The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1906-03-09
9A ROSE OF a
NORMANDY
WILLIAM r. A. WILSON
So
CHAPTER XVI -CoNrINuED
WILLIAM R. 4. WILSON

" >NbAS o&hJ 49,
with real distress to encourage the
sufferer. Madame BLIZZARD appeared fro
Q,lently too, telling her of the outside
world and urging her to a quick con-
valescence. But somehow the desire
10 recover was LACKING in the patient
II was az though a spring had snapped
within her loavinG inertia instead OF
energy. and a desire to slumber on In
eweet forgetfulnesn rather than tho
determination to resume the weary
load Ut life again. But her release
was not to be, and as she slowly be-
gan TO regain ground she found relief
and her, chiefest pleasure in the COM
partnership of the nuns who nursed
her Their life In itJ seclusion and
usefulness appealed to her heart, and
gradually the fancy fcf d religious life
became strengthened l., a determine
tion. Her W existence would always
be a blank. and could she do better
than to MI out her remaining years in
the service of God? He had evidently
had a purpose in permitting her to
live- almost against her will.
When she first told Frontenac Of her
decision ne ntormed and swore he
would ship her back to France; then.
as he saw that she remained mistaken
in her resolution, he finally suggested
q compromise to which she agreed.
This was that she was to remain with
the nuns for two years as a donnee or
religious helper who has taken NO
VOWS. IF, after this novitiate she still
persisted In her purpose, lie would
offer no objection to her entering the
sisterhood. He hoped that In so long
q period events would alter conditions
In France so that she could be sent
home In safety.
1t WINS indeed the Comte de Miron
whom Renee had seen as she looked
out Of the window. Tonti's sword
point In entering his breast had touched
a rib and, glancing upwards. had
wounded the lung tissue severely,
barely missing the heart. Tho copious
hemorrhage that followed well-nigh
strangled him. His faithful eoachman
finding that he still breathed bad taken
him to a house on the outskirts Of
Paris. called a lcech and summoned
one Of the Comics friends, whose
name he had given him before tho
duel for use in any such emergency.
Together they combated the enormous
loss of blood and weakness that fol.
lowed. On convalescing. his friend.
learning of the kings expression of
satisfaction in the supposed death Of
the Comte, hurried him away to an
estate In Brittany. There they abode
together for man. months, riding and
hunting.
As spring came his faithful conf
aant went to Paris to ses.if it were safe
for him to come to life again. He re-
turned In a month With bad news.
One Of the Comics numerous pecula-
tions in the state funds. which he had
committed while secretary to Colbert.
had come to light, rendering 1t hazard
pus for him to appear again in Paris or
EVEN remain in France, for If by any
chance he were apprehended it would
mean the loss of his head. According
iy, they laid their plans and he was
hurried aboard the next ship that
sailed for New France. This happened
to be the one on which Renee travelled.
Both Of them seeking to escape OBJ
scrvation seldom left their cabins.
Hence 1t raj that each was ignorant
Of the others presence.
Bearing q letter to Ouch esneau from
. friend, the Comte presented himself
1T the palace Immediately upon his ar
rival. Staying at the palace he soon
became acquainted with all OF Duchess