Evening star., 1901-12-07

and have lost it; L own to it, 1t was an
accident 1t slipped from my pocket and
fell here somewhere. and any breeze might
nave blown 1t anywhere-and now let me
go. L Shall stay here no longer
She stood at bay, splendid creature, her
dark eyes flashing through the night The
card. .s.. --..-
''Eh bien! Mademoiselle! We do not
seek to detain you. We will do the search;
but let me tell You as friend that the mo-
ment you go back you will be arrestedv'
Arrested!' said she and de Lorgnac In
the same breath, r. -.
Yes" l went on, eoolly. ARRESTED
that is the word. MademoiselIe. YOU are
very unfortunate in losing things You rec
ogniZe this? You lost it today, or this af-
ternoon rather. across the river
With this pulled out the kerchief and
showed it to her. Lorgnac was looking at
me in blank amaze; but for the girl, she
| made no answer, but stood there, white as
sheet, and 1 could hear her breathing
| thick and fast
"Mademoiselle! You have forgotten how
| long the arm of God is. You were seen this
| afternoon at an inn called the Chapeau
| Rouge with Chantonnay. You there made
your bargain with him. How he persuaded
you to be a traitress-what your price was
| for your shame, l know not, nor care to
| know. But you made your bargain, and on
| your way back you dropped this kerchief
she began to sob now and cry. The tears
| were real enough this time, and 1 believe
she would have fallen had not Lorgnac
| supported her.
DE Beseme. De Besmev' he said, his
tender heart melting. Remember she is a
| woman.
Yes; and I want her to remember it.
| too. Mademoiselle, you are young and
| strong, and beautiful-too beautiful for the
| rack
'Oh, have pity-have pity!' she gasped :;
and now l changed my note.
| Mademoiselle, you see that little cloud
! passing across the moon? Before 1t crosses
L must have that letter in my hands If
| not, you know what awaits you"
Lorgnac had stepped aside from her, and
| we all stood gazing at each other. The lit
| tie cloud had darkened the moon, so that
| for moment 1 could not see the girls
| face, half covered with one hand, while the
other was ciutching at her neck She was
nghting with herself; hundred emotions
| were at play within her. But I was sure
| of my game now. and at last the end came
| Mademoiselle, the cloud has nearly pass
ed. Give me the letter and you are safe.
| If not
With low cry she thrust her hand into
| the bosom of her dress, and pulling out The
| letter, handed it to me, with whispered
| Take it, and as my fingers closed over
| 1t. | heard Lorgnac's deep:
Thank GodH'
| We returned as we had come, and re-
gained the queens apartment AS we en-
| tered she came running to meet us
| "The letter. she cried
Madame! And placed it in her hands
Sne looked at us two for a moment
mademoiselle had staid in the ante-roon1-
| ana she was about to hand the letter TO
DE Lorgnac, when he pointed to the tall
wax candles that burned on the table.
| Madame, he said, there is fire there
ana 1t leaves no trace She made no an
| sWer, but held the letter over the candle
| and as it leaped into flame. cast if into ~ q
fireplace, where it burnt to a cinder.
And then we kneit and took leave of her
| in profound sifence.H - h'i
providence or chahce-call it what von
| will-had won is the game. and if vii, ,o, ynt
be 6e matter of surprise to note that it was vas
morning and that he was unable to aoan,1s
pany his majesty to Fontainebleau.