Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1902-06-12


and stood silent
And you do not wish it," Ques.
toned JacQueliue.
Am not leaving youH"
Also Madam Ia DucheSse."
All, YOU have been told that al
ready?"
Already
Hear me little one. There was
poor stupid fellow reaching after a
trinket. He thought he wanted it
The chief attraction. think. was that
he had a great rival, Taking way
toward this trinket he came upon
something different, infinitely differ
ent He has forgotten all else in the
world. Can you forgive his folly lit.
tie CCuntess?'
Poor trinket," sighed laeQueline.
Has it still the great rival or has he,
too found something diderent?'
He, too. We are rivals again"
The little countess flushed hotly,
And YOU so away?" she said.
Shall | tell my great rival that |
am afraid to so away"
Would it be truce"
Never"
At this he reached ont her hands
in a very pretty loyalty and he bent
swiftly and drew them to his lips II
pray your God keep YOU little one"
And YOU breathed JacQuelinc;
she had not forgiven him his trinket,
yet her heart was throhhing so she
could not we'll speak. aud De Marche
smiled
He should have been far from Yer
sailles by uightfall. yet the duchess,
resting after her seventh dance, dis
covered him coming up the great
stairway She had chosen her seat
against heavy portere because its
tints made more perfect the sheen of
her dress and hair; hut she smiled
with new shadows of the other side
A cautious finger beckoned De
Marche.
Not gone YETI"
Il have come back"
"A magnet here?"
"A magnet Can YOU direct me, "
glancing eagerly about. TO Countess
JacQuelne?'
You are in haste?"
Pardon. yes, in haste?"
One would say So" pouting. "A
true lovers haste
"A true lovers haste, madam You
have said it,"
File fe, monsieur lie count, It's
century old to be in love with ones
wife"
Pray help so aged a man with
your young eyes"
Poor feeble mem" with a little bit
ter laugh, you are always wanting
eyes. And am to help you see--the
woman you lover"
THE Countess Jacqueline, yes"
From behind the portiere came the
swish of silken skirts flying away
The duchess listened
"ExceIlent!" she cried, and broke
into a ringing laugh Not quite what.
De Berry expected, but twill serve"
De Marche stared, then, with a curt
bow, turned away
Now there were conveniently about
the king some few with tact enough
to help his occasional escape from the
boredom of royal etiquette. And the
dullest of his court could read his eye
when it rested on the Countess
Jacqueliue. So when she hurried
away to an anteroom opening from the
second grand salon, only Louis fol.
lowed She was flushed and trcmb. .
ling, and he thought it was his com
ing.
"Ah," he cried gayIy. always hid
ing, Have you no heart, little queen
of witches?"
Is your majesty collecting hearts ?'
faltered Jacqueline.
Il seek one to match a gem that has
been given me" and he held the ruby
under her eyes.
"Given?" she gasped, "given?"
Was it not?"
mo, no, sire!" in distressed embar
rassment. How could it be given? .
1t was given me"
The king laughed. He thought that
he understood.
You need not be afraid of any
one" he said, when you give to
Louis"
She stood silent, but faced him
proudly
Come" he urged. take it back
then. What will you give in exchange
little WITCH for my ruby?"
Your majesty jests with me
NO, no my soul mol" drawing
nearer. You shall have back the
ring for a smile, and a caronet for an
other. Come, smile on me, queen of
witches" and selling her hand he
shut the ruby inside.
There must be happiness In the
heart murmured Jacqueline, trying
to draw back, before 1t can show on
the lips"
And cannot your heart be happy,
little finty one, with a ruby and a
coronet and--a king?"
Not with the world, answered the I
little countess, unless"