The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1904-11-02

6o uiu w lc lUO Iurn-
ed his eye to II narrow blank window
! under the shingle roof.
Louis will send another messenger
when the news reaches France! When
1T reaches France!" he muttcred. Then
more slowly, "When 1T reaches France!
He stood musing n moment, turned
and entered the door,
The radiant Frenchman that evening,
! returning to the Swan afoot through
the late dusk fall, went UP the tavern
stair to find that the door of his cham
Der stood ajar. An exclamation of sur
prise escaped him. He mounted quick
ly and went I'm.
waiting.
"Ahw said the secretary. His eye
darted swiftly to his chest in the cor
ner. Then he crossed the room and
tried the lid. 1t had not been opened
II am no common thief, curse itv'
spat out Jarrat
Mop observed Armand with ris-
Ing infection. Monsieur will pardon
me. i did not know" He sat down
composedly. "To what do owe this
pleasureW tentatively.
Jarrat leaned elbows on the table
and regarded him. "You are no fool"
he said at length. "All the better"
Nj. Armand wore look of polite in
quiry.
My word for It," said Jarrat sudden
ly, there are richer paymasters than
Louis XVI."
Tho othor frontad hin, aoroo,,, ,,,o,,
| acingly. "What mean your" he cried.
Jarrat laughed. "You see that /
know what was the marquis business
in the colonies"
He went and closed the door.
Now" he said, returning an. Ar
mand, master secretary, clerk of dead
master, 1 have propositions to make
to YOU"
"And it," said the young foreigner
slowly half hour later, looking across
into the ferret eyes = "if / do this
what you call it?-masquerade; IL I,
the humble secretary, the clerk, as you
have said 1T, become changed for the
purposes OF my lord the earl to the
| courtier the noble"-
He paused. They were sitting at
! ease now, and on Jarrat's face salts
faction was spread thinly, like oil. The
ingratating mood became him, and his
| companion's distrustful look had van
ished into something that smacked
more Of friendliness.
"Think you not" the latter finished,
that these Virginians will know the
difference?"
'Sblood" scoffed Jarrat. "What
know they here in the desert of French
nobles2 No more than my lord bishop
of London's scullery maidw
An expression of curious intentness
lurkcd in Armand's face. He was 81
lent, searching the other with half
| smiling gaze.
"And the life. Like you balls and
dances with the quality? You shall be
| sought after. Would you set the fash
ions for the gallants? They Will jostle
tho lackeys to hob with you Gad's
life! The colonials are cubs at boot
licking Il lord! The fat of the land, I
tell you--rides, hunts, dances, wenches
and q merry season.
The secretary's eyes sparkled. "You
think | would do it well2" he asked
naivoly. "Ah, YOU never saw my mas
ter! He was n real nobleman. He
WAS born SO. One cannot learn 1t,
monsieur. 1t is in the blood. But I?
[? | have not the ton, the address?"
Hc looked inquiringly at the other.
"Pshaw" Jarrat said. I suppose
your master was fine enough, but fine
feathers will do 1t. There's not one of
tlicm will scent the difference. | know
Them
NJ. Armands lids were dropped, his
face thoughtful.
"You wish me-" he reflected slowly,
"to do two things My master, as Won
have guesscd-he was to be the eve of
the king of France i'm the Yirginias
very good. You want me TO be that
eye. only l shall see things always
bad for the Wings, ch? And YOU would
hNNe me write such letters as you shall
name, but In my masters hand. so
Louis shall be loolcd, so he Shall think
the Niiginius loyal to the English
crown, so lie shall no .ongcr plan TO
offer the aid of France"
l. "Sooth,' applaudcd Jarlat, at couldn't
be palmer. You have wcitten to your
masters hand and should know his sig
nature. Neither De vergennes nor
Beaumarchais need be the wiser, and
be sure no one In the colonies will be-"
And If in spite of what were written
him this foolish king should still wis,,
10 comfortf'
why, then the message he sends to
his dear marquis VIII come safe to you,
and we shall chuckle over 1t in our
closets. But small chance of that. The
King leaned upon your master. A dozen
ietters OF the proper complexion and he
VIII forget he ever dreamed of fleets
a-sailing westward"
You have the true finessc, NJ. lie
Oapitaine," Nj. Armand said gravely.
Permit me TO congratulate YOU"
The reward is tidy onep Jarrat
icked exc. ne words lingerIngly. "Twould