The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-12-13

| ing him.
plotting a rescue for madame?" he
said. II but limited. your eminence.
! that one lover safe Is better than two
others"
Excellent. And the little countess?'
Both looked over to the little coun-
tess. She was chatting gayly, ra-
diant. There was still throng about
| her.
"She will go the way of the Others
DE berry said, gruffly. But the curdi-
nal shook his head.
Now the great ruby had fallen and
hdedn itself behind one of the kings
shoe buckles. 1t was handed up to
him with gay Jest.
II saw the little countess curtseyed
very low. Your majesty's smile must
always be fatal"
"But this" answered his majesty,
"is n mans ring"
True. But your majesty may have
noticed" with a grin aside, that the
marriage was somewhat hasuy; and Dc
Marche having a choice taste IN jewels,
nothing less than the famous ruby
could serve his bride-elect."
"And nothing less added another.
could speak so eloquently from the
kings Shoe
"a rare triumph" put in a third.
"The little countess is a WITCH
Louis tucked the ring into his pocket.
"She has her season for Furnishing De
Marche," he said, laughing softly.
you may be silent about this matter,
gentlemen. and-send De Berry to me-"
At which the courtiers stood a bit
aghast. for even the rockiest con-
science may have it's spots of, qualm
when king looks black at another
man.
"A clumsy ruse' said De Marche.
'It is as we'll" brusquey. that you
understand. The appointment comes
through me because refusal"
you were to hint that refusal means
the Bastile, Monsieur De Barry?"
II was to hint that
And if 1 accepted, and my wife goes
with me?"
His majesty would say with low
cred eyes. that she cannot be spared
from attendance on the queen, who has
taken a fancy to her.
Death, man! Have you the blood of
a fish,
81 need have"
Wheels sounded in the court yard.
De Marche looked down from a near
window and beckoned De Berry. The
little countess was Just back from a
drive. She was thinking that even the
shadows here were lighter than those
about the convent. Her face was rad
liant with the crisp winter air and the
iov of life.
''It is very sad De Berry murmured
softly.
"Psham!" answering more the
thought than the words. Il defy the
king and all his court to soil her light
est thought. But" with Il fierce in
drawn breath, ''if there's danger I'll
take her away A large bit of the earth
is outside the rule of Louis de Bourbon.
I'll take her away"
"'Tis Il pity" dryly. that you told
me"
"Ah, well, there is no danger
The chief went down the room with
bent head, and came back.
The countess's ring" he began, and
paused.
"Ah. yes. Have you trace of it?"
"A slight-trace of it. But, Monsieur
le Comte---''
''Yes?"
DO not set your heart upon"
Upon the ruby?"
Upon anything
DE Marche looked him in the eye 81
bid you good day monsieur" he said.
Then he went to Countess Jacuueline
and told of the sudden journey and
stood silent.
"!,nd YOU do not wish it?" questioned
Jacqueline.
Am L not leaving you "
Also Madam la Duchesse"
"Ah, you have been told that al
ready"
Already"
Hear me. little one There was a
poor stupid fellow reaching after a trim
ket. He thought he wanted it. The
chief attraction, | think, was that he
had great rival. Taking a way to-
ward this trinker he came upon some-
thing different, infinitely different He
has forgotten all else in the world. Can
you forgive his folly, little countessc"
Poor trinket!' sighed Jacqueline.
Has it still the great rival, or has he,
too, found something different?"
He. too. We are rivals again.
The little countess flushed hotly.
And YOU go away?" she said.
Shall ! tell my great rival that am
afraid to so away?"
Would it be true?"
"Never.r
Al this she reached out her hands in
very pretty loyalty and he bent
swiftly and drew them to his lips. Il
pray your God keep you. little one"
And you,' breathed Jacqueline: she
had not forgotten him his trinket yet
her heart was throbbing so she couId
not we'll speak, and De Marie smiled.
He should have been far from Ver-
sailles by nightfall, yet the duchess,
resting after her seventh dance, dis
covered him coming up the great stair
way. She had chosen her seat against
Il heavy portiere because its tints made
more perfect the sheen of her dress
and hair; but she smiled with new zest
on finding the little countess in the
shadows of the other side. a cautious
finger beckoned De Marche.
Not gone yet?'
Il have come back"
"A magnet here?"
"A magnet, Can you direct me-"
glancing eagerly about, TO Countess
Jacqueline?"
you are in haste?"
Pardon, yes, in haste"
zone would say so,'' pouting. "A
true lovers haste"
"a true lovers haste, madam, You
have said it,"
"Fie, fie. monsieur lie count, It's "A
century old to be in love with ones
Wife"
"Pray help so aged man with your
young eyes"