The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-12-19
CHATTER Ill

IVA T. IIiIs Louis had been afford
\vs ~ in% his court that which he
W bed cgealv stated to be the
hi-:.ast OF human pleasures,
y fiit Of ais fosal face. the young
..c-. Of o. -',ari os.sidc lad been
efy i,ssy pas ',is % the titles Of the
Fr,,cros Applicant, TOR Admission and
k.c,iaI~ iii- S,a!'y u emile or 4 few
E-cctls cfaEsstiIi- with them. for his
fa.1. Eapgso-lc face was well
kaown one ut the court. Three years
|-o he had been an unknown subaltern
ush fighting with Algonquins ard Iro-
Euois in the wilds of Canada. IN OK
hange had brought him back to France
End into the regiment of Picardy. but
le lucky chance of having seized the
sridle of the kings horse one winters
|eay in Fontainebleau when the crea-
2Ire was plunging within Il few yards
4 deep gravel pit had done for him
that ten campaigns might have failed
D accomplish.
A gentleman very richly dressed In
lack and silver advanced. as the door
pened. with the assured air Of man
those rights are beyond dispute. Cap
pin de Catinat, however. took quick
step forward, and barred him off from
he door.
III Il am very sorry, NJ. de Vivonpe."
aid he. but you are forbidden the
Presence"
& Forbidden the presence, I? You are
4lad"' He stepped back with gray face
and staring eyes. one shaking hand
8'alf raised in protest.
II assure You that it Is his order"
N IF ! could have one word with the
ling"
Unfortunately. monsieur. it is i'm
ossible.'
The angry nobleman stamped his foot
rnd stared at the door as though he
ssad some thoughts of forcing a pas
>age. Then. turning on his heel. he
fastened away down the corridor with
sshe air OF man who has come to q
~ecision.
There. now" grumbled De Catinat
- himself. as he pulled his thick dark
snustache. "he is off to make some
sresh mischief. Ill have his sister here
PRESENTLY, rs like as not, and pleasant
title choice between breaking my or
,fe. BY my faith. here is a lady, as
cared. All, heaven be praised, it is
friend and not foe. Good morning.
file. Nanon."
). Good morning. Captain de Catinat."
}. The newcomer was a TALL graceful
brunette. her fresh face and sparkling
,.lack eyes the brighter in contrast with
GER pain dress.
]. "A note from Mime. de Maintenon
d the king. You will hand it to him.
s-ill you not?'
Certainly, mademoiselle. And how
"A madame. your MISTRESS
"Oh, her director has been with her
81 the morning. and his talk is very,
cry good. but it is also very. very sad.
Te are not very cheerful when Nj. Co
ret has been to see us. But / forget
1onsieur is a Huguenot and knows
rpthing of directors
r"Oh. but I do not trouble about such
differences"
u"Ah. if monsieur could talk to Mime.
n Maintenon a little. She would con-
ert him"
I'll would rather talk to Mile. Nanon,
.lnt if
D 'Oh." There was an exclamation, \
rhisk of dark skirts. and the soubrette
disappeared down a side passage.
, Along the broad lighted corridor was
Hiding a very stately and beautiful
pdy. tall, graceful and exceedingly
nughty. The lady was past her first
Iouth, it is true. but the magnificent
elrves of her queenly figure, the purity
Il her complexion, the brightness of
aer deep dashed blue eyes and the clear
egularity of her features enabled her
ill to claim to be the most handsome
n well ss the :aoss sharp sangued wo-