The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-02-14
From the French BY Dora Moore.

~ n the strength Of having been
left mlraculously at the
chateau Of her ancestors. the
naughty old Afarqulse du
E1ouet would cry aloud that It was
4 disgrace to their order that the no
bles should fear the sans culottes
"ThOse dregs Of humanity" she would
say scornfully. ''were formerly our
slaves; our indulgence has made them
our lackeys. II win take more than a
generation to purge them Of their ser
vile instincts. They refuse 10 obey
because we. their natural masters. no
longer know how 10 command. Ad-
dress them sternly, In tone that
brooks no reply. and they viii con
tinue to crlnge their backs. and their
serfs blood viii iiow less quickly"
The boasts and arrogant assertions Of
the proud old Marquise alarmed me
Tor her safety. the more so that Clto-
yen Feliclen Rayaud. general admins
traitor OF the department In residence
~ Yannes. was the son Of old servants
OF the Marquise This young man was
born 10 the chateau. has played about
the kitchens. aud supped IN the sery-
ants hall untll OF an age for schooling
when Madame du Faouet had placed
him with the Oratorian Fathers at
her own expense. There be had learned
well ana quickly. and had since made
his way Ia the world without seeking
assistance from any one. His parents
dead. the Marquise had never since
seen him. and. doubtless. be troubled
little 70 testify his gratitude. Never
iheless. / imagined that Madame du
Fa0uet maintained her position and
proclaimed aloud her contempt for
those in power by the influence Of the
young Commissaire. still. knew
AAvaud's power to be limited; I knew
also that bis patience would wear out
enireated the Marquise 10 moderate
her language until better times.
''Nonsenser she would exclaim.
"Rayaud would never dare 70 defy
me- II Is my manner that imposes
upon the little lnckey when he
thinks I fear him be win presume
Jupon II. and l shall be lost
Her imprudence had the result that
had feared. Some unknown enemy
wrote 70 the comite de Salut Public.
denouncing Rayaud's elemency aud
the old arlstocaats insolence. I re-
ceived secret intelligence that a war
rant OF arrest was out against the
Marqulse. that Il had arrived at the
Municlpalile. and that doubtless when
the news would reach me Ravaud
would have Il In hand. hastened 10
The Chateau du Faouet. and. only
vaguely explaining the danger for fear
Of alarming the Marquise. begged
her % iy without delay, and without
warning her servants.
II win 60. she said: "but with my
gates flung open. with my lackeys. my
baggage. and with All my suite. And
VIII pass before the Aiunicipalite at
full gallop.'
Nainly ] protested against her folly.
I was forced at last TO tell her that
Ravaud had received warrant Tor
her arrest. and that nothing could pre-
vent his putting It into execution. Stin
she persisted.
1T is lmpossiblel The little iackey
would not darel All. we shall see"
And. summoning her suisse, she
said imperlously:
"Go to the Municlpalite. and tell the
Commissaire Ravaud that Madame Ia
Marqulsc du Faouet wishes to speak
with him. and authorizes him to come
up TO the chateau without delay"
II was not probable that the general
administrator would condescend to re.
spond 10 the madly imperlous COM
maud Of the old Marqulse. whom he
was about 10 arrest and to throw into
prison. and | was endeavoring once
more to persuade her to immediate
flight when. 10 my surprise. FellcieD
Ravaud made his appearance on the
threshold Of the drawing room. He
was handsome pale young man.
with Intelligent eyes. He came for.
ward politely. hat In hand. but with
out the slightest sign Of servillty.
Madame du Faouet remained seated
Ia the armchair close to the chimney
where the big logs were burning. She
looked at the Commissaire haughtily.
and. without asking him to be seated.
she addressed him in her usual I'M
perious tone
Unpleasant circumstances for rs
both, Monsieur Ravaud. compel me 10
recall the fact that your family were
under some obligation to me. From
the seullery. where your mother
washed up. had her raised IN grades
@ my apartments; as for your father
I forget what position he originally
held Ia my stables.v
The Marquise had. evidently expect.
ed that navaud would be hnnlliatad
and confused. and that be would 10.
1rrupt the conversation. but he list.