The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-02-05
ard me nold,ng out his hand in recon

ard me holding out hts hand in recon
Citation.
Isl ask thy pardon. cornrade; / too,
am a soldier. though but an Indifferent
on4 in these peaceful times. We mis-
o thee. and l huDeey ask thy par
DON
or course. I could bear no malice
against h fellow. and he seeming sim
cere, 1 suffered him to present me to
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
man. o cripple. who. the center OF a
more sedate group. was we'll within
hearing. The deformed duke Of Maine.
I thought. rival OF Orleans for the Re-
gency. Tne ladies I woI!ay lave will
lingly escaped. but they would not hear
of It. and sooni.I was surrounded by q
%chattering group, asking a thousand
and glory beyond the seas. Right glad
was I when one Of the gallants pointed
out q thoughtful. looking gentleman
who walked slowly through the eastern
gate.
OF olSIlvlllS, Your HVtSIuOEs sNHef d. at5
''That de Serigny? 2" repeated. then
I must leave you. for I would speak to
him." and I bowed myself of with
what grace I could muster. knowing
naught of such matters. A brisk walk
fetched me to Serigny's side. In a few
words I communicated my mission.
Hir 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. time for business after
a while. Let us enjoy the beauties Of
the garden"
My spirits fell. Gould this be Q
brother Of the stern Bienville. this the
man upon whom my governors for
tunes now sc largely depended? His
foppish manner impressed me very dis
agreeably. and, in no pleasant frame OF
mind, I stalked along by his side list
ening to h 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 h lock than his
face showed the keenest interest. AZ
ter satisfying himself Of my identity
and giancing through the packet which
I now handed him, ne gave vent to an
exclamation Of intense relief.
>lSOt e Ady lOO SOO1l, lily QGdI Zap
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 his matter in a few
days, tomorrow, probably. Chamillard
Is against us; he seems all powerful
now; the king loves him for his trucu-
lence. But these will help. yes, these
will help" And again he ran through
the various papers with business-like
swiftness. His fashionable air and the
perfumed handkerchief were alike laid
aside. Now I could see the resem-
blance between min and his sturdy
brother.
Tomorrow, yes. tomorrow, my lad
pardon me the familiarity, Captain de
my hand raised in protest. Tomorrow
we must net. 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
blurted u before ! thought.
"You7" he repeated in unconcealed
astonishment. >
Eyes. l." 1 replied, for I was now
well INTO 1t. and determined to wade
through: besides I loved my old COM
mander. and would venture much in
his service.
Then I told serigny OF the occurrence
In the garden. Or enough to let him un-
derstand why I 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 g and doubts even
his ministers. It is quite possible he
may question you Of affairs in the coll
onies. II so. speak out, and freely, too.
my lad; Louis loves the plain truth
when 1t touches not his princely per-
son OF his vanities. God grant that we
may win"
serfgny then told me much Of the.
petty trickery Of the court in order that
q might understand how the land lay.
Continued Next week.)