Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-11-24


 iNb0lDlu D>u Ds
 Tho kings eyes had caught the angry slcam which shot from hers, and yet he strove hard to set curb upon his temper. He felt that 1t was for him to do 50, and yet 1t did not come kindly to his imperious nature.
 There h nothing to be gained, ma dame" said he. 'by using words which arc neither seemly for your tongue no' for my ears. You will do me the jus tee to confess that where might com mand I am now entreating."
 "Oh, you show too much eonsidera ton. sire! Our relations of twenty years or so can scarce suffice to ex p!aIa such forbearance from you."
 Your words are bittes. madame Francoisc, be reasonable implore you We have both loft our youth behind"
 "The allusion to my years comes gracefully from your lips"
 "Ah, you distort my words. Then l shall say TO more. You may not see me again, madame. Is there no ques- ton which you would wish to ask me before go?''
 Good God" she cried, "is this . mani Has 1t heart? Are these the lips which have told me so often that he loved mel Are these the eyes which have looked So fondly into mine? Can you then thrust away a woman whose life has been yours as you put away the St. Germain palace when more showy one was ready for you? And this is the end of all those VOWS. those sweet whispers, those per. suasions, those promises-this!
 May, madame. this Is painful to both of us."
 .'Pain! Where is the pain in your face? see anger in 1t because l have dared to speak truth. I see joy in 1t because you feel that your vile task is done"
 My patience can bear no morer' cried the king furiously. T leave you. madame. and forever!'
 But her fury had swept all fear and discretion from her mind. She step ped between the door and him, her face flushed, her eyes blazing. her face thrust little forward, one small white satin slipper tapping upon the carpet
 You are in haste, sire? She Is wait ing for you doubtless. But 1t was a disappointment last night. was 1t not, my poor sire? An. and for the govern. ess, what blow! Great heaven, what a blow! No archbishop. % marriage. all the pretty plan gone wrong! Was 1t not cruel"
 Louis gazed at the beautiful, furious face In bewilderment and 1t flashed across his mind that perhaps her griei had turned her brain. Whot elgo. could be the meaning of this wild talk of the archbishop and the disappolntment7 It would be unworthy of him to speak harshly to one who was 50 afflicted. He must soothe her. and. above all, he must get away from her.
 You have had the keeping of a good many of my family jewels" said he. T beg that you will still retain them as small sign of my regard"
 He had hoped to please her and to calm her. but in an instant she was over at her treasure cupboard hurling double handfuls of precious stones down at his feet. They clinked and rattled. the little pellets of red and yellow and green. rolling, glinting over the floor and rapping up against the oak panels Ut the base of the walls.
 'They will do for the governess if the archbishop comes at last. she cried.
 He was more convinced than ever that she had lost her wits. A thought struck him by which he might appeal to all that was softer and more gentle in her nature He stepped swiftly to the door. r'A ed 1t half open and gave . whispe., rder. A youth with long golden h. waving down over his black velvet doublet entered the room. 1t was her youngest son. the Count of Toulouse.
 T thought that you would wIsh to bid him farewell" said Louis.
 She stood staring as though unable to realize the significance of his words. Then 1t was borne suddenly In upon her that her children as we'll as her lov. CT were to be taken from her. that this other woman should see them and speak with them and win their love while she was far away. All that was evil and bitter in the woman flushed suddenly up in her until for the instant she was what the king had thought her. If her son was not for her then he should be for none. A jeweled knife lay among her treasures ready to her hand. She caueh. 1t up and rushed at the covering lad.
 Louis screamed and ran forward to stop her, but another had been swifter than be. A woman had darted through tie open door and had caught the up raised wrist There was e moments struggle. two queenly figures swayed and strained. and the knife dropped between their feet. The frightened Louis caught 1t up. and selxtng his little son by the wrist. De rushed from the apartment Francoise de Moufes- pan staggered back against the otto man to nnd herself confronted by the steady eyes and set face of that other IFrsncoise, the woman whose presence he'll Ike c shadow at every turn of her