The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1904-05-05

ing Serlgny srarlng in he most unbe-'
lieving and bewildered fashion at me-"
In Gods name, captain, what piece
of folly Is this, Tell me all. for Outlines
the success of the most careful plans
IS governed by just such un~dercurrents
as this, of mans low or woman's spite.
Go on, 1 listen"
explained briefly Madame's posi-
ton, Serigny modelling his acquies-
cence: 1t 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
we'll 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 a
lad 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 I?
This matter has disturbed me-Oh,
yes, about to give your orders. You
see l am all ready to leave. 1 have but
waited your return. The war has been
decided on and the news needs only to
be given out. The king hesitates and
wayers; Chamillard is a mere reflec-
ton of the royal whim. II we do not
NNSoSN ShC Spdilldid he Will attack us,
1t IS simply a question of whether we
want the war at Biloxi or Havana
For my part I would rather So, Hav-
ana in seige than Biloxi. This matter
can not be delayed. A few DAYS
more at the most. These dis
patches a decide. With these
before the king he will no longer doubt
my brother, but will place the blame
where 1t most properly belongs-for in
the main. Louis is just. / would not
desire any greater pleasure thar to see
the gibbet wherein these traitors of
the itching palms, these thieves who
sell their king for Spanish gold, will
take their last dance. Do you remain
here for as many as six days, this room
is at your disposal. Be quiet and dis
Greet; learn all and tell nothing. A
still tongue is the safest in these times.
The moment wal is declared make all
speed for Dippe and we will up anchor
and away"
Serigny was as happy as a boy at the
prospect of action; the atmosphere Of
court i'll agreed with his fiery temper.
This was the gist OF our plan OF oper-
atoms, and 1t was so arranged in de-
tail.
In a few moments Serigny left me,
taking the packet with him, and I in
excess Of caution followed him at a lit
tie distance. locking the door behind me
n keeping the key in my pocket. I
bore his tall figure we'll in sight until
he passed out into the ~unfrequented
halls into that portion of the palace
where the many snuttlecocks of for
tune c~ongregated to laugh and talk and
plot and lie. Not long afater he came
back, sorely nettled and disa ppointed.
1t is done; the king has them IN his
own hands; yet he does not talk; prom
ises nothing; is closeted with his min
listers; they must be of considerable
Importance. 1t IS all secure for us, for
1 told him Of my departure in the
morning to the colonies, and he as
scented. [ judge, then, it is something
of a very delicate nature, touching the
royal honor Of the kings own blood.
Besides much is in cipher which 1t will
take time to read. Louis, you know,
would not admit. save to those nearest
ms ron the possession of the secret
Spanish cipher"
The night passed by dismal and un-
certain enough. I must confess to a
| great sinking of the heart when / saw
S~erigny's carriage roll away in the gray
of the early morning, leaving me abso-
lutely alone in my fathers land Of
france. where In the short space Of
two weeks SO much had TRANSFERRED;
much to be ever remembered, much I
would have given worlds to forget.
1t must have been q most forlorn and
detected looking creature thai stood in
the great square that sunless morning.
peertng into the mists which had alb
sorbed the carriage. The solitude of
vast u~ntrodden forests breeds not tina
vacant sense Of desolation which we
children of nature feel in the ovid
haunts of men. Face after face form
after form, voice after voice, yet not
one familiar countenance, not one re-
menbered tone, not the glance OF a
kindly eye; all is new, all is strange, all
is seeming cnn!ty. The detection Of
Jerome, MY only comrade, was indeed q
cup Of bitterness. I dreaded to meet
him, not knowing what tack he might
cut away on. Yet I could not blame
him; 1t was more of pity I felt.
1 recall with great delight some of
the minor occurrences Of the lex three
or four days. After S~erigny's depart
ure, every afternoon at imminent risk
I would take horse to Sceaux, and pur-
suing a by-way through the forests
and fields, through which a wood-cut-
ter first led me, ride hard to catch a
glimpse OF her who now occupied all
my thoughts. I wonder at this time
how 1 then held SO firm by the duty Of
returning to the colonies, when the very
thought Of war and turmoil was so dis
tasteful to ms. Whea. I rode to Paris
and clothed myself once more in nv
own proper garments, their friendly
folds gave me q new courage to meet
whatever fate might send.
1t may be pertinent to chronicle here,
what history has already recorded, the
result Of placing those dispatches In
the kings hands.
Continued Next Week.