Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1907-01-17

sNHh Tblllu net hdllA lh' hHnS.
There lies the best hope for the flu
ture, We see in you a second Jeanne
dare who will save both France and
Frances king"
Madame sat silent for a few mo
ments. Her face had ~regained its com
posture. and her eyes were bent va
cantly upon her tapestry frame as she
turned over In her mind all that was
involved in the suggestion.
But surely-surely. this could eve
be- she said mt last. What king of
France has married a subject? See
how every princess Of Europe stretches
ont her hand to him. The queen Of
France must be Of q~ueenly blood, even
as the last was"
''All this may be overcome
"And then there are the reasons of
state. If the king marry, 1t should be
to form a powerful alliance, to ce-
ment a friendship with a neighbor ma
tion or TO gain some province which
may be the brides dowry. What is
my dowry? A widows pension and a
workbox." .
"Your dowry, my daughter, would
be those gifts OF body and OF mind
with which heaven has endowed you.
The king has money enough and the
king has provinces enough. As to the
state. how a the state be better
served than by the assurance that the
king will be saved in future from such
sights as are to be seen in this palace
today?'
ooh, IL 1t could be so! But think,
father: think Of those about him-the
dauphln, monsieur his brother, his
ministers. You know how little this
would please them and how easy 1t is
for them to sway his mind"
The faces Of the two ecclesiastics
who had dismissed her other objections
with a smile and a wave clouded over
at this.
MY daughter" said the Jesuit grave
~. "that Is a matter which You may
leave to the church. 1t may be that
we, too, have some power over the
kings mind and that we may lead him
In the right path, even though those
Of his own blood would fam have it
otherwise. The future only can show
with whom the power lies. But you?
Love and duty both draw you one way
now, and the church may count upon
you and you upon the church. 1t will
serve you II you in turn will but serve
It."
what higher wish could haveT"
you will be our daughter, queen,
our champion. and you will heal the
wounds of the suffering church. The
Huguenots must go. They must be
driven forth. The goats must be di-
vided from the sheep. The king is al
ready in two minds. Louvois Is our
friend now. If you are with us, then
all will be we'll"
But. father, think how many there
are! And think, too, Of their sufferings
should they be driven FORTH
Their cure lies I'm their own hands,"
'"That Is true. And yet my heart
softens for them"
Pere la Chaise and the bishop shook
their heads.
IOu WOulu UCIlIthu 1Ou y CtSlllitS,
then?'
mo, no; not if they are indeed So"
"Can you doubt ii? Is ii possible
that your heart still turns toward the
heresy of your youth?'
mo. father: but II is not in nature to
forget that my father and my grand
father
NAY; they have answered for their
own sins. Is IL possible that the church
has been mistaken in you? DO you,
then, refuse the first favor which she
asks Of you? You would accept her
aid, and yet you would give none in
return"
Nine. de Maintenon rose with the air
OF one who has made her resolution
"You are wiser than l." said she. "and
to you have been committed the inter
ests Of the church. l will do what you
advise"
"You promise it?"
az do
Her two visitors threw up their hands
together. at is a blessed day." they
cried, ''and generations yet unborn will
learn to deem 1t So"
She sat half stunned by the prospect
which was opening out in front Of her.
Ambitious she had, as the Jesuit had
surmised. always been-ambitious for
the power which would enable her to
leave the world better than she found
II. But close at the heels Of her JOY
there came a sudden revulsion to
doubt and dependency. Was not all
this fine prospect a mere day dream
And how could these men be so sure
that they held the king in the hollow
OF their hand? The Jesuit read the
fears which dulled the sparkle of her
eyes, and answered her thoughts.
"The church redeems its pledges
swiftly" said he. "And you, my
daughter. you must be as prompt when
your w turn comes"
II have promised, father"
'Then it Is for us to perform. You
win remain In your room all evening"
"Yes, father"
sThe king already hesitates. I spoke
with him this morning. and his mind
was full Of blackness and despair. His
better self turns in disgust from his
sins. I have to see and speak with
him once more. and / 60 from your
room to his. And when l have spoken
he will come from hia room To yousa