River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1908-10-29


the ranks of your sex could ill afford
to lose most exquisite ornament"
The little lady, famous alike for her
beauty and talent as a political spy
In the court of Louis Napoleon, shook
her graceful head disdainfully.
Compliments will not help me, M.
Claude" she said, although your
manner of paying them is irresistible.
You must aid me in a practical way
and perhaps may be all the more in
clined to do so when | inform you
that the emperor advised me to con-
suit you"
BE assured, Nine. Rigault," said
the chief, earnestly, "that my poor
services are ever at your command.
1t would be strange were it otherwise
l have not forgotten how we'll you re-
paid the confidence reposed in you
regarding the affair of the Scarlet
Arrow not to mention other import
ant matters where the empire bene-
fitted by your loyal exertions. And
venture to say that his majesty's opin-
ion comedies with mine"
"The emperor has acted with his
customary Kindness" responded Nine.
Rigault. He told me to trust to you
implicitly, and added that whatever
steps you might see fit to take would
be sanctioned by him."
with the imperial favor, one is
doubly armed" commented the chief
Tell me the story and we will de-
eide what is best to be done"
1T concerns the one human being
whom | love better than myself, M.
CLAUDE" said the little lady, gravely;
none other than my younger sister,
Blanche Leclaire, with whom you are
acquainted"
The chief bowed in assent. II have
that honor" he said. "A charming
young girl for whom I entertain sin
cere admiration and respect"
well. then" continued Nine. Ri
gault it will surprise you to learn
that Blanche, naturally one of the
most joyous and innocent of girls, has
suffered in silence for nearly a year
under the persecution of a cowardly
blacbmailer. l did not gain her con-
fidenee until yesterday when, driven
to desperation on the near approach
of her marriage with Monsieur dLar-
genital, she appealed to me for aid"
"Aad the name of her prosecutors"
queried the chief as Nine Rigault
paused.
rs Horace We're, younger son of an
English lord, at present residing in
Paris" replied the lady.
"Vere!" repeated NJ Claude. THE
name sounds familiar All, have it.
He lives in a mansion on the Boule-
ward Haussmann where high play is
INDUCED in by a number of his coun-
trymen and several young bloods
about town. 1t cannot be actually
termed a public gambling establish
ment in the strict sense of the word
but Judging from the reports of my
men, it lacks but few of the require
ments of a professional hell. Yet NJ.
We're has entree to the best social cir
Giles. l presume that explains his con-
nection with your sisters name"
Partly" responded Nine. Rigault;
'but the trouble arose in the first
place through an unfortunate intima-
cy contracted by Blanche with his
cousin, one Thomas Stratton, who
committed suicide by blowing out his
brains about 16 months ago. 1t is just
two years since Blanche came from
my mothers quiet country home and
made her debut in Paris. She knew
nothing of the dangers one encounters
in great city, and I am inclined to
blame myself for not hav,ng made
closer scrutiny into the character of
the acquaintance she made. Yet even
had I been aware of her infatuation
for Stratton l would have found little
to disapprove of at the time. He was
young, handsome, of good family and
s22arsztIy well to do. and his suicide.