Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1902-06-12
STORY for an
Hole Dour
BETWEEN TRlNKET AND RUBY
Eta Z. Garnett.

stir of more than usual curiosity
greeted her entrance, There were
whispers and knowing smiles and lit.
tie astonished shrUgs as she passed
beside De Marche down the Gallery
of Mirrors.
The king, with an odd, amused sur
prise upon him, was pleased to be
gracious, and presently, when the
dance opened, he led her out.
All was new to JacQueIine; the gay
music; the brilliant scene; the king
smile; like a flower from its sheath
she bloomed out of her conventbred
silence and timidity. Youths elias
ITCHY thrilled her veins, the rhythmic
motion was a delight; in many eyes
she read that she was charming,
and the news was sweet.
Yet for all their joyous brightness a
very pretty diffidence fingered in her
eyes, and she spoke with blithesome
naivete His majesty was en-
tranced.
And further entertainment was pre-
pairing for him. In a pause of the
dance whispers drifted outside dis
Greet bounds to his ears, thus
"Oh, plain as a slap in the face.
Madame la Duchesse is bone of con-
tention, is she not?"
So laughing, you call his ma
jesty a dog?"
But king, though he be a dog,
may not cross swords with a count;
he sends lettre de cachet, or ban
ishment."
And which this time?"
Punishment with sarcastic alter
native that he bring a wife to court"
"Ah, ali! And-presto-he brings
her!"
And dances vis-a-vis with Madame
Ia Duchesse."
"a spirited little play, on my SOUL
But, bark you, the end is not yet.
Have you looked at the little wife,"
"A tempting bit OF a witch. Ma fol,
! believe you are right She has the
two dogs in leash"
The little countess stared up at her
partner
rs it true?" she questioned like a
child in fright.
Il am most anxious to know, mad
anne answered Louis, He had shot
a fruitIess glance of fury in search of
the tattlers and turned to meet her
ewes with a laugh.
Your majesty thinks such tale
amusing?"
That depends upon the countess
Jacqueline"
His glance held smiling admiration
grown too bold, and a quick resent
ing color swept the girls face But
the music led on again and she step
ned forward to meet the clasp of her
husbands hand. She looked up at
him. His majesty, with the duchess's
fair fingers in his, peered askance to
watch De Marche meet those startled,
questioning young eyes, and swiftly
two Of the tattIer's discoveries were
Endorsed. TO king and count Madame
Ia Duchesse was become passee, For
from his wife's eyes De Marche had
looked into the kings and their
glances were the crossing Of swords.
1t was not until she was in the
sleigh going home that Jacqueline's
mute question was answered by an
other
What is IT." asked De Marche
No matter. Monsieur le Comte, /
am learning fast"
Not, | hope, to be unkind."
All. who teaches me2"
DO you give your captives no
quarter, little one?"
"Captives :" cried the girl, turning
on him passionately; "captives, that is
what you have made of us"
The king" said De Marche. dryly,
is a most fascinating man"
He is most rude man." remem-
brance striking the color back to her
cheek.
The king rude!" cried Marche,
and smiled as he bent to wrap herI
furs closer; Il must take great care
of you, little countess. There is not
such another critic in this court of
France"
1t was the business Of De Berry, I
chief of police, to know everyth'-a 2, /
and he attended to the matter as IT
as was humanity possible. Aid /
weightier affairs he found diversions
in the eclipse of Madame la Duchesse. .
He even found some sympathy in his
austere nature for the courage with
which she held up her handsome head
and the smile Of contempt that she
dealt the forgetfulness Of her late
Eorshipers. At the next salon he
sought a moments tetea.tete with
her
The Countess De Marche." he
said dts in great trouble She has
lost her betrothal ring, the great
Narche ruby Is that very bad Iuck7'
Oh extremely" she was looking
.ar down the vista OF brilliant groups.