Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-11-20
Bu A. CONAN DOYLE.
Author of "The Return of Sherlock Holmes

 x ~b0 Dss .
 But she waited for the king in the passage and wrung from him prom Sc 6at hs would see her foday?'
 Yes, madame"
 T would not have you tell me that which 1t may seem to you breach of lour duty to tell But I am fighting low against terrible foe and for Feat stake Tell me, then, at what iour was the king to meet the mar- uise in her room2'
 At 4. madame"
 T thank you. You have done me a eervice, and shall not forget it. Now Tou must so, captain. Pass through the other room and so into the outer passage. And take this. It is Bos- suet's statement of the Catholic faith. It has softened the hearts of others and may yours. Now. adieu.'
 De Catinat passed out through an- other door, and as he did so he glanced back. The lady had her back to him, md her hand was raised to the mantel- piece. At the instant that he looked he moved her neck, and he could see what she was doing. She was pushing back the long hand of the clock.
 Captain de Catinat had hardly van shed through the one door before the ther was thrown open by Mile. Ma lon, and the king entered the room. Hme. de Maintenon rose with pleas mt smile and courtesied deeply, but here was no answering light upon Ter visitors face, and he threw him. elf down upon the vacant armchair with pouting lip and frown upon lis forehead.
 May, now this is very bad com Dliment," she cried, with the gayety which she could assume whenever it was necessary to draw the king from lis blacker humors. My poor little lark room has already cast shadow wer you"
 May; it is Father Ia Chaise and he bishop of Meaux, who have been liter me all day like two hounds on a tag. with talk of my duty and my position and my sins, with judgment md hell fire ever at the end of their Uhortations."
 And what would they have your najesty do?"
 Break the promise which made when came upon the throne, and which my grandfather made before ne. They wish me to recall the edict f Nantes, and drive the Huguenots rom the Kingdom. You would not ave me do 1t, madame?" Not if 1t Is to be grief to your maj sty. Bethink you, sire. that the Al mighty can himself incline their hearts b better things if he Is so minded. wen as mine was inclined. May you lot leave it in his hands?"
 H"On my word," said Louis, brighten ng, ''it is well put I shall see if Father la Chaise can find an answer Q that. It is hard to be threatened with eternal flames because one will lot ruin ones kingdom" Why should you think of such hings. sire?" said the lady in her rich, Ioothing voice. What have you to lear, you who have been the first son # the churchT ''You think that I am safe, then? But I have erred and erred deeply. You have yourself said as much"
 But that Is all ever. sire. Who is here who is without stain? You have turned away from temptation. Sure ', then, you have earned your forgive less."
 "I would that the queen were living mce more She would find me bet Ter man."
 'T would that she were, sire"
 "And she should know that 1t was . you that she owed the change. Oh, erancoise. you are surely my guardian nngel, who has taken bodily form! How can I thank you for what you lave done for mey He leaned for yard and took her hand, but at the ouch a sudden fire sprang into his ves, and he would have passed his ,ther arm round her had she not risen turriedly to avoid the embrace.
 "Sire~ said she, with a rigid face md one finger upraised.
 "You are right; you are right, Fran oise. Sit down. and will control myself. But how is 1t. Francoise. that ,ou have such heart of iceT'
 'T would 1t were so. sire"
 "No. But surely no mans love has wer stirred you, And yet you have ,een a wife. You did not love this gcarronY' he persisted. He was old, have heard. and as lame as some of lis verses"
 "Do not speak lightly of him. sire s~~as grateful to him: honored him; liked him"
 -you did not love him. FrancoiseT At least I did my duty toward dm."
 Has that nuns heart never yet een touched by love. thea7"
 spare me. sire. beg of your
 But I must ask. for my own peaes nngs upon your answer"
 .Ycur words pain me to the souL- Have you never. Francoise. felt In rour heart some little flicker of tho ove which zIows in mineT- He rose rith his hands ouistretched- pleading monarch, but she. with. half turned ead. still shrank away from him
 Be assured of one thing. sire said he. that even If loved you az 10 ronan ever loved a rnan- yet I should