Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1902-06-12
STORY for an
Hole Dour
BETWEEN TRINKET AND. RUBY
Eta E. Garnett.


The little Countess Jacqueline wa.
presented at court that evening. 4
stir of more than usual curiosit,
greeted her entrance. There wer,
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 Jacqueline; the gay
music; the brilliant scene; the king S
smile; like flower from its sheath
she bloomed out of her convent-bred
silence and timidity. Youths elias
ITCHY thrilled her veins, the rhythmic
motion was 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 pause of the
dance whispers drifted outside dis
Greet bounds to his ears, thus:-
"Oh, plain as slap in the face.
Madame la Duchesse is bone of con-
tention, is she not?"
80" laughing, you call his ma
jesty dog?"
But a king, though he be, dog,
may not cross swords with a count:
he sends lettre de cachet, or BAN
ishment"
"And which II i timer"
"Banishment, with sarcastic alter
native that he bring 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
l believe you are right. She has the
two dogs in leash"
The little countess stared up at her
partner.
as it true?" she questioned, like a
child in fright.
Il am most anxious to know, mad
ame," answered Louis. He had shot
fruitless glance of fury in search of
the tattlers and turned to meet her
eyes with a laugh.
"Your majesty thinks, such a tale
amusing?"
"That depends upon the countess
Jacqueline."
His glance held smiling admiration
grown too bold, and quick resent
ing color swept the girls face. But
the music led on again and she step
ped forward to meet the clasp OF hel
husbands hand She looked up al
him. His majesty, with the duchess
fair fingers in his, peered askance tc
watch De Marche meet those startled
questioning young eyes, and swiftly
two of the tattler's discoveries were
Endorsed. To king and count Madame
la Duchesse was become passee. Fol
from his wife's eyes De Marche hat
looked into the kings, and theil
glances were the crossing of swords,
1t was not until she was In thu
sleigh going home that Jacquelinei
mute question was answered by an
other.
What is ny" asked De Marche
y mo matter. Monsieur lie Catnte,
am learning fast"
Not, hope, to be aAkSnd."
"Ah. who teaches Ae?'
"Do you give year captives
quarter, little one2"
"Captiyes,b cried the girl, turnin
on him passienately; "captives, that
what you have made of u.s."
"The king" said De Marche, dryl.
'is a most fascinating man."
HE is a most rude man." remen
brance striking the color back to he
cheek.
.oThe king rude!" cried March
and smiled as he bent to wrap ne
furs closer; Il must take great cal
of YOU. little countess. There is NJ
such another critic in this court
France"
IT was the business of De Berr.
chief of police, to know everything
and > e attended to the matter as IL
as a as humanity possible AM
weightier affairs he found diversion
in the eclipse of Madame la Duchess
He even found some sympathy in n
austere nature for the courage WI
which she held up her handsome nea
u and the smile of contempt that 81
dealt the forgetfulness OF her Ia
worshipers. At the next salon
sought a moments tete-a-tete VII
her.
"The Countess De Marche,
said, 'is in great trouble. she ID
lost her betrothal ring, the gre
Marcne ruby. Is that very bad luck
"Oh, extremely" she was iookir