Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-08-26
CHAPTER v.

| CdAl ER v.
In. LIE MARQUIS LEADS HIS HIGHEST
TRUMP
y a YHEN came down in the
wv morning, found we were
| w all ready to start. Madame
was mounted. and De Cler-
mont was standing to 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 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 sub
mitted, Jared on me now, and in a
moment my courage had come back. |
looked him full in the face and an
swered:
1T is necessary to be proud some
times, monsieur"
Our eyes held each other for an In
slant. and for the first time | saw in
his clear blue glance an expression Of
hesitation and surprise. and felt that
the compelling power of his look was
gone, and then he dropped his gaze
and. stepping back. lifted his hat with.
out 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
alone. She was full Of the strange
song Of last night.
II had heard Of his voice before" she
said, 'bu, never thought 1t was any
thing like that ST Siege" and she
gave little shudder Il am an old
woman. but II was maddening. for
got everything. | could think Of moth
ing except that sorrow in that last
verse-the poor man. the poor man!'
And the dear old lady's eyes filled once
more with tears at the recollection.
"But it was not good song," she went
on in q moment 1T was beautiful
evil thing. and he shall sing 1t no more.
| will speak to him. 1t is wrong. II is
wicked to touch the heart as that song
can. he is very silent and grave to-
day. | wonder If it affected him as 1t
did me|
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 unspoken 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:
81 promise. will never sing 1t
again. Ii hurts me too" And. chang
ing the subject. other matters were
spoken about. In little found my
self separated from madame. and De
Clermont. bending forward, said:
81 have news should have given be-
fore that will interest you. madame
something you ought to know-of n. de
Lorgnac."
as it really of Importance"
~ think so. 1t will remain for you to
decide"
"Then, what is it, monsieur?"
81 cannot well tell you here. We will
let them 80 onward and ride slowly be-
hind"
agreed silently, and we soon found
ourselves at little distance from the
party. I'VE We're descending the wooded
valley of the Briance, and turn in the
forest road left Us alone. Then De
Clermont. who had up to now remain
ed silent, began abruptly:
Madame, it has been given to me to
find out the business on which Nj. de
Lorgnac is engaged and over which
you have been sacrificed. You are
brave woman, the bravest l have ever
met, and know you will bear with
the bluntness of my speech. for this is
no time to beat about the bush."
Monsieur, it does not concern me on
what business NJ. de Lorgnac Is engag-
ed. only ask and pray God to give me
some refuge where l may never see
him again"
Hear me a moment. think it does
concern you. and vitality too"
"Then what is it,"
"Now, call to mind your race and oil
that can give you strength. Denise de
Mieux, your husband Is nothing more
than an assassin. He has been hired
by the king and that she devil, the
queen mother, to murder Navarro. 1t is
a political necessity for them. and they
have found all instrument in Blaise de
Lorgnac base enough for their pur-
pose. His price was high, though. 1t
was you, Denise, and De Tavannes,
who Is in the secret, has paid 1t. How he
came to persuade himself to do so
know not. He is your uncle, and will
not say anything against him."
I felt as If l had received q blow.
There was truth in every line Of De
Clermont's face. in every tone Of his
voice, but l struggled against 1t and
said family:
"This does not concern me. am but
q wife in name. I shall never see De
Lorgnac. He Is dead to me-"
would to God he were dead In
deed? he burst out "But there is
more. Catherine is tyrant to her finger
nails. She has heard that you have re-
fused to remain with your husband.
and at his request an order has been
sent to De Termes to deliver you up to
him at Perigueux. Norreys has taken
that order. and it has already reached
him.
"If you doubt me. there is the duph.
cate. You may read it for yourself"
He placed a letter in my hands.
knew the seal well, the red shield
Calf Jc0urs Cured
uood Farm my calf was