Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1904-06-11

CIV
Yes, 1 am Agnes dc la Mora. but
that note was not intended for me-"
came closer to Jaques, so close
indeed she laid her trembling hand up
on his sleeve.
Tell me-you know this Captain de
Mouret well-tell me II you would save
an innocent woman, has this Captain
de Mouret a love affair here? Answer
me, answer me truly, has he a love af-
fair, or-or a mistress?"
Her innocence and direct question
abashed jacques sorely and set him to
wondering what OF escapade
was this his master had got into.
Il Will go to her, be she what she
may, go to anybody; my husband must
not XIII this innocent man. No; and
mere L disturb myself about my own
reputation, while two lives are in jeop-
ardy. l must think, 1 must act-but
how"
And h broke down to weep again,
showing the woman in her that was
pehlnd so brave a front Her tears
We're not for long. Jacques felt it was
ms turn now to say something, so he
Numbered out, "see the governor" then
one whit better he went, II will see the
governor for you"
The good fellow had in that moment
for the first time realized that he could
stop the affair, and do IL he would If
he had to quit the colony. And she
such a lovely lady, so gentle with the
poor.
d you not fear to speak with him
OF such as this?"
No. Madame, Bienville's soldiers do
not fear him; they leave that for his
enemies
And so it fell out that jacques told
the governor. And he told him all.
IT was ever Bienville's wont TO act
with quick decision.
Order Major Boisbriant to report to
me at once" And off posted JACQUES
upon his errand.
That office attended with military
promptitude.
Major Boisbriant. do YOU seek on
the instant the Chevalier de la Mora.
ana bear him company wherever he
may go until you are relieved. Put
upon him no restraint, and say moth
ing or your having such orders from
me If you can avoid 1t. There is
trouble brewing here, which l want to
prevent; an affair Of honor, you under
stand. He has gone toward the land
ing on the bay. Be discreet and deli
cate"
Boisbriant nodded his comprehension,
saluted, and was gone. Bienville
turned to Jacques.
Saddle my horse at once and bring
him here"
1t was much later than I had hoped
before I could with decency return to
Biloxi. Impatient, childish and excited
l recrossed the bay, leaving a little de-
tail OF soldiers to watch beside the
body Of my friend. AS soon as l saw
Jacques on the other shore I knew
something had gone wrong. That
senseless knave was pacing uncertainty
about the beach, stopping here and
there to dig great holes in the sand
with his toe, and carefully filling them
up again. The fellow, ever on the
watch for me, was at III same time
watching the path from Biloxi. and
seemed to dread my coming. Instead
OF meeting me at the water. he waited
for me to approach him, thus leaving
the two boatmen out of hearing.
wen, give me the note; why stand
there like a driveling fool" for the fell
lows hesitant manne angered and
frightened me.
There is no note, SIR"
mo reply?'
The lady sent none"
"Why?"
Under my questions Jacques turned
red and pale, then he b%lundered out:
The Chevalier de la Mora said he
would bring the answer to you himself
at the shore"
He kept his eyes fast riveted upon
another hole he was digging in the
sand.
"The-chevalier?" I knew what that
meant. Great God! and this was the
end of 1t all.
Tell me, you bungling fool, wha
knows he Of this?"
Pardon, master; 1 thought no harm
OF 1t; you had never before employed
me on such an Grand"
1t was now my own turn to seek the
ground with my Eyes, SO just, so hum
bic was the rebuke.
Il thought no harm OF It, sir, and
gave it to madame in the garden: she
called upon the chevalier to read it
for her"
What said hep To her? Was he
violent?'
mo, sir, most polite; terribly polite,
and cool; but, master, you must not
meet him; he will kill you
OF this 1 had scant doubt.
III he make no sign as If he would
do her harm?"
mo, sir, not then, but he looked so
queer one could hardly say what he
meditated. l would not care to have
him look at me like that"
1 was paralyzed by the ~suddenness Of
the ill-fortune which had befallen, but
L was TO be allowed no day Of grace in
which to plan a line of conduct. My
face had been turned all this while
toward the sea, there being something
soothing to me about the long, ever
sweep Of those bright, blue waters in
the south.
Jacques faced the town. 1 noted a
deprecatory gesture, and following his
gaze saw the chevalier himself COM
Ing our way at a good round pace. My
knees did quake, and the veriest pol
troon might have well been ashamed
Of the overweening fear which pos
SaSSp6 me Tn 6pfanca nf u-hInh 7 N
say, / believe it was due in large part
to my great respect and fondness for
de la Mora, as we'll as a deep conscious
ness of the Justice of his cause. From
long habit / looked first to my weap-
ons, but for once felt no JOY in them.
Captain de Bouret," he greeted me
with a soldiers formal courtesy.
"Chevalier de la Mora"
Captain, 1 have he honor to return
to you a note which 1 believe bears
you name" and he handed me the I'M
fortunate billet.
Am I right? Is that your hand?"
/ scored to lie, n answered him
evenly:
1T is"
rs that note properly directed? To
Madame de Ia Mora?"
1T is, but"
Have o any explanation, sir. to
offer?"
For the life Of me 1 could think of
nothing to say; / could not tell him the
truth, neither could / lie to him with
grace. So 1 simply said:
1T was not her fault" probably the
worst remark 1 could have made.
Then, this note is true? You did
meet my wife by appointment In the
ruined chapel at Sceaux?"
mo, by my honor, there was no APP
pointment; 1 came pom her by chance,
and through no consent Of hers
And so you presumed to meet my
wife in a lonely place-which she de-
MES to me upon her honor, as you now
swear; you were there hot, impulsive
and hasty' which this honorable mis-