The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1906-08-23
A LIFE THE
WAGER

PARADISE street stood a beautiful young
woman. watching through the misty
afternoon the street below. Evidently
she was waiting for the coming Oi
some one very dear TO her
The youthful Marchioness de Mont
vile was the three months bride oi
young Philip de Montyille, a royalisi
who had no sympathy with the con
sulate Of Napoleon. although admiring
the great COrsican's military genius.
AS she heard the familiar foOtstep IN
the hallway, the marchioness ran from
the window TO the door, almost literal
ly falling into the arms OF her hand
some husband.
bad news" said he, in response tc
the first question his wife asked him
They have arrested several of ouI
men and the whole party has been be
trayed. ! am liable TO be taken any
moment"
What a senseless thing that was,
said the marchioness, TO explode an
internal machine near Bonaparte's
carriaae as he was on his way 10 the
opera. As usual, only the innocent
were injured. Dear, why have you not
LETT France?"
1t would be cowardly for me to de.
sert my post just because it Is a dan
gerogs one"
But if your presence here should be
discovered, we are lost; Bonaparte
would never pardon you; he is Corsi-
can, you know"
Come what may, will not quit my
post"
Dear Philip, what will become of
me If they take you from me? | know |
should die; could not live without
you"
~Bluette, you know | adore you but
there are immortal principles which
demand even the greatest sacrifice"
The principle which demands the
greatest sacrifice Of all is your love for
me" the marchioness cried passion
ately.
open; in the name of the law,
open!"
The marquis calmly unwound his
wife's arms from about his neck.
walked to the door and opened it. Four
terrifying men entered.
You are the so-called Marquis de
Montyille?" asked the leader.
Il am the Marquis de Montyille;
what Of it?" was the fearless reply.
You are charged with conspiracy
against the life OF the first consul.
Follow usl"
Real nobleman. Philip de Montville
did not deny the accusation. A kiss
upon the lips OF Bluette, a hasty good
by and he was gone.
For hours the marchioness lay as one
in a trance. When she awoke her
heart was a prey to the most poignant
grief Suddenly the thought came to
her that she ought 10 make an effort
to save her husbands life. But now?
She would appeal to Bonaparte him
self.
Presenting herself at the Tuilleries,
she was stopped by functionary who
asked her what her business. was"
Il wish to see the first consul"
Impossible"
1T is something connected with the
explosion of the internal machine the
other night"
See the chief Of police. Fouche Up
one fight third door to the left"
Fouche, who even at the height Of
the revolution. always kept in touch
with the aristocrats, was easily per-
suaded 10 lead the marchioness into
the presence OF the first consul.
The latter was seated at a table
playing chess with Junot. Around
them were a group of ladies in elegant
toilets and onicers in snowy uniforms.
Before Napoleon had noticed the en-
trance into the room of the marcnion-
ess. she had thrown herself at his feet.
"Pardonl" she cried.
For whom" asked the first consul,
without deigning to raise his eyes from
the chess board.
For Philip de Montvi!le."
What" cried Napoleon. bringing
his clenched fist down upon the table
so violently that the chessmen tot
tered; "one of those soundrels who
have set their heart on killing me? One
OF those rebels who started the upris-
ing in La Nendee? Why, he was
wounded in an attack on the republic.
Is not that so. Fouche?"
Absolutely SO. citizen consul"
I'VE must exterminate these royal
istsi" cried Napoleon. Il shall not
pardon one Of them
Have mercy!" the marchioness ap-
pealed He is young, he was led into
it by others. We have besn married
only a few months; he is hardly Of
age. and. general, in striking lown
him. you also strike me down. for |
cannot live without him"
There was a silence in the room as
turned the glare OF his eagle