The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-02-05
ard me s.s hand in recon.

- NaIno-a LtLr-ll AtF1Nl 49, H-Ii Ma = 49,
ard me e...ss %c.t a:s haaad in recon
citation.
II ask thy pardon. comrade; / too.
am a soldier. though but an Indifferent
took thee. and I huOAy ask thy par
don."
or course. I could bear no malice
against the fellow, and he seeming sin
cere, l suffered him to present me to
his friends. First among these, de
Brienne presented me to His Royal
Highness, the Duke of Orleans. First
Prince OF the Blood, and the coming
Regent of France"
The latter speech was given with de-
cided emphasis. and a malicious glance
toward a pale face. studious looking
man. a cripple who, the center Of a
more sedate group. was we'll within
hearing. The deformed duke OF Maine.
I thought. rival of Orleans for the Re-
gency. The ladies I would Dave will
.:lingly escaped. but they would not hear
of 1t. n soon was surrounded by, a
chattering group. asking q thousand
questions about the tabled land Of gold
and glory beyond h e Right glad
was I when OF the gallants pointed
out a thoughtful looking gentleman
who walked slowly through the eastern
gate.
There is NJ. de serigny, a brother
of Bienvilie. your governor.
That de Serigny?" I repeated. then
I must leave you, for I would speak to
him." and I bowed myself OF with
what grace I could muster, knowing
naught of such matters. A brisk walk
fetched me to Serigny's side. In a few
His quick, incisive glance too In ev-
cry detail of my dress and appearance
but his features never changed.
wait, my dear Captain he drawled
out, with a polite wave of his perfumed
handkerchief. time for business after
a while. Let us enjoy the beauties Of
the garden"
brother Of the stern Bienville. this the
man upon whom my governors for
tunes now So largely depended? His
foppish manner impressed me very dis
agreeably, and, in no pleasant frame of
mind, I stalked along. by his side list
ening to h senseless gossip Of the
court. We soon passed out of the gar:
dens into the great hall. and reached
his own apartments.
Nc sooner was the valet dismissed
and the key turned in the lock than his
face showed the keenest interest. AZ
ter satisfying himself Of my Identity
and glancing through the packet which
I now handed him, he gave ven to an
exclamation of intense relief.
mot a day too soon. my dear Cap
tain, not a day, not a day, not a day."
different documents. The king prom
Uses to act on this matter in a few
days. tomorrow, probably. Chamillard
is against US; he seems all powerful
now; the king loves him for his trucu-
lence. But these will help. yes, these
will help" And again he ran through
the various papers with business-like
perfumed handkerchief were alike laid
aside. Now I could see the resem-
blance between him and his sturdy
brother.
Tomorrow. yes. tomorrow, my lad
pardon me the familiarity, Captain de
Mouret." he ~apologized, waving aside
my hand raised in protest. Tomorrow
we must act. We must gain the kings
u These must not go through the
poison the kings mind against US.
Most likely they would never reach the
kline at all. Louis will hardly listen to
eve now"
Then let me speak to the king" I
blurted out before I thought. (.
You" he repeated in unconcealed
astonishment. :
Yes, l." replied. for I was now
well into 1t, and determined to wade
through: besides I loved my OLD COM
mander. and would venture much In
his service.
Then I told serigny of the occurrence
in the garden. or enough to let him un-
derstand why I was summoned to the
morning audience.
Thou art lucky. lad; here half a day
and already have an appointment with.
the king" Yes" he unused half aloud.
Louis likes such things. He grows
suspicious with age. and doubts even
his ministers. II is quite possible he
may question you Of affairs in the col
onies. II 30. speak out. and freely, too.
my lad: Louis loves the plain truth
when 1t touches not his princely per-
son or his vanities. God grant that we
may win"
serigny then told me much Of the,
petty trickery Of the court in order that
I might understand how the land lay.
Continued Next Weekly