The Washington times., 1903-02-01
ment that followed He proceeded with

"Of course, your wife will bear your
name in future, for which privilege she
is willing to recompense you. And you
may now prepare to hear the name o.
your benefactress. She is great lady
Of the court"
''Whew!"
Holy Vlrgin."
"a great lady Of the court"
Unobserved by the company. the
Chevalier de Coigni had discarded his
mantle and was now one Of the most
attentive auditors in the room. The
silence was, indeed. fattering TO the
author of the letter
/ Comte Guillaume read:
The marriage contract will charge
your future wife in substance with the
conduct Of the household and all ex-
penses connected with provisions. rent.
servants. table linen, care Of equip
ments, keep OF horses, education Of
children and 50 on; toward which ex-
penses you will annually contribute the
sum of 5000 livres,"
'GuiIaume, you can never do it. You
can never do it on earth.'' announced
Tabary. with a sigh Of disappointment.
Between the two there existed very
cordial relations as was evidenced by
the considerable Indebtedness Of Mon
sieur Guillaume on the re,~-- score.
and children" commented Mistress
Tabary. The letter said you were nee.r
to see each other again"
Sweet Mistress Tabary.' be explain
ed. apologetically. you were too young
when my brother left the castle TO re-
member his ways
'Saere nom, a shrewd one was Jean du
Barry" added Tabary was a knowing
wink A suppressed exclamation which
the mention OF Jean du Barry brought
from the stranger IN the corner was
not heard Drawing his cloak more
closely about him, and resting his chin
upon one hand, the Cheyalier de Coigni
listened while Monsieur Guillaume con
tinued the letter:
But do not be alarmed by the stipu-
latioG, as It is a mere formality The
lady will allow as hereafter. an annuity
OF one hundred thousand francs. to be
paid in two instaIlments each year. IN
case you should be interested in learn
ing her name-although it can be
matter of small consequence to you
it Is Mademoisene jeanette Gomard De
yaubernier Signed: Comte Jean al
Barry
Bravo
Bravo"
Monsieur GuiIIaume Is the man fer
the place.
Monsieur Guiliaume is the brother
Of a scoundreI and 4 traitor to the
King"
Every eye in the room sought the
stranger, who had risen on making this
bold declaration. Comte Gunlaume
slowly turned toward the speaker and
surveyed him with some curiosity. Had
his ears deceived him-the best swords
man in Gaseony-or was the affront in
territorial? He had never seen the man
beforehand surely the fellow was out OF
his wits, or else-weH. another gay bird
had come to Gascony for picking.
Meanwhile the company-the entire
male population of the village-was re-
garding the stranger with mingled
gIances of astonishment and curiosity
standing fully revealed in a rich trav-
cling dress. with long riding boots of
tanned leather, the color affected by
Partisan gaIlants of the day
Curiosity ran over the company, Many
of them were reminded OF a somewhat
similar scene when the Comte Guillaume
had sent the raDier of an antagonist
through the window. and then, present
ing his opponent with his own. had taken
broom handle and ended the comedy.
Observing that Cuillaume was tardy
in replying and misconstruing his hest
fancy for fear. the chevaIier repeated:
Monsieur must have heard me say
that his brother is a scoundrel whose
rame would soil the lips of a gentle
man to repeat"
What Il pity. what a pity, Such a
mere youth, and" muttered Master Ia
bary, my guest. 4 clear loss of six
francs-of whole six francs" This con-
ment was accompanied by q sigh which
was repeated as he turned to SAGA
Vin-who was leisureIy discussing goh-
let Of wine-and regretfuIIy continued:
"Guillaume-the gentleman is new in
Gascon-."
Very drawled GuiIIaume But
they say the gaIIants of Paris wear
Iaths in their scabbards nowadays New
ertheless. if monsieur will deign to &C
cept the sword OF a Gaseon gentleman.
some one will doubtless provide me with
another"
'Insolent boor. The ChevaIIer de
Coigni has learned manners and the
use of the rapier in an excellent school. /
He is even tempted to teach a hatIess
braggart now TO behave in the presence
of gentlemen" responded the traveller.
"Pardieu, If words were swords and
carpet knights were soldiers what "a