The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1904-02-05
.rd me holding out his hand in recon

ard me holding out his hand in recon
Citation.
Il ask thy pardon. comrade: I too,
am a soldier, though but an Indifferent
one in these peaceful times. We mis-
took thee, and L humbly ask thy par
don"
OF course, I could bear no malice
against the fellow, and he seeming sin
cere, | 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 q malicious glance
toward a pale face, studious looking
man, a cripple, who, the center of a
more sedate group, was well within
hearing. The deformed duke Of Maine,
l thought, rival OF Orleans for the Re-
gency. The ladies l would ave will
lingly escaped, but they would not hear
of it, AND soon | was surrounded by a
chattering group. asking a thousand
questions about the tabled LAND of gold
and glory beyond the Right glad
was l when one Of the gallants pointed
who walked slowly through h eastern
gate.
There is NJ. de Serigny, a brother
of Bienville, our governor.
THAT de Serigny?" 1 repeated, "then
I must leave you, for / would speak to
him." and l bowed myself off with
what grace 1 could muster, knowing
naught Of such matters. A brisk walk
fetched me to Serigny's side. In a few
words 1 communicated my mission.
His quick, incisive glance took 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, thine for business after
a while. Let US enjoy the beauties of
the garden"
My spirits fell. Could this be a
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
and, in no pleasant frame OF
mind, l stalked along by his side list
ening to the senseless gossip Of the
court. We soon passed out of the gar
dens into the great hall, and reached
his own apartments.
No sooner was the valet dismissed
and the key turned in the lock than his
face showed the lleenest interest. At
ter satisfying himself Of my identity
and glancing through the packet which
1 now handed MIN, he gave vent to an
exclamation Of intense relief.
mot a day too soon, my dear Cap
tain, not a day, not a day, not a day"
he kept repeating over, looking at the
different documents. The king prom
Uses to act on this matter in6a few
days, tomorrow, probably. Chamillard
is against US; he seems all powerful
the king loves him for his trucu-
ence. But these will help, yes, these
will help And again he ran through
the various papers with business-like
His Fashionable air and the
perfumed handkerchief were alike laid
aside. Now l could see the resem-
blance between him and his sturdy
4
Tomorrow, yes, tomorrow, my lad
pardon me the familiarity, Captain de
Mouret," he apologized, waving aside
hand raised in protest. Tomorrow
must act. We must gain the kings
ear. These must not go through the
department Of war. Chamillard will
poison the kings mind against us.
Most likely they would never reach the
king at all. Louis will hardly listen to-
me even now"
Then let me speak to the king" I
out before I thought. -
Your he repeated in unconcealed
establishment.
Eyes. l." l replied, for l was now
we'll into it, and determined to wade
Stii ~ l SolAiN L ioNCu lhy III NOIIl-
mandee. and would venture much in
his service.
Then 1 told Serigny of the occurrence
in the garden, or enough to let him I'M
derstand why l 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. 1t is quite possible he
may question you of affairs in the coll
onies. If SO, speak out, and freely, too,
lad; Louis loves the plain truth
when it touches not his princely per-
or his vanities. God grant that we
Win"
Serigny then told me much of the
petty trickery of the court in order that
might understand how the land lay. /
Continued Next Weekly