The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1906-11-15

. terests With as much zeal as II they
were his own And indeed they were
bis own, for her brother, NJ. de Vi
vonne, had gained everything for which
be yearBcds-m money, lands aud prefer.
meut through his sisters notorlety,
by nature bold. unscrnpulous and re-
4 s0urceful. be was not a man to lose the
q game without playing II out 10 the very
! end Keenly alert TO all that passed.
heard the rumor OF the kings intention
haunted the antechamber and drawn
his own conclusions from what be had
seen. Nothing had escaped hlm--tbe
disconsolate faces OF monsieur and OF
the dauphin. the visit Of Pere la Chaise
and Bossuet to the lady's room, her re-
turn, the triumph which shone In her
eyes as she came away from the inter.
view. He had seen Bontems hurry off
and summon the guardsman and his
friend. He had benrd them order their
horses 10 be brought out In couple Of
hours time, and finally from spy
whom he employed among the servants
5 he learned that an unwonted hustle
was going forward in Nine de Main
tenons ROOM that Mile. Nanon was
half wild with excitement and that two
court milliners had been hastily sum
moned TO madames apartment. 1t
was only however, when he heard
from the same servant that a chamber
was to be prepared for the reception
that night OF the archbishop Of Paris
that he understood how urgent was the
danger.
Nine. de Montespan had spent the
evening stretched upon sofa In the
worst possible humor with every one
around her There was the sound Of
an opening door and OF a quick step
In her anteroom. Was II the king, or
at least his messenger with a note
from hlmp
But, no; II was her brother, with the
haggard eyes and drawn face of man
who is weighed down with bis own
evil tidings. He turned as he entered,
fastened the door and then, stridIng
across the room, locked the other one
Which led to her boudoir
eve are safe from interruption" he
! painted. II have hastened here, for
every second may be invaluable. Have
you heard anything from the king?"
Nothing" She had sprung to her
feet.
'The hour has come for action, Fran
coise."
"What Is III"
"T'he king Is about to marry Nine.
de Malntenon"
"The goupernante! The widow Scar
ron. 1t is impossibler'
at Is certain that he will marry her." |
The woman flung out her hands in a
gesture Of contempt and laughed loud
and bitterly.
"fou are easily frightened, brother"
said she. "Ah you do not know your
little sister Perchance II you were
not my brother you might rate my
powers more highly. One day Is all |
ask TO bring him back"
"But you cannot have It. The mar
rlage Is tonight"
You are mad Charles"
81 am certain of IT," In few bro.
ken sentences he shot out all that he
had seen and heard. She listened with
grim face and hands which closed
ever tighter and tighter as he pro
ceeded
II shall go and see him." she cried
sweeping toward the door.
mo, no, Francoise Believe me, you
will ruin everything II you do. Strict
orders have been given TO the guard
10 admit no one 10 the king"
Had ] only day, Charles, am
sure that | could bring him back to
me. There has been some other In
fiuence here-that mcddlesome Jesuit
or the pompous Bossuet, perhaps. Only
one day TO connteract their wiles.
Charles. II must be stopped say II
must be stopped will give anything.
everything 10 prevent Iti'
What viii you give, my sister,
She looked at him aebast. WHAT
You do not wish me to buy your she
said.
mo, but wish 10 buy others"
"Hal You see chance. thenr'
zone, and one only. But time
presses. want money!
How muchf
II cannot have too much--all that
you can spare"
With hands which trembled with en-.
gerness she unlocked secret cup
board in the wall In which she con
ceaied her valuables. A blaze OF jew.
elry met her brothers eyes as be /.
peered over her shoulder. AZ one side ,
were three dra sers, the one over the
other She drew out the lowest one.
II WAS FUN 10 the brim with glittering
louis d'ors
Take what you willT' she said
"And now your plant QuIckr'
lie stuffed the money In handouts in
20 The side pockets OF his coat Coins
slipped between his fingers and tin. :,
killed. and wheeled over the floor, but !,
neither cast i glance at them
Your planT she repeated.
we must prevent the archbishop
from arriving here. Then the mar
Rage would be postponed until tomor
row night"
"Iui how preven, iiT
There are dozen good rspiers y
about the court which are to be bought 0
for less than / carry la one pocket I {
iwiH gather them together and wait on a
yhe road-" d
"And wsyiay the archbishop d
sNo. the messengers"
"0b. excellent. You are prince OF
sAeihers' II no message reach Paris
We are saved Co 80: DO lot lose '
moment" Il
III is very well, Francoie, bot what
are we 70 DO with them when we get O