Evening star., 1901-12-07

trife before the Spaniard, who was a
little impeded by the crowd, and without
looking at the king began to put Pom
pom through his performance. The ape
was almost human in his intelligence, and
crowd soon gathered around us.
AS Chantonnay approa ched | made Pom
pom walk gravely up to the king, and sa-
Lutte him THE high and mighty sieur
Pompon, ambassador from Barbary, desires
audience of your majesty"
'An honor that l. too, claim in the
name of the most catholic king, my mas
ter said a naughty voice beside me, as
Chantonnay stepped up to the king. And
then there was a suppressed litter, for
Pompon turned sharply round on the
Spaniard, and began to jibber angrily at
him.
MY ambassador is explaining to mon
seigneur here that he claims precedence"
[ went on. not needing the don's black
looks; but the king turned to me angrily.
Peace! And a truce of your lll-umed
jests." And then to Chantonnay, "Mon-
seigneur! 1t is always a pleasure to hear
from my cousin from Spain. You will have
your audience with the morning. We hunt
at Fontainebleau tomorrow. VIII you ac-
company us?
Chantonnay expressed his thanks and
then begged permission to retire, as he
| had to complete a memorial he said he
| would present to his majesty in the morn
ing-a memorial as he said of vital import
| to the peace and good will of two ma
tions.
| While he was thus expressing himself
| in pompous phrase L pretended to depart
| with Pompon in a huff, secretly, how
| ever, rejoiced at having been able to vent
some of my spleen on my old enemy.
| gained my pillar once again, and as l did
| so some one pulled me quietly by the sleeve.
| 1 turned and saw young De Lorges,
| Montgomery's son, who was then page
| to the Dauphiness Mary of Scotland. His
| face was pale, and the hand that rested on
| my sleeve was trembling
| What has happened?" I Said interrupt
l ing him before he could sneak
| II do not know" he said, but you are
| wanted at once-come!' He tugged at my
sleeve once more; and without another
| word l followed him. We left the Pavilion
du Roy without notice, and then went down
| the long corridors that led to the apart
ments of the dauphin. Beyond there lay
! those Of his wife, Mary of Scotland, the
| little Queen" as she was called.
| During all this time we exchanged no
| word together, until at last be stopped be-
| fore door, and the boy turned to me.
| THE queens apartment he said; you
| are free to pass. 1 remain on guard here"
| So saying he drew his little sword, and
| pointed with it at the door.
There We're three people in the room-one
/ was Mary of Scotland, standing near a ta-
| BILE; the other was de Lorgnac booted and
| spurred as If for long Journey; and the
| third was young woman, a tall young
| woman, who was leaning against the omen
window, her face buried in her hands, and
| Sobbing bitterly. All this l took in at a
| glance as l entered, and, kneeling before
| my queen. said:
Madame! 1 have come"
She bade me rise. Monsieur" she said
| Il have come to you for help. Once before
you saved me from great danger. 1 am in
greater danger now. l want help
| Madame! All that"
| But she interrupted me, 'Lorgnac here
tells me that you know of the object of his
| coming to Paris
| Yes, madamen' And, in spite of nysclf
| my voice hardened.
| She saw the change and looked at me in
| pitiful entreaty, Monsieur, do not speak
to you as queen. but as woman
| Ah! madame! Say not a word morer' 7
| burst out. MY life is yoursr' And as
| spoke the girl at the window burst out into
| fresh weeping.
Tell me-" said, turning to de Lorgnac,
| what has happened. We waste time in
| talking If there is serious business afoot."
| The letter spoke of is lost"
| Who lost it? You?"
| He laughed harshly mo! 1t was given
| by her highness to Mademoiselle Odou
| there to deliver to me In the garden below
| the ladies' terrace. and the short of 1t is
| that the letter is gone
| In flash 1t all came to me- and I thanked
God In my heart that had looked at the
'kerchief. The o stood for Odou. I could
swear it. looked at the girl. She had
| ceased weeping as de Lorgnac spoke and
| was looking at him with flushed face and
| dry eyes. There was not tear in those
| bold black orbs. knew the type. She was
Arlesienne. and as looked at the straight
| dark brows and full, passionate mouth
understood the nature l had to deal with.
| All this went through my brain like light
| ming as, turning to her, said:
will mademolselle tell me how It vras
| she lost this letter."
| Sit down, Odou!" said Mary, kindly
! Sit down. and tell us all you know
| This brought fresh burst of sob.,inp
as mademoiselle sank on to tabouret and
| began to rub her eyes with another lirtIe
| square of embroidery, which appeared un-
| commonly like my find.
Traitressr l muttered under my breath
| but to her, And tell us of the letter.n
IL lost 1t in the garden,' she began
| and then, hesitating, went on with an ef-
fort, 1t was near the oak toward the rid
ing school," -
| Bon! Now. mademoisellel You win
please accompany Monsieur de Inrrr,,ae a,a