River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1908-07-16
EMPIRE, Nv THE REIGN OF APOZ>EONW,~
NOW PUBLISHED FOR THE FIRST IZt1E.


yet attained his thirty-siXth year. On
the table beside him stood a goblet
half filled with wine and surrounded
by litter of papers which the occu-
pant of the room had just finished
perusing
Bending his gaze on the family
glowing embers of scanty fire burn
ing listlessly in an open CRATE, the
marquis unused silently, melancholy
smile lingering on his pale, stern face.
A passing car rafting noisily along
the stony street outside awoke him
from his reverie, and turning he swept
his hand across the table securing
the scattered papers which he thrust
in bundle into a fire. The languid
flames sprang swiftly into renewed
life and devoured the sacrifice greedl'
ly. Then the fiery tongues, their
mission accomplished, died away into
oblivion and D'Aldano watching saw
that naught remained of the docu-
ments save a pile Of gray ashes.
IAN emblem of human hopes and
ambitions" he murmured aloud. "A
momentary burst of enthusiasm, the
splendid light of a false beacon that
CLOVIS fitfully on the royal road to
ruin - then darkness - oblivion -
Death! Well, come what may, the
agents of Napoleon will find nothing
here to reward their curious zeal,
saving yonder dull heap of ashes and
myself"
The sound of heavy footstep in
the corridor interrupted his musings,
and starting erect he listened intent
| ly. There followed a knock on the
door and, D'Aldano bidding the appli-
cant enter, it swung open to admit
| the square, athletic form of M. Claude.
II salute monsieur the marquis,
said the chief, gravely.
BE seated, M. Claude" responded
the nobleman, waving his hand with
airy grace 81 expected this visit,
though I did not anticipate that you
would do me the honor of waiting up
on me personally
The chief bowed and seated him.
self at the opposite side of the table.
Then" he said, Il presume that
you are aware of the object with
which l have called upon your"
The marquis nodded cool assent.
There need be no concealment be-
tween us, M. Claude" he replied II
know that your duty requires you to
arrest me, and I do not complain. l
have played for high stakes-and lost.
Were our positions reversed / am sure
you would meet misfortune as calmly
as I do myself. I have always recog-
nized you as a brave man and gallant
foe, qualities in which most of the
members of your party are sadly de-
fcient, including the grim puppet
whom Fate has seen fit to make ruler
of our poor France"
II thank you for the compliment"
returned the chief, "but l must beg
of you not to exercise too much Ii
cense in speaking of my imperial mas
ter"
words, idle words, my dear
Claude" replied the marquis, smiling
disdainfully. 81 will not provoke
you further, but surely you can make
some allowance for the bitter utter
ances of one who has thrown the dice
for the last time in an unlucky gamer"
M. Claude was silent, and the mar
quis continued.
Before I accompany you, | have
one final request to make that may
prove somewhat of a strain upon your
courtesy"
Anything that is in my power and
does. not conflict with my official du-
ties I am willing to do was the chief s
response.
DAldano laughed softly.
"Platitudes are unworthy of you, M.
Claude" he said, ironically. Il am ad-
dressing you now as a man, not a
Napoleonic agent. Understand, am
not proposing that you should allow
me to escape. I know that this house
is surrounded and one blast on the
whistle you carry would bring a score
of allies to your side. Therefore, be-
fore l make my proposition will take
due precautions to insure us from any
intrusion of the kind.
A shade of menace in the tenor of
his companions light, testing tones
grated on the chiefs ear, and he was
about to rise, when D'AldaEo's right
hand. which had hitherto fingered un-
der the cover of the table, came into
view grasping a silver mounted pistol,
the muzzle of which was leveled in a
direct line with NJ Claude's heart.
"Sit STILL and do not force me to
proceed to extremities which | should
regret" said the marquis, with world
of deadly meaning in his low, even
voice.
M. Claude leaned back and shrugged
his shoulders philosophically.
Il think you ar acting very fool
ishly, most noble marquis" he said
coolly. There can be but one end
TO this as far as you are concerned
whatever fate may have in store for
me-"
"You may change your opinion
when 1 inform you of my DESIRE re-
sponded D'Aldano, sternly. 'Hark ye,
M. Claude. Whether l am guilty or
not in your estimation Of attempting
the death of the aspiring parvenu who
now usurps the throne Of the Bour-
bons, you will at least admit that the
word of a D'Aldano once given is
sacred. My honor has never and
never will be doubteu.
The chief bent his head in token of
1rd ~,,aro11ic aOufiuuod.