The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1904-04-29
CHAPTER XVII.

'AANa1 AlSI III SJN
And he told her.
/ CHAPTER XVII.
THE FLIGHT FROM SCEAUX.
The responsibility brought by thu
possession of such valuable state pa.
pers oppressed me greatly, to sayn moth.
Ing of the perils which would bese,
their custodian if it became erome's
to reclaim them. l thought il
most prudent and proper under pres
ent conditions to see the dispatches
SAFE IN de Serigny's hands-then, al
least, l would be absolved from an,
blame In the matter. Serigny held me
responsible, and it would perhaps be
the part of wisdom to act independent
~ or erome. report fully to Serigny
ana IT 1t were then his wish that the
inNestlgatlon concerning Ward and
Madame du Maine be pressed 10 fur
ther discoveries. nothing would be
easier than to return to Paris almost
before Jerome could miss me. l need
tell Serlgny nothing of my suspicion
of Jerome; even if true, his animosity
would vanish with the cause which
gave it birth.
There was much to acquaint Serigny
with, much perchance he knew already.
Paris swarmed with rumors. Ever lr
was busy with secondhand GOSSIP
coming. as each relator declared,
from the most reliable sources.
My. cousin, who is laundress to
the de Lanois. says" and
upon this Immaculate authority the
butcher upon his morning rounds de-
tailed the most delightful and impos-
slble gossip to his customers.
Pierre. my son. the valet, who is In
the confidence of the Duke of Gesyres
heard his grace GO " with III, lr,, ,;-.,,
and so the wine room stories flew,
gathering strength and falsehood as
they went. But the story of TODAY
gave the lie to thai of yesterday, and
no man knew the truth.
War with Spain filled every mouth,
yet none had a why or a wherefore.
Inc KING said war" and all his nation
echoed. No. not all. Many there were
who gave voice to the cry with hearts
that rebelled. with clear brains oues.
tlonlng the right of one man to plunge
a whole people into renewed Slaughter.
THESE held their peace for the sake of
their necks. II am the State" Louis
had declared, and such ideas were not
for the canaille to have; they must
curb their tongues to cheat the gibbet.
Being a soldier and under orders, 1 had
no right to form opinions. but, sobered
In some degree by these reflections,
- @oook III IL INN III Ii lax
horse and away.
In the name OF the wandering
ulysses. Placide: where have you been
w good hours?" said erome.
suddenly coming toward me.
Has 1T been SO long? I tired of the
crowd and strolled alone through the
gardens"
His quick eye caught sight of the
handkerchief tucked snugly in my belt.
"a 1a1vp nj II, u -.
ed me.
My tell-tale flush permitted no denial,
did I care to discuss it. AS we
talked we drifted into a small room
lust off the main hall.
b the way. Placide, had we better
place u dispatches in some safe
hiding until we leave here? 1t might
be suspected we have them. The devil
only knows what that scheming de
and du Maine may not I'M
Their spies are everywhere"
I agreed with him. It was as we'll:
anything to gain time and allay sus-
But l understood my lady's
warning vas true; his e~arnestness con
WINGED me.
Where do you carry them7"
Sewn in the lining of my cloak" I
replied. A lie, but pardonable.
Why. you careless fellow; they may
be lost. Where Is your cloak?" seeing
I did not have it.
"In charge of Damien; he is trusty."
Better have it yourself; wait here,
I will go and fetch It,"
l congratulated myself on this dip
stroke. for Jerome was about
start off in haste when Damien him
self appeared. and before I could stop
him. delivered the message.
THE horses are saddled and at the
go and wait with them"
Jerome had taken my cloak from the
arm. for in fact he had 1t,
and now laid it across his knee. HIS
blank expression showed utter aston
lshment at the disclosure.
What does this meant We arc to
rest here tonight7"
mo; I ride to Parish
"Why?"
II am afraid"
"Of what?"
"oe everything. We are in the house
Of our enemies, and 1t is the quality of
courage to be discreet"
During this brief dialogue Jerome
was stealthilv running his hands
the lining of my cloak until
he comprehended I had misled him.
could almost put his thought In
words Together we arose, laying each
our hands upon the half-closed door,
he to hold it. l to open it. steady-eyed,
and each reluctant to cause the breach
knew must come.
"Placide. the papers are not here"
he said in a quiet tone. yet full of de-
II know It,"
why have you deceived me then?"
he could mask his purpose no long
er. Hand me those dispatches"
NO. My orders are to place them in
hands of Serigny."
But l must have them"
And l tell you as firmly, you can
Listen captain" he begged in al
tered tones, those dispatches may