Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1907-01-31

danger.
Nine. de Montespan had spent tht
evening stretched upon a sofa in the
worst possible humor with every one
around her. There was the sound o
an opening door and of a quick sJeI
in her anter0om. Was ii the king. O.
at least his messenger with a note
from himG
But. no; it was her brother, with tho
haggard eyes and drawn face Of q man
who is weighed down with his OWE
evil tidings. He turned as he entered
fastened the door and then, stridinC
across the room. locked the other one
which led to her bOudOir.
eve are safe from Interruption" he
painted. - have FASTENED here. for
every second may be invaluable. Have
you heard anything from the klng?'
Nothing" She had sprung to her
feet.
The hour has come for action. Fran,
coisc.'
what is it,"
"The king is about to marry Nine.
de Maintcnon."
1.-THE gouvernante! The widow Scar.
ron! 1t IS impossible!'
at is certain that he will marry her"
The woman flung out her hands in a
gesture of contempt and laughed loud
and bitterly.
You are easily frightened, brother. -
said she. "Ah, you do not know your
little sister. Perchance If 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 1t. The mar
rage is tonight"
You are mad, Charles"
Il am certain Of It," In a few bro
ken sentences he shot out all that he
had seen and heard. She listened with
a grim face and hands which closed
ever tighter and tighter as he pro-
ceeded.
Il shall go and see him." she cried,
sweeping toward the door.
mo, no, FRANCHISE. Believe me. you
will ruin everything If you do. Strict
~ANNA" |" DSCA E1NCn " lue ZuhTu
to admit no one to the king"
Had l only a day, Charles, l am
sure that l could bring him back to
me. There has been some other in
tluence here-that meddlesome Jesuit
or the pompous Bossuet, perhaps. Only
n day to cOunteract their wiles.
Charles, it must be stopped; l say it
must be stopped! l will give anything,
everything, to prevent it!''
what will you give, my sister,"
She looked at him aghast. What!
You do not wish me to buy your" she
said.
mo, but wish to buy others"
"Ha! You see a chance, then!"
"One, and one only. But time
presses. | want money"
How muchT"
81 cannot have too much-all that
you a spare"
With hands which trembled with ca
gerness she unlocked a secret cup
board in the wall In which she con-
cealed her ~valuables. A blaze of jew
elry met her brothers eyes as he
peered over her shoulder. At one side
were three drawers, the one over the
other. She drew out the lowest one.
1t was full to the brim with glittering
louis d'ors.
Take what you willr' she said.
And o your plan! Quick"
He stuffed the money In handfuls in
to the side pockets of his coat. Coins
slipped between his fingers and tin
killed. and wheeled over the floor, but
neither cast a glance at them.
"Your plan?" she repeated.
1--WE must prevent the archbishop
from arriving here. Then the mar
riage would be postponed until tomor-
row night"
but how prevent it?'
There are a dozen good rapiers
about the court which are to be bought
for less than l carry in n pocket. l
will gather them together and wait OIL
the road"
"And waylay the archbishop
mo; the messengers"
"Oh, excellent! You are a prince Of
brothers! If no message reach Paris
we are saved. Go; go; do not lose a
moment"
at is very well, FRANCHISE, but what
are we to do with them when we get
them? We may lose our heads over
the matter, II seems to me. After all,
they are the kings messengers, and
we car scarce pass our swords through
them"
"No?'
"'There would be no forgiveness for
that"
But consider that before the matter
Is looked into | shall have regained my
influence with the king"
"All very fine, my little sister, but
how long is your influence to last? A
pleasant life for us II at every change
of favor we have to fly the country!
No, no, FRANCHISE; the most that we
can do is to detain the messengers"
where can you detain themT'
II have thought Of that. There Is
the castle Of the Marquis de Monies
pan at Portillac."
"Of my husband-of my most bitter
enemy! Oh, Charles. you are not serl-
ous." .
ION the contrary. ! was never more
20. The marquis was away In Paris
yesterday and has not yet returned.
Where In the ring with his armsY'
She hunted among her Jewels and
picked out a gold ring with a broad
engraved face.