The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1900-192?, 1902-07-08
... By.
S. LEVETT YEATS
...ooPYRIaHE Zoo, 81 5. LEvErr YEATs.


of attendance to which was subjected |
was in measure punishment for my |
having ridden out alone with M. de |
Clermont, and, owing to an accident !
that befell my horse, had not been able |
to return until very late. The i'll chance |
which followed all my girlish escapades
was not wanting on this occasion, with |
the result that whereas ten others
might have escaped, was observed in |
what was, after all, but harmless
frolic and my conduct reported on, and
madame, who had weak enough eye
for follies and sometimes sins that
were committed by rule-she loved to
direct our Ill doings-rated me soundly
and imposed the penance and perhaps
the worse punishment that was to fol-
low on me.
In the anteroom there was but cush-
Toned stool for the lady in waiting, and
this was placed close to the door so
that one could hear Queen Catherine
calling, for she never rang for us as did
the I.orrainer for even such ladies of
the Duchesse de Nemours, the mother
of Guise
I pushed the seat closer toward the
door and, hardly thinking what / was
doing, leaned. my head against the
woodwork and dropped off into a sort
of troubled doze. How long l slept in
this manner l cannot say, but l was
suddenly aroused by the distinct men
ton of my name, followed by laugh
from within the cabinet. | looked up
in alright, for the laugh was the kings,
and for the moment j wondered how
he had passed in; then, recollecting the
private passage, knew that he must
have come in thence. l would have
withdrawn, but the mention of my
name, coupled with the kings laughter,
aroused my curiosity, and | remained
in my position, making, however, bar
gain with my conscience by removing
my head from the carved oak of the
door. 1t was my duty to be where
| was, and, although would make no
effort to listen, yet If those within were
| talking of me and loud enough for me
| to hear | thought it no harm to stay,
especially as it was Henri who was
speaking, for | knew enough to be
aware that no one was safe from his
scandalous tongue. l may have been
wrong in acting as ! did, but do not
think there is one woman in thou
sand who would have done otherwise,
supposing her to be as | was, but one
and twenty years of age.
So thick, however, was the door that.
my head once removed, l could hear
| 4. - 4I,< will in
SIT is his price, madame" heard the
king say, land, after ALL it is cheap
one considering her escapade with De
! Clermont. Morbleu! But he is sad
| dogw
And then came another surprise, for
the gruff voice of my uncle, the Mar
shall de Tavannes, added:
"Cheap or dear. for one am will
ing that it should be paid, and at once.
She has brought disgrace enough on
our house already. AS for the man, if
poor he is noble and as brave as his
sword. He is well able to look after
her."
/ 'If he keeps his head" put in the
king, while my ears burned at the un-
complimentary speech of my guardian
and my heart began to sink. Then
came something did not catch from
Catherine, and after that murmur of
indscreet voices. At last the kings
high pitched tones rose again. 1t was
voice that seemed to drill its way
through the door.
Enough! 1t is agreed that we pay
na-oooo nh Touopnoc9 Sand for
) the little baggage, If she is, as you say
here, and we will tell her at once. The
matter does not admit of any delay
st. Blaise | should say that after
thirty a man must be mad to peril his
neck for any woman!'
| rose from my seat trembling al
over with anger and apprehension, and
. as | did so the queen mothers voice
rang out sharply:
SMILE. de Mieux"
The next moment tie door opened
and the dwarf Majosky put out his
leering face.
"Enter, mademoisellev' he safd, will
! grotesque bow, adding in a rapid
malignant whisper as I passed him
lou are SOluS W NC LlalAiCo- " LIZ
At any other time l would hav'
spared no pains to get him punished
! for his insolence, but now so takei
! aback was l at what had heard tina
, / scarcely noticed him and entered tn
room as If in dream. Indeed it wa
only with an effort that l recollectet
) myself sufficiently to make my reyer
; ence to the king He called out as
. did so: "Mordieu! l retract, Tavannes
! | retract! Faith, / almost feel as if :
! could take the adventure on myself!
!, A slight exclamation of annoyanc
. escaped the queen, and Tavannes sal
: coldly:
, perhaps your majesty had better n
t form my niece of your good pleasure.
|. adding grimly, "and / guarantee ma
g demoiselle's obedience"
There was a minute or so of silence
II II =