The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1904-03-11
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yes, by my faith. madame" but
such sayings We're foreign to my awk-
ward tongue.
She led me out of the palace by a pri-
vate way, and when the street vas
reached we walked along as two men
would. She directed our course. and as
she gave not hint Of her destination we
came to an arched door on a side street
n there she paused and looked care
fully about to see that no one watched
us and them we went.
The lady seemed in highest spirits
over her un~accountable prank. and
laughed g%ir1shly. Nov I will crafty
my curiosity. You know 1 admit my
curiosity, sometime. These men are
not alone in their thirst for excitement.
IT is tiresome at court, ever he same
thing day after day"
We had now come into a fairly wide,
Well-lighted hall, and an ~obsequious
attendant. showed us up a stair, and
opening a door. pointed out the place
we asked for. Imagine my utter as
constituent when we stood together
within the gaming room at Bertrand's.
What an internal fool I had been to be
tempted into this very place Of all 9TH
ers. I thought at once it was some
cowardly trick Of Wards. 1 sliced
the woman by the arm for I supposed
her then but another decoy; there was
no telling how far this Spanish intrigue
had gone Or what high ~personages
Madame du Maine might be able to en-
list in furtherance Of her schemes. I
slazed her firmly, n had taken one
step back towards the door again,
when her cold ringing voice undeceived
me.
What means my lord; 1 thought him
a gentleman. Shall I appeal for pro-
lection to these low men here?"
There wal such a truth in her low
measure explained my thought.
"AVell, we'll, Well not quarrel here"
and looking about her with eager Gu
riosity. h chose a table where fewest
players sat, n tlitherwards we went.
from the others, against a pillar, and
no gamesters sat on the side next the
wall. 1t left III scant space to sit be-
tween. There we Toe our places, and
the lady tumbled out a purse we'll
filed with gold pieces. handed
some to me and babe me play.
She laid her wagers, and won with the
glee Of a child, her face alternate
flushed and pale. I could see I wronged
her by supposing her in league with
the place. She played in too feverish
earnest.
During this while I had observed the
same two men who had met me on the
stair the previous night. They were
walking about n carelessly looking
on at the different games. Yet for all
their nonchalance there was a we'll
defined method in their procedure. that
attracted my attention. The taller
man scanned every person in the hall,
and when the lady and I came in he
watched us intently.
! His comprehensive same as on the
previous night-withdrew to talk.
After some consultation they reached
a decision. Together they came our
way, and h tall man clapped his hand
twice.
At the signal, for such it was, from
every table rose a man or two, and
ranged themselves about him, who
called. ! could also see a guard sud
denly stationed, as If by magic, at each
point Of exit. Where, here and there,
a cloak was thrown back, the CLEAN Of
q uniform showed beneath.
There, my lads. is u quarry; take
Them" commanded the tall man. point
ing to US.
I cursed myself for a silly fool to
run again into such danger.
The dispatches in my bosom would
hang me. and I dared not explain my
possession Of them. 1t was plain, too,
that the kings officers, as we'll as
Serigny, had their suspicious of the
place. It was too late now for peni-
tence. 1t was time to act.
The lady arose SO trembling and
frightened that my courage all came
lying on the table In front Of her.
MY lord" she whispered, you must
protect me-; 1t would be the scandal Of
all France were I to be discovered In
such a place"
Her appeal made me forget my own
imminent danger, and I bethought my
self what best to do. They could ap-
proach me by but n side, and while
[ considered a parley with the officers,
She calmly gathered up her gold aud
restored it to her purse, as If the mat
ter were already settled, though
could see no change in the front of
those around is. AS the soldiers would
have pulled the table away, she bade
them wait, and said: II would speak
to your leader"
The tall mar asked: And what
would you say? We have no time to
talk"
1T is not to you, I know you both:
I would speak to my lord by your
side.'
With that, the other, who had re-
NAMED rather in the background, came
forward, and she took him aside where
none could hear, save myself a word or
two. The lady spoke to him in a low,
quiet tone, n raised her mask a lit
tie. The mai started back, then re-
moved his cap ~deferentially. I was
close enough to hear his exclamation:
"Mademoiselle la Princesse."
Hush" she placed her finger on her
lips, The does not know" indicating me
by a gesture.
I was as ~astonished as he, but had
no further anxiety. No officer would
dare arrest a princess Of the blood in
such a place.
What does Mademoiselle do in Ber-
trand's gaming house?"
1T is not for you to question, my
lord" she drew herself up coldly, II
chose 1t. Now I would go. Provide
an escort for me and the gentleman
who has the honor to accompany me-
She came back to me smiling. I'VE
will go In peace. It is Vauban. 1t
must be no trifing matter to fetch
him out tonight. I wonder who 1t is
he seeks?"
I thought I could enlighten her, per-
haps, but kept g. still tongue.
Vauban a a quiet order to the tall
man. who, it appears, was In command
of the squad, which order he in turn
! communicated To them