Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1904-05-07

your WI cleverness at last. / fancy
even the kings old love for his sons
mother will not save you now. |
would / knew what was in them"
I'VE can easily see. and close them
snug again." ventured Jerome. but
noting Serigny's frown, he turned II
off with q laugh, ''or so our friend
Madame would advise
1T thus became manifest he had not
abandoned his idea Of intercepting
whatever might compromise Madame
de Chartrain.
Serigny continued: These must DE
placed before the king unopened by
any of us. Yes, it's a risk he caught
Jerome's knotted brow of indecision,
Il grant you Ii is a risk, for 1 know not
what complications are here contained.
Iwi llmyself seek the king, and with
these am sure to gain his own ear.
Jerome all this while uttered no word.
hicking the mud splotches off his boots
and lifting an earnest look now and
anon to SergigEy.
My W mind was busy devising
means to foil any contemplated treach-
cry upon his part, and wondering
wondering II was not my duty TO
acquaint Serigny with the whole truth
of the matter. The test came when L
least expected 1t. When al our adven-
lures had been detailed again and
again, his dozens of incisive ques-
ions answered, our conversation nat
urally drifted toward the future. MY
mission in France completed, there was
nothing now but a return TO the coll
onies, and the uncertainties of a cam
paign which | no longer doubted was
imminent. Somehow the thought of q
great and glorious war did not appeal
to me so forcibly as such a prospect
would have done some few weeks
gone
There was ever a shy little ace, a
brave girlish figure which stood reso-
lutte and trembling before me In the
park, hat intruded between me and
the barbaric splendor of our western
wars. Nor did J raise a hand to brush
the vision aside. 1t toned down the
innate savagery OF man, softened the
stern, Callous impulses of the soldier,
and all the currents of my being trick
led through quieter, sweeter channels
of life and love. Even the shame Of it
made not the thought less sweet.
There was but u trihing period to
spare FOR such sentler musings, for
Serigny, by a gesture, called attention
to his well packed luggage.
See, l am ready. l only waited your
coming and report to put out at once
for lie Dauphin. My people have al
ready gone Onward to arm and pro-
vision her for the struggle. We must
be prompt. There is much to lose in Il
day. l myself will go on tomorrow
and have all in complete readiness for
the voyage, and, who knows for the
fighting OF the other side. Now give
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-
ceeding to acQuaint me with what was
expected of me. / knew not what he
might say, but felt impelled to throw
out silent warning, which even though
he understood Ii 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 her dominant was a
growing distrust for Jerome, and the
desire to have u oveme secret.
] remembered Bienville's words, I'VE
know not who to- trust and being ig-
norant of what orders Serigny meant
to give, or how much information they
would convey to Jerome, deemed IL
best to let all the occurrences of the
day come out. / could not forget the
lads gallantry, nor must | 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 han that took place
every day, and l had learned to be dis
Greet. He might thus come into valu-
able hints n afterward cast them in
to the scale against Bienville, for ev-
cry means good or bad would b. 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 it to them?
While l remained hesitating for a
word, Jerome's ready wit had already
comprehended 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 silence.
Monsieur de Serigny, l perhaps can
speak you better our good Captains
mind. He mistrusts me-"
Your 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 jealousy?"
Jerome gave me no time to explain.
Softly, softly, sir. The captain has
good couse. Give me heed, my friends.
To you, Nj. de Serigny, / will say upon
my honor, which until this day was
never stained by thought or deed, |
will say,-this day l would have be-
trayed you. Nay, do not look so
panied and unbelieving; all men are
but mortal, and passions stronger even
than duty, stronger than loyalty, yea,
stronger than honor itself, may tyran-
nize over the best Gus. / repeat, this
day would l gladly have betrayed you.
betrayed my friends to save-well it
boots not whom, but a For
the oma l love may lose her liberty
If not her life when those accursed pa
pers reach the hands of the king. /
was mad, and at this momen doubt
and fear myself. 1t is better not to
trust me with you plans: the captain
is right. Jerome de Greville never yet
deceived a friend, but for the love of
God, Measures, do no tempt him now
and he faced about with unsteady step
and started TOWARD the door. Before
we could detain him he was gone, leav-
Ing Serigny staring in the most unbe-
lieving and bewildered fashion at me-
In Gods name, captain, what piece
Of folly is this, Tell me all, for ofttimes
the success OF the most careful plans
is governed by just such u~ndercurrents
as this, Of mans love or woman's spite.
Go on, l listen"
I explained briefly Madame's posi-
ton, Serigny modelling his acuuies-
cence; it was an old tale to him, ex-
cept he did not know Jerome's rela-
tons with Madame. OF her domina-
ton over the Duke of Maine he was
well aware. When my story was fully
done he pondered for a long while in
silence. His sorrow was deep and sin
sere.
Poor fellow: poor fellow; as noble n
as ever drew a sword, but in his
present frame of mind it is safer not to
trust him; he is capable of any act Of
desperation. We will do our best TO
protect his lady though. Where was II
This matter has disturbed me-Oh,
yes, about TO give your orders. You
see l am all ready 70 leave. l have but
waited you return. The war has been
on and the na1us raonds nnIL. -