him his way. It
was one of the many instances in
which my firmness of temper failed,
but it is not possible for a man always
| to keep his heart in Milan corselet.
could not make out Sully'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
| n cat does a wounded mouse. To save
my own skin by quitting Paris was
thought | can honestly aver that never
came to me. II could not with the all
pervading presence of my love for ma
| dame. 1t was for her sake / was here,
and for her sake ! would go cheerfully
to the block II need be; but it would
not be without try TO save her, and if
the worst came TO the worst ! should
let all France know the infamy of her
| king.
My doubts in regard to madame's
| safety were set AT rest about three
weeks after my interview with Sully.
One evening Puntin knocked at my
door. and, on my bidding him enter,
came in with many apologies for dis
turbng me.
But, chevalier," he added, II have
news that monsieur will no doubt be
glad TO hear"
Then let us have il, Maitre Pantin,
for good news has been 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 Narenne."
Ihalf turned for a moment TO the win
dow TO hide the expression of JOY on my
face / could not conceal otherwise.
Were it daylight 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" l
said. as looked round once more,
Though Paris would be dull for
madame"
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- titre
at the Louvre. Ciell How many of
them there have been from poor La
Fosseuse to the d'Estrees."
"Maitre Psntin, forget myself Will
you help yourself to the Frontignac?"
"A hundred thanks, monsieur lie che
valier. Is there any message for Palm
! Pouf! But forget. What has a hand