The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-07-08

NJ LIE MARQUIS LEADS HIS HIGHEST
TRUMP.

was mounted and De Clermont was
standing 70 assist me TO my horse. 1t all
seemed so strange after the crisis OF last
night. had not schooled myself. / had
not had time TO meet DE Clermont with
unconcern. and. overcome by a sudden
shyness, / declined his aid, and he said
in his COOL level voice:
'You are very proud this morning"
The touch OF proprietorship in his tone.
(which he so often used toward me and
TO which had hitherto submitted, Jared
on me now and In moment my courage
had come back. looked him full In the
face and answered:
1T is necessary to be proud sometimes,
monsieur"
Our eyes held each other for an IN
'stant, and for the first time l saw in
his clear blue glance an expression OF
hesitation and surprise. and l felt that
the compelling power OF his look was
and. stepping back lifted his hat with
out a word. but ] saw the white line OF
his teeth close on his neither lip.
Then we started. and De Clermont
dropped away TO the rear OF the party,
= leaving Nine. de Termes and myself
Of last night.
II have heard Of his voice before" she
said, but never thought ii was any
thing like that. ST. Siege.' and she
gave little shudder. Il am an old
woman but IL was maddening. / for
got everything. ] could think OF notn-
ing except that sorrow in that last verse
1.-The poor man, the poor mani" And the
dear old lady's eyes filed once more with
tears at the recollection. but II was
not good song" she went on in a mo-
ment. 1T was beautiful evil
thing, and he shall sing II no
more. / will speak 10 him. IL is wrong.
II Is wicked to touch the heart as that
song can. He is very silent and grave
today. l wonder II It affected him as 1t
did -me2"
But / made no answer. for my mind
was full of other things--of the hope
less love In the heart that / thought so
strong and brave and OF the wondrous
power that had come over me and en-
abled me TO be victor over myself. and
] cast up an upspoken prayer that this
strength should be continued TO me. And
then found De Clermont once more by
my side.
Madame kept her word about the song.
and he said gravely:
II promise. l will never sing IL again.
IL hurts me too" And. changing the suu-
ject. other matters were spoken about. In
a little / found myself separated from
madame and De Clermont, bending for
ward, said:
II have news I should have given be-
fore, that will interest you. madame
something you ought to know-of M. de
LorEnac"
'Is il really OF Importance?
81 .a.nk So 1t will remain for you 10
decide"
''Then, what Is II, monsieur?"
II cannot well tell you here. We will
let them so onward and ride slowly be-
hind a.
agreed silently. and we soon found
ourselves at little distance from the
party We were descending the wooded
valley OF the Brance. and q turn In the
forest road left us alone. Then De Cler-
4 mont. who had up to now remained ST.
lent. began abruptly:
Madame, It has been given TO me TO
find out the business on which M de
Lorgnac Is engaged and over which you
have been sacrificed. You are a brave wo-
man, the bravest / have ever met and
j know you will bear with the bluntest
OF my speech, for this is no time 10 beat
about the bush"
Monsieur, II does not concern me on
what business NJ. de Lorgnac is engag-
ed. / only ask and pray God to give me
some refuge where / may never see him
again.
Hear me n moment. I think II does
concern you, and vitally too"
Then what is lt7''
Now, call 10 mind your race and all
that can give you strength. Denise de
Mieux. your husband is nothing more
than an assassin. lie has been hired by
the king. and that she devil. the queen
mother. 10 murder Navarro. IL is a politi-
cal necessity for them and they have
found an instrument In Blaise dc Lorg-
nae base enough for theirpurpose. His
prize was high. though. Ii was you.
Denise, and De Tavannes, who is In the
secret, has paid II. How he came 10 per-
suade himself 10 do so / know not. lie Is
your uncle and / viii not say anything
against him"
felt as II / had received a blow.
There was truth In every line OF De
Clcrmonts face. in every tone OF his
voice. but ! struggled against II and
said family:
This does not concern me. / am but
a wife In name ] shall never see De
iJorgnac. He Is dead 10 me-"
Would TO God he were dead indeedl'
he burst out. But there is more Cath
crime Is tyrant 20 her finger nails sne
has heard that you have refused 10 re-
main with your husband. and at his re-
quest an order has been sent 10 Dc
Termes TO deliver you up 20 him az Peri
Sueux. Norreys has taken that order, and
81 has already reached him.
Al eoh At1bN iitef AH'Ie - the unplCato.
You may read IL for yourself"
lie placed letter In my hands knew
the seal well, the red shield with the palle
OF the Medici--Cathcrine's private signet
But l could not read it. My mind be-
came a chaos 'Oh. what shall / do?
What shall do?" exclaimed aloud In my
despair.
Denise" he said. there Is one way
OF escape and only one. for DE Lorgnac
has already made his claim at Pergueux.
and you so straight into the lions Jaws
what Is it7 Tell me-"
lie laid his hand on my rein. Demise.
put your trust IN mo and come. NV dear,
I love you'll love YOU. This marriage r.
an infamy. Vows such as they made you
swear are not binding Come with me.
my dear. and under the banner % the en-
peror. with YOU by my side 20 help me.
VIII work out new life. and the name
Of Clermont Ferrand Is already known.
Denise, last night saw the love light IN
your eyes. Let Il burn there again for
me. Come"
He made as II 20 turn my horses head.
and II was only with en- effort that re-