The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1904-05-06

ion seemed one OF mere idle curiosity.
T. would have so appeared had | not
inoWn that he was already perfectly
acquainted with every mark borne by
our charge. The eyes. half closed in
ireamy contemplation. spoke appar-
entity OF a ma who has been relieved
of some grave responsibility and en-
Joys the relaxation. yet, for all of that.
ne was listening most i~utently to wha,
SerignN and | were talking of. Serigny
was now fondling the Instruments
which Wee to he the restoration of his
w and his brothers influence. His
words wera addressed TO neither of us.
in particular.
Here is the seal of Spain. Celle
mare again. lcgad. They are boil.
or must have great confidence in their
em%issaries. Here. too. is Madame. All.
my q little lady. YOU have outaone
your own cleTerness at last. | fancy
even the kings Old love for his SON :
mcthes will not save you nov. /
would knew what was in them"
We can easily see. and close them
snug again ventured jerome. but
noting Serigny's frown. he turned II
off with Il laugh. "or so our friend
Madame would advise"
1T thus became manifest he had no,
abandoned his idea Of i~ntercepting
whatever might compromise Midan.
de Chart1aia.
Serisny continued: These must DC
placed before the king unopened by
any of us. Yes. its a risk" he cauaht
Jerome's knotted brow of indecisioa.
II grant you i'll is a risk. foc l know not
what complications are here contained.
!lmyselt seek, the king. and with
these ain sure to gain his own ear.
Jerome all this nile uttered no word.
Ticking the mud sD.ctcllns of his boots
and lifting al earnest look now and
anon to sersiaEy.
My own mind was busy devisins
means TO foil any contemplated treacf-
cry upon his part. II wondering
wondering it was not my duty 10
a%cquaint Serigny With the whole truth
OF the matter The test came when i
least expected it. When al our adven-
lures had been detailed again and
again, his dozens of incisive cues
lions answered, our conversation nat
urally drifted toward the future. NV
mission in France completed. there was
nothing now but Il return to the COL
ONES, and the uncertainties of a cam
palgn which l no longer doubted was
imminent. Somehow the thought of a
great and glorious war did not appeal
TO me SO forcibly as such a prospect
would have lone some few weeks
agone.
There was ever a shy little face. a
brave girlish figure which stood reso-
lutte n trembling before me in the
park. that intruded between me and
the barbaric splendor of our western
wars. Nor did ] raise a hand to brush
the vision aside. 1t toned down the
innate savagery of man, softened the
stern. calious impulses of the soldier.
n all he currents of my being trick
led through quieter, sweeter channels
OF life and love. e the am of it
made not the thought less sweet.
There was but Il trifing period to
spare for such gentler musings. for
Serigny, by a gesture, called attention
to his we'll packed luggage.
"See, l am ready. L only waited YOUR
corning and report to put out at once
for lie Dauphin. My people have al
ready gone forward to arm n pro-
vision her for the struggle. We, must
be prompt. There is much to lose in a
day. l myself Will go on tomorrow
INC have all in complete readiness for
lighting on the other side. Now Civ
heed Placide-Captain de Mouret." for
he was always particular to distin-
guish the mar from the soldier, and in
giving orders to address me by my
proper title. The war has been de-
cided upon; You will remain here and
watch developments"-he was pro
&SNA4 y -IlC L w Ilti MAS
expected of me. 1 knew not what he
might say, but felt impelled to throw
' out silent warning, which even though
he understood it not, he was quick
enough to take. He paused and looked
me inquisitively in the face. ] glanced
awkwardly from him to Jerome and
back again.
The thought then dominant was a
growing distrust for Jerome. and the
desire to nave u movements secret.
| remembered B%ienyille's words. I'VE
know not who to trust and being is-
norant Of what orders Serigny meant
to give, or how much information they
would convey to Jerome. deemed it
best to let all the occurrences of the
day come out. l could not forget the
lad gallantry, nor must l lose sight
OF the fact that as affairs now were,
he might very well have gone over to
the other side for the sake of Madame:
things stranger than that took place
every day. and l had learned to be dis
Greet. He might thus come into valu-
able hints and afterward cast them in
to the scale against Bienville, for ev-
cry means good or bad would be used
by them to save their own influence.
to uplift the Duke of Maine. If Bien-
Vile were involved in the general ruin.
Why what mattered 1t to them?
While 1 remained hesitating for a
'SiN, iSaoS VIII IdQ aiTeadN
colnprehended my purpose. He took
the words from my lips. His counte-
nance first flushed. then became hard
and fixed, compelling me for the time
into Hence
Monsieur de Serigny, 1 perhaps can
speak you better our good Captains
mind. He mistruSts me-"
"You?" burst out Serigny greatly
surprised. Why you have ever been
our staunch and loyal friend. What is
this, Captain de Mouret, surely you
are above a young mans i%ealousy?"
Jerome CAV me no time to explain.
Softly, softly, sir. The captain has
good couse. Give me heed, my friends.
To you, NJ. de Serigny, l will say upon
my honor, which until this day was
never stained by thought or deed.
will say,-this day I would have be-
trayed you. Nay. do not look so
panied and un%believing: all men are
but mortal, and passions stronger even
than duty. stronger than loyalty, yea,
stronger h a honor itself, may tyran-
nize over the best of us. I repeat, this
day would 1 gladly have betrayed o
betrayed my friends to save-well it
boots NOT whom h,:t a uro,,,, NJ,