Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1906-08-02

4oCIll1 anu HC WdltCu lOI al duSNtI
with parted lips and a shadow in his
eyes which l had seen in mems eyes
before.
mo-" | said. THAT was my mothers
name. | took it for this occasion only"
His ford cheek lost a shade of its
color and he bit his lips as he glanced
at the lieutenant, trouble in his eyes.
/ had seen these signs before, and knew
them and might have cried "Chicken-
hearth" in my turn; but had not
made a way of escape for him-bcfore
l declared myself-for nothing and l
held to my purpose. 81 think you will
allow me-" I said grimly, that it will
not harm me ever if l put up with q
blow!"
IN. de Berault's courage is known"
he muttered.
"And with reason" l said. "That
being so, suppose We say this day three
months, NJ. lie Capitaine? The post.
ponement to be for my convenience"
He caught the lieutenant's eye and
looked down sullenly, the conflict in his
mind as plain as daylight. He mad only
to insist and l must fight; and if by
luck or skill he could master me, his
fame as a duellist would run, like a
ripple over water, through every garri-
son town in France and make him a
name even in Paris. On the other side
were the imminent peril of death, the
CLEAN OF cold steel already in fancy at
his breast, the loss Of life and sun.
shine and the possibility of o retreat
with honor, if without glory. I read
his face and knew before he spoke
what he would do.
"It appears to me that the burden Is
with you," he said huskily; "but for
my part, I am satisfied"
every WE'LL" | said, 81 take the bur-
den. Permit me to apologize for hay
ing caused you to strip unnecessarily.
Fortunately the sun is shining"
yes" he said gloomily. And he took
his clothes from the sundial and began
to put them on. He had expressed
himself satisfied; but I knew that he
was feeling very dissatisfied with him
self and I was not surprised when he
presently said abruptly and almost
rudely, "There is one thing l think we
must settle here"
What is that" I asked.
"Our positions" he blurted ont.
Cor we shall cross one another again
within the hour" "
"Umph! I am not quite sure that I
understand" l said.
That is precisely what I don't do
ls*lerstand!" he retorteG, in a tone of
sdr,y triumph. Before came on
this duty I was told that there was a
gentleman here bearing sealed orders
from the cardinal to arrest M. de
Cochaioret; and I was instructed to
avoid collision with him so far as
might BE- possible. At first l took YOU
for the gentleman. But the plague
take me- # l understand the matter
now"
why no." I said coldly.
"Because--well, the matter is in a
NUTSHELL" he answered im~petlously.
Are you here on behalf of Madam de
Cocheforet to shield her husband? Or
are you here IL arrest him? That il
what I don't understand, M. lie
Berau1t."
eff you meal, am l the cardinals
AGENT ami" l answered sternly.
"To arrest NJ. de Cocheforet?"
"To arrest M. de Cocheforet."
"Well-you surprise me-" he said.
Only that; but he spoke SO dryiv
that I felt the blood lush to my face
"Take care, Monsieur" l said severely.
do not lresume too far on the incon-
venience 10 which your death might
put me-"
He shrugged his shoulders. "No Of
fense!" he said. But you do not
seem, M. de Berault, to comprehend
the difficulty. If we do not settle things
now, we shall be pickering 20 times a
day"
"Wel!, what do you want?" l asked
impatiently.
"Simply to know how you are going
to proceed. So that u plans may not
clash"
But surely, M. lie Capitaine, that is
my AFFAIR."" I replied.
THE clashing" he answered bitter
ly. Then he waved aside my wrath.
Pardon" he said, "the point is sim
ply this: How d, YOU propose to find
him if he is here?"
THAT again is my affair."" ! an
swered.
He threw ZIP hi. hands in despair:
but in a moment his place was takes
by an unexpected dlspntant. The liell-
tenant, who stood by all the timo.
listening and tugging at his gray
moustache. suddenly spoke. Look
here, M. de Berault," he said, con.
fronting me roughly, 81 do not fight
duels. ! am from the ranks. l aroved
my courage at Montauban in '21, and
my honor is good enough to take care
OF itself. So l say what l like and !;
ask you plainly what M. lie Captain,
doubtless mas in his mind but does not
ask: Are you running with the harn
and hunting with the hounds in this
matter? In other woi is, have you
thrown up monseigneurs commission
in all but name and become madan's
ally; or-it is the only other alter
native-ara you getting at the man
through the women"
"You villain" | cried, glazing at
him in such a rage and fury I could
scarcely get the words out, This was
plain speaking With a vengeance!
How dare you! How dare you say