The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-04-01
else Of xaua ana gifts. they

| whatever else of xatia ami gifts. they
may have, yet require love and ten
derness and gentle sympathy beside.
Happy is she who receives all these
from her husband; and that husband
treads dangerous ground who denies
1T to her. 1 see your wonder at hear
ing this from me-; but I have thought
constantly pom such things. Peste!
this touches not u business; let us
go on. Through this lady's husband,
n by another source of information.
I hope to find the truth concs-Elng
Ward. Do you follow me?"
Yes, but how?" / put in. when I
run my neeE. into a halter, I ant to
know whose hands are playing with
the cord"
Never fear for her. Madame-that
is. TIE lady-has a firm hold upon the
Due du Maine himself, in fact h Is
quite Indispensable to him. Don't ask
me for more. Once let the Due be
made Regent. and my oldtime sweet
hear OF those innocent days In Anjou
will be the most powerful woman in
France. Burt with all that, Placide,"
and the mans quivering voice went
straight to the very tenderest core of
my heart for the depths of bitterness 1t
contained, "in spite OF it all she'd ratser
be back in the country breathing the
pure and peaceful air, a guiltless and
happy girl. than to live as she does.
and rule the land. God knows I wish
we had never seen Paris"
l held my tongue; there was nothing
I could say He felt his trouble keen
ly enough, and / refrained from mold
ing my undesired sympathy into words.
Directly, Jerome took heart and spoke
again:
Those are he conditions. I merely
make the best Of them. There is still
another friend OF mine at Sceaux, the
Chevalier Charles de la Mora, q most
gallant soldier and kindly gentleman.
Verify. they are scarce now In France.
He has fallen into misfortunes of late
and is about to take some command in
the colonies. I love him much, and am
sorely tempted to cast my lot with his.
But, you understand why I stay" and
he lifted up his hands with a gesture of
perfect helplessness.
His wife, Madame Agnes-almost a
girls one OF the most beautiful and
clever women in France, and who. by
way of novelty. loves her own husband.
Women are queer sometimes. are they
not? Tomorrow we go to Sceaux; 1t
will at least be an experience to o
even should nothing good come Of 1t.
Do you agree?"
My curiosity was thoroughly aroused.
and seeming sport of a rare character
! agreed to Join the chase. 1t was
judged best hat we should make all
things ready for an immediate journey
Sceaux.
Before we slept, my few serviceables
were put in position for instant de-
parture.
\"
When I arose in the morning Jerome
had already left his bed. I supposed 1t
was out of consideration for what he
was still nlaacad 10 rnpSi1ay nv II
condition that he refrained from walk
Ing me. Claude came tripping in late
with h message that NJ. de Greville
had gone to make some last
ments for u journey. I slept so
restfully through the night my fatigue
episode at Bertrand's had quite worn
away, n I felt refreshed and strong
again. When F1orine came to inquire
for my health she found me busted
about the packing. I greeted her kind
ly, for in truth my gratitude was deep
and sincere.
Monster is preparing to leave" she
asked as II more than afraid Of a reply.
I could see h had some purpose in the
question.
YES. 1 leave Paris today"
To-Day" she echoed.
Yes. u I would return and hnd 70.
again; I could not depart from France
\ AAAiAAAA6 LA lAidlAhll1s JOO lOE
all your kindness. In truth I am glad
you came, for" I tried to say on
more. but the words left my lips
sounding SO cold n meaningless the
sentence died away incomplete.
Florine stood there. vaguely watch
ing me as though she did not under
stand.
Leave France?" she repeated, her
mi expressing the hope she had not
heard Alright.
I had already said much more than
of Jerome's Intentions, and desired to
say nothing which would reveal them.
Leave France?" she urged again,
Monsieur" she halted for the word
quite naturally.
DE Mouret," I supplied, and for the
first time she knew my name; surely 1t
was little enough to trust one with
who had given me my life.
"Monsieur de Mouret Is to leave
France?"
Yes" 1 answered her truly, but not
today, possibly not for several days.
I would not go away without seeing
you again"
I felt my tone become warmer as I
thought OF all this girl had risked for
me, and SO blundered on Uncertainty.
What was I to do? What could I offer
her in repayment? Not gold; she had
refused hat with the air Of a grande
marquise the night she first helped me
from Bertrand's.
Heartily wishing for some of Jerome's
finesse and tact, I gazed at her, stupid
and silent, watching the tears gathertn
her eyes. I could only guess the
thought which was passing in her
mind, and even there I wronged her.
" ~.