Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-11-24

u tuS CUaCuA1us
 He said nothing.
 T repeat, sir, that there is some mis- take. This is the carriage of my broth CT, M. de vivonne, and he Is not man who will allow his sister to be treated uncourteously."
 A few heavy drops of rain splashed against one window. The clouds were lower and denser. She had quite lost sight of that motionless figure, but 1t was all the more terrible to her now that 1t was unseen. She screamed with sheer terror.
 "Sir," she cried, clutching forward with her hands and grasping his sleeve, you frighten me. You terrify me. I have never harmed you. Why should you wish to hurt an unfortunate wo- man? Oh, speak to me, for Gods sake, speak!'
 Still the batter of rain upon the win dow and no other sound save her own sharp breathing.
 Perhaps you do not know who I ann" she continued, endeavoring to as- sume her usual tone of command, and talking now to an absolute and im- penetrable darkness. You may learn when 1t is too late that you have chosen the wrong person for this pleas antry. I am the Marquise de Montes- pan, and I am not one who forgets a slight If you know anything of the court you must know that my word has some weight with the king. If you would o Jesus! Have mercy"
 A livid Hash of lightning had burst from the heart of the cloud and for an instant the whole countryside and the interior of the caleche were as light as day. The mans face was within a hand breadth of her own, his mouth wide open, his eyes mere shining slits. convulsed with silent merriment. Every detail flashed out clear in that vivid light-his red quivering tongue. the lighter pink beneath 1t, the broad white teeth. the short brown beard cut into a peak and bristling forward.
 But 1t was not the sudden flash; 1t was not the laughing. cruel face. which shot an ice cold shudder through Fran coise de Montespan. It was that. of all men upon earth, this was he whom she most dreaded and whom she had least thought to see.
 'Mauricew she screamed. Maurice! It is youY'
 "Yes, little wife, it is I. We are re- stored to each others arms, you see, after this interval"
 "Oh, Maurice. how you have fright ened me! How could you be so cruel? Why would you not speak to met"
 Because 1t was so sweet to sit in d. lence and to think that I really had you to myself after all these years, with none to come between. An, little wife. I have often longed for this hour"
 'T have wronged you, Maurice; I have wronged you! Forgive mer'
 We do not forgive in our family, my darling Francoise."
 You may kill me if you will." she moaned.
 T will" said he simply.
 Still the carriage flew along, jolting and staggering in the deeply rutted country roads. The storm had passed, but the growl of the thunder and the faroff glint of lightning flash were to be heard and seen on the other side 'Sfrne nedvellD.
 .whsrs ass you taking mer' she ask ed at last.
 ''To Portillac. my little wifle."
 And why there7 What would you do to mel"
 T would silence that little lying tongue forever. It shall deceive no more men"
 'fou would murder mel You have stone for heart"
 Tt is true. My vther was given to a woman"
 "Oh, my sins arc indeed punished. Can do notdlng to atoner'
 T will see that you atone"
 You have sword by your side, Maurice. Why do you not kill me. then. if you are so bitter against mel Why do you not pass 1t through my heartT'
 Rest assured that would have done 30 had not an excellent reason"
 "why, thenY
 T will tell you. At Portillac have the right of the high justice. the mid dle md the low. I am selgneur there. and can try, condemn and execute It is my lawful privilege. This pitiful king will not even know how to avenge you. for the right is mine and he can not galnsay 1t without making an en- emy of every seigneur in France"
 He opened his mouth again and laughed at hIs own device. while she. In every limb. turned away from hIs cruel face and glowing eyes and buried her face in her hands. Once more she prayed God to forgive her for her poor sinful life. So they whirl- cd through the night behind the clat- terinz horses. the husband and wife saying nothing. but with hatred and fear raging i1 their hearts. until a brazier fire shone down upon them from the angle of a keep and the shad- ow of the huge pile loomed vaguely up In front of them in the darkness. It was the castle of Portillac.