Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-01-23

nom du Diable!" he cried. his face
crimson with rage. What fool placed
these things here? My boots? My"
His jaw fell. He stopped on the word,
stricken silent by the new aspect Of
the room, by the sight of the little
party at the table, by all the changes
had worked. Saint siege!" he NUT
tered. What is this?" The lieutenant's
grizzled face peering over his shoulder
completed the picture.
"You are rather late, M. lie Capt.
taine," said cheerfully. "Madam's
hour is eleven. But come, here are
your seats waiting for you"
"Mille tonnerres!" he muttered, adj
| vancing into the room, and glazing at
us.
II am afraid the ragout is cold"
| continued, peering into the dish and
affecting to see nothing. "The soup,
however, has been kept hot by the fire.
| But think you do not see madam"
| He opened his mouth to swear, but
for the moment thought better of it.
"Who-who put my boots in the pas
sage? he asked, his voice thick with
rage. He did not bow to the ladies, or
take any notice of their presence.
Zone of the men, l suppose" said
indifferently. "Is anything missing?"
He glared at me. Then his cloak,
spread outside, caught his eye. He
strobe through the door, saw his hol-
sters lying on the grass and other
things strewn about. He came back.
| Whose monkey game is this?" he
snarled, and his face was very ugly.
| who is at the bottom of this? Speak,
Sir, or II
"Tut-tut! the ladies!" said. "You
forget yourself, Monsieur"
Forget MYSELF" he Kissed, and this
time he did not check his oath. Don't
talk to me of the ladies! Madam?
Bah! Do you think, fool, that we are
put into rebels houses to bow and
smile and take dancing lessons?"
"In this case lesson in politeness
Were more to the point, Monsieur /
said stcrnly. And l rose.
WAS it by your orders that this was
done?" he retorted, his brow black
with passion. Answer, will your"
1T was!" | replied outright.
"Then take that" he cried, dashing
his hat violently in my face. ''And come
outside"
with pleasure, Monsieur" answer
ed, bowling. "In one moment. Permit
me to find my sword. think it is in
the passage"
l went thither to get it. When re-
turned found that the two men were
waiting for me in the garden, while the
ladies had risen from the table and
were standing near it with blanched
faces. "You had better take your sis
ter upstairs, Mademoiselle," l said
gently, pausing a moment beside
them. Have no fear. All will be WE'LL"
But what is it?" she answered,
looking troubled. at was so sudden. 1
ami did not understand You quar-
relied so quickly" ~
"It is very simple" answered, smil-
Ing IN. lie Capitaine insulted you yes
terday; he will pay for 1t today That
is all. Or, not quite ALL continued,
dropping my voice and speaking in
different tone. Ellis removal may help
you. Mademoeselle. Do you understand
[ think that there will be no more
searching to-day"
She uttered an exclamation, grasp
ing my arm and peering into my face.
'You will kill him?" she muttered.
nodded. "Why not?" l said.
She caught her breath and stood with
one hand clasped to her bosom, gazing
at me with parted lips. the blood
mounting to her checks. Gradually the
flush melted into fierce smile eyes,
yes, why not?" she repeated, between
her teeth. why not?" She had her
hand on MY arm, and felt her fingers
tighten until l could have WINGED.
why not? So you planned this-for
us, Monsieur"
l nodded.
But can you?"
Safely said; then. muttering to
towards the garden. My foot was al
ready on the threshold, and was COM
posing my face to meet my enemy,
when l heard movement behind me.
The next moment her hand was on my
arm. wait! Wait moment! Come
back!" she painted I turned. The smile
and flush had vanished; her face was
pale. mol" she said abruptly. II was
wrong! I will not have it. I will have
no part In it! You planned it last night.
NJ de Barthe. 1t is murder"
"Mademoiselle!" exclaimed, won
dering. Murder? Why? 1t is duel"
"It is myrder," she answered per-
sistently. "You planned it. last night
You said so''
"But l risk my own life." replied
sharply.
\ Nevertheless will have no part in
1t, she answered more family. "It
will bring no good" She was trem-
bling with agitation. Her eyes avoided
mine.
'On my shoulders be it them" re-
piled stoutly. st is too late, Madem-