Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1904-06-09
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from some gay gallant, too. do not
know the writing. Do come here and
read 1t to me. My hands are So
She held up two small white hands
dabbled in the dirt.
Perhaps some invitation TO a court
ball. Well go, eh. Agnes"
He came like the fine, strong gem
ing the note from her and tearing it
open. He began straightway to read.
my lady on tip-toe behind him read
ing over his shoulder, and holding her
contaminated hands away from his
coat. His face grew puzzled at the
first, then as he seemed to finish, lie
stood pace apart from my lady and
read again. There was murder in his
face--yet so white and quiet.
He threw down the note and ground
1t into the soft earth beneath his heel.
Then he caught my lady firmly by both
her shoulders and held her fast at full
arms length, gazing steadily into her
face.
God in heaven as jacques said to
me; Master, what eyes has that Chew
alier de la Moral No man could lie to
him with those eyes reading what ~
fellow thought" Jacques could not
make himself to leave; he stood rigid
and watched
We'll, Madame?"
She tried to laugh, but her hus-
bands face forbade that this could be
spark of lovers play
Well Madame q
why, Charles, what is the MATTER
with YOU, you behave SO strangely ?"
The Chevalier had grown an older
man, his face stern and resolute. eyes
a-glitter, and mouth drawn in tense,
determined lines. A most dangerous
man.
Why Charles, what is the mattero"
When did you meet him at Sceaux?
What did you dog"
Meet who?'
Don't lie to me, woman. am In no
mood for subterfuge."
She besought him with one frighten-
ed look, one step forward to him as if
for protection, which he repealed; then
she looked as though she might weep.
Neither do you weep. Tell me how
many notes like this have you re-
ceived?'
Like what? l could not read 1T,
you held it so high she sobbed.
The Chevalier stopped down, picked
up the crumpled paper from the earth,
and smoothed 1t out. He then handed
1t to her, and regarded her face intent
ly as she read it,
Read this, Madame, and see how
careless you have BEEN
And my lady read the note; she, too.
read it again, the first reading not SUI
f1cing her to understand. Then she
looked at her husband with great wide
open eyes: she was now calm, and as
quiet as he.
Truly, Charles, know nothing of
this"
1T was always said, Madame, al
Sceaux, you could take the stage and
play the parts of distressed and vr-
tuous damosels," he answered her.
coldly curling his lip.
Tell me, Madame, as you value your
soul, what is this Captain de Mouret to
your"
"As I value my SOUL" my lady am
swered him direct and steadily, look
ing straight into his eyes, her own
hands folded across her heaving breast.
AS 1 value my soul, Charles, know
nothing of him"
What does he mean when he says
here i was hasty and too impulsive
when we parted In the chapel at
Sceaux'?"
Upon my honor, Charles. do not
know. | never saw the man in all my
life-to know him."
Upon your honor" the Chevalier
repeated.
And my lady's cheek flushed fire.
But her form Strengthened up and her
eyes met his unfiinching, without guilt
caught sight of Jacques. for the lout,
according to his story, had grown to
the spot as firm as one of the oaks
Here, you fellow. come here, come
here!"
And Jacques dared not disobey him.
Here, fellow, how many notes like
this have you brought to my wife,"
only that one, my lord Jacques
started in by telling the truth, and he
fOl1owed I'm rp1ixrionS1y Accocd;,,,r
to his account of 1t, the Chevalier
looked at him straight through and
through until he dared not tell a lie
Mind that you tell me the truth.
Who gave you this note?"
Captain de Mouret."
Last night
"Where?"
AT his quarters"
ITO whom did he say you should de-
liver it?"
TO Madame Agnes de la Mora"
The chevalier stopped, picked up the
envelope, and re-read the superscrip-
ton, handing 1t over to my lady, who
took it unseeing
Did he expect a reply?"
Yes, my lord"
And where did he say bring it?"
Bring 1t to him when he returned
from across the bay this afternoon.
was to await him upon the Shore
AT what hour?"
None was named, my lord; he said
it would be late, perchance."
Verify, as Jacques told 1t me, he
must have drained the stupid fellow
dry.
Then the chevalier turned to my
lady with the utmost courtesy:
What say you. Madame, Shall /
bear your reply to this gentle captain?
For by my faith, Madame, you require
a more careful go-between than this.
one more discreet and less glib of
tongue"
Charles. upon my honor, 1 know
nothing of all this; j have never seen
this Captain de Mouret."
He looked as if he did not hear her.
He glanced at the sun. full two hours
high, drew his sword and started to
leave the garden.
He paused to doff his cap. and say.
Il bear your message for you, Ma
dame; verify, j am honored."
My lady neither screamed nor faint
ed during his questioning of JACQUES:
she stood and listened as one dazed.
or who but dimly understood The
chevalier strobe out sword in hand.
For shame, Charles" she called to
him calmly enough. though she was
deadly pale, here is some wretched
mistake"
Yes. there docs appear to have been
q mistake-in the delivery of this
precious billet. I will speedily make
that right"
Charles, Charles."
He turned. Her bearing was full as
proud as his. He looked from the wo-
man to the paper In his hand
Well, If you know not this man.
then he has wanfnp1y ips,1ltod ,o,, r
shall await this Captain de Mouret
by the water and there 1 shall knnu.