The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-06-10

read 1t to me. My hands are So
She held up two small white hand
dabbIed in the dirt.
Perhaps some invitation to a cour
ball. Well go. eh, Agnes"
he came like the fine, strong gen
uenan he was. across the garden, TAX
ing the note from her and tearing /
open. He began straightway to reat
my lady on tip-toe behind him read
ing over his shoulder. and holding he
contaminated hands away from hi
coat. His face grew puzzled at tn
first, then as he seemed to finish, III
stood a pace apart from my lady an,
read again. There was murder in hi
face-yets so white and quiet.
He threw down the note and grount
1T into the soft earth beneath his heel
Then he caught my lady firmly by botl
Eer shoulders and held her fast, at full
arms length, gazing steadily into he
face
God in heaven" as Jacques said t.
me; Master, what eyes has that Chev
alier de la Mora! No man could lie t.
him with those eyes reading what ;
fellow thought" Jacques could no.
make himself to leave; he stood rigid
and watched.
Well, Madame?"
She tried to laugh, out her hus.
bands face forbade that this could be-
"a spark OF overs play.
Well, Madame?"
why, Charles, what is the matter
with you, you behave so strangely? p
The Chevalier had grown an older
man, his face stern and resolute, eyes
a-glitter, and mouth drawn in tense
determined lines. A most dangerous
man.
Why, Charles. what is the NATTER
Ahe did you meet him at SceauX!
What did o do?"
Meet who?'
Don't lie to me, 1 am in nc
mood for subterfuge."
She besought him with one frighten-
ed look, one step forward to him as ii
for protection. which he repelled; then
h looked as though she might weep
Neither do you weep. Tell me how
many notes like this have you re-
-ceived?'
Like what? I could not read 1t,
you held 1T so HIGH" she sobbed.
The Chevalier stopped down, picked
up the crumpled paper from the earth,
and smootled it out. He then handed
II to her, and regarded her face intent
iy as she read it.
Read this, Madame, and see how
careless you nave been.'
And my lady read the note; she, too,
read it again, the first reading not suf-
ftcing her to understand. Then she
ooked at her husband with great wide
open eyes; she was now calm, and IS
quiet as he.
Truly, Charles, I know nothing of
this"
1T was always said. Madame, at
1Sceaux. you could take the stage and
play the parts Of distressed aud vir-
tuous damosels." he w her,
coldly curling his lip.
Tel me, Madame, as you value your
what is this Captain de Mouret to
you?"
las i value my SOUL" my lady an
swered him direct and steadily, look
ing straight into his eyes, her own
hands folded across her heaving breast.
las l value my soul. Charles, I know
nothing OF him.
What does he mean when he says
here 8 was hasty n too impulsive
when we parted In The chapel at
Sceaux'?'
Upon my honor. Charles, I do not
know. l never saw the man in all my
llife--to know him"
Upon your honor" the Chevalier
repeated.
And my lady's cheek flushed fire.
But her form Strengthened up. and her
eyes met his untlinching, without guilt
cor fear. The Chevalier turned and
caught sight of Jacques, for the lout,
according to his story, had grown to
the spot as firm as one of the oaks.
Here, you fellow, come here, come
,here!"
And Jacques dared not disobey him.
.tiere, fellow, how many notes like
this have you brought to my wife 2"
only that one, my lord" jacques
started in by telling the truth, and he
followed it up religiously. According
to his account of it, the Chevalier
i1Nlra.j ~ .1,i,,, ct,., VI = ~, ,, 49,, ..I
through until he dared not tell a lie.
Min that you tell me the truth.
who gave you his note?'
Captain de Mouret."
"Nhen?"
Last night"
@Nhere?"
'"At his quarters"
"To whom did he say you should de-
liver it?'
TO Madame Agnes de la Nora"
Thu cheValier stopped, picked up the
envelope, and re-read the superscrip-
ton, handing it over to my lady. who
took it unseeing.
Did he expect a reply?"
Yes, my lord"
And where did he say bring it?"
Bring it to him When he returned
from cross the bay this afternoon.
was to await him upon the Shore
- II Jul /.
"None was named. my lord; he said
it would be late, perchance."
Verify. as Jacques old 1t me, he
must have drained the stupid fellow
dry.
Then the chevalier turned to my
lady with theu utmost courtesy:
What say Madame, shall
bear you reply to this gentle captain!
For by my faith, Madame, you require
morn n orof,il rn-hatyyan,, tL,, tl,;,
one more discreet and less glib OF
tongue"
CHARLES. upon my honor. 1 know
nothing Of all this; ] la never seen
this Captain de Mouret."
He looked as il he did not hear her.
T1e glanced at the sun, full two hours
high, drew his sword and started to
leave the garden.
He paused to doff his cap, and say,
II bear your message for you, Ma
dame; verify, / am honored."
My lady neither screamed nor faint
ed during his questioning OF Jacques;
:she stood n listened as one dazed,
or who but dimfy understood. The
~'cheva!ier strobe out sword in hand.
For shame, Charles" she called to
him calmly enough. though she was
deadly pale. here is some w~retched
mistake"
@Yes. there does appear to nave been
II mistaken the delivery of this
precious billet. I will speedily make
tttL,t right"
-. n ,lo So CLa,1o.ts