The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1904-06-10
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have; it is missive to your wife, ana
from some gay gallant. too. I do not
know the writing. Do come here and
read it to me. My hands are So
She held up two small white hands
dabbled in the dirt
Perhaps some invitation to 4 court
ball. Wen go, eh, Agnes"
He came like the fine strong gen.
tleman he was, across the garden. TAX
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, he
stood pace apart from my lady and
read again. There was murder in his
face-Net 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 Chev-
Qier de Ia Mora! No man could lie to
him with those eyes reading what a
fellow thought" jacques could not
make himself to leave; he STOOD rigid
and watched.
We'll, Madame?"
She tried to laugh, bat her hus-
bands face forbade that Gals could be
Il spark of lovers play.
We'll, Madame"
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 y most dangerous
man.
Why, Charles, what is the natter"
when did you meet him at SccauN?
What did YOU do?"
Meet Who?'
Don't lie TO me, woman, l am in no
mood for subterfuge."
She besought him with one f"ighteEs
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for protection, which he repealed; then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? I could not read it,
you held it so high" she sobbed.
The Chevalie- stopped down, picked
UP the crumpled paper from the earth.
and smoothed it out. He then handed
it to her, and regarded her face intent
ly as she read it.
careless you have been"
And my lady read the note; she, too,
read it again, the first reading not suf-
ficing 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, I know nothing of
this"
1T was always said. Madame, at
Sceaux, you could take the stage ana
play the parts of distressed and vir-
tuous damosels," he answered her,
coldly curling his lip.
Tell me, Madame, as you value your
soul, what is this Captain de Mouret to
you?"
AS I value my soul" my lady an
swered him direct and steadily. look
ing straight into his eyes. her own
hands folded across her heaving breast.
AS | value my soul, Charles, l know
nothing of him
what does he mean when he says
here 1 was hasty and too impulsive
when we parted in the chapel at
SceauX?"
Upon my honor, Charles, do not
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 untiinching, without guilt
or fear. The Chevalier turned and
caught sight of jacques, for the lou:,
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
followed it up religiously According
to his account of it, the Chevalier
looked at him straight through and
through until he dared not tell u lie
Mind that you tell HE the truth.
Who gave you this note?"
Captain de Mouret'
"When?"
Last night
"Where?'
AT his Quarte"S.'
TO whom did he say you should de-
liver it?"
ITO Madame Agnes dc la Mora
The chevalier stopped, picked up the
eneHlope, and reread the supcrScrip-
ton, handing it over to my lady, who
took it unSeeng.
Did he expect 4 reply?'
Yes, my lord"
And where did he say bring it?''
Bring it 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 it me, he
must have drained the stupid fellow
dry.
Then the chevalier turned to m,
lady with the utmost courtesy:
What say you, Madame, shall
bear your reply to this gentle captain
For by my faith, Madame, you require
more careful go-between than this
one more discreet and less glib OF
tongue
Charles, upon my honor, l know
nothing of all this; i have never seer
this Captain de Mouret."
He looked as if he did not hear her
He glanced at the sun. full two hour.
high, drew his sword and started tt
leave the garden.
He paused to doff his cap, and say
Il bear your message for you, Ma.
dame; verify, I am honored"
My lady neither screamed nor faint
ed during his questioning of Jacques
she stood and listened as one dazed
or who but Gimly understood The
cheNaiier strobe out sword in hand.
For shame, Charles" she called tt
him calmly enough, though she wa!
deadly pale, here is some wretchet
mistake
Yes, there docs appear to have beer
mlstake-in the delivery of thi.
precious billet. l will speedily make
that right
Charles, Charles."
He turned. Her bearing was full a.
proud as his He looked from, tha ,,-o
man TO the paper in his hand
We'll, if you know not this man
then he has wantonly inSulted you
shall await this Captain. de Moure
by the water. and there I shall know
the truth. He shall explain what mean:
TINS pretty letter to my Wife,
jacques watched her proudly cree