The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1908-07-09
The RoupelI Mystery

cleverls on deeper topics. The dinner
was irreproachable. Had Cassagne's mine
nor been so preoecupied he would doubt,
less have enjoyed it. There are some
dinners money win not purchase.
1--WE are to have no cards. l believe.
said the broker; that Is the edict to-
night. is il notTs
Yes" replied the vicomtesse. 1--WE are
to have for once quiet evening. hope
you viii manage 70 amuse yourself,
There is Madame Froizart; she viii sing
you something. doubtless, if you ask"
And you, madame7'
"0h for me. have reserved a special
treat for myself. l am going to show
Monsieur Lazare my Conservatives.
while he tells me something about peas
ant life in the Swiss mountains"
II. Lazare wandered under the palms
in the conservatory 1t was but dimly
lighted. A few eolored lamps alone were
suspended from the glass roof Of the spa
cious building. so spacious indeed that in
winter it appeared as a garden. covered
with glass and so heated as 10 protect
the rare collection Of plants and flowers
from the killing frosts-
There were little paths running here
and there. The vicomtesse led her guest
along one which took them TO the very
center of the building. where some lofty
palms reared their heads under the great
glass dome. There was a rustic bench
facing the FLASHING waters Of the foun-
tain and sheltered from observation By
thick growth
She began by defense Of the vieomte.
Her manner was the well-bred one of a
woman thoroughly accustomed to meet
men OF all ages and dispositions. Of all
minds and temperaments-
Monsieur de yaliar has gone to play
cards, l feel convinced" she said. look
ing at Cassagne with her soft. liquid
eyes, let Us sit here and talk. you and
l. Do you know. il is a rare thing for
me to have quiet evening. Don't think
my husband discourteous. He has some
peculiar ways. He thinks he has dis
charged much of his duty as host when
be has given his guests good dinner,
and then everybody in this house feels
so much at home. The world has treated
you very nicely she continued. has it
notf Ny husband tells me you have
done wonderfully well. and you are not
yet forty. ! should judge Why don't
you go into politics and make a great
uames / think if had been man
should have done So You should have
me talk to your friend Monsieur DiAu-
buron"
You think Monsieur D'Auburon has a
career before himz7
The vicomtesse laughed very merrily
indeed.
"A career-your friend Monsieur
Why, no. he is far too lazy.
That is why we have had such interest
ing conversations have kept urging
upon him tho necessity for exerrion. He
maintains that work of any kind win
kill him
And yet when be visited me IN Swift
zeriand he was the most indefatigable
Of climbers. / had hard work to keep
up with him. can tell you"
4 thought Monsieur D'Auburon had |
never been in Switzerland At any rate
I know he says he detests mountains"
"Our friend possesses the rare merit l
II being modest Ask him about Cha1nou-
lix and the Matterhorn when you next |
ZEE min. He can tell you few stories
which would surprise you But let US
ak Of more immediate things, madame.
Monsieur DAuburon is not in Partisan |
ociety. and just now am particularly
Interested in Partisan society. Your own
ircle. for instance. You seem to have
Irawn around you some charming people
the Colbert-Remplins, for instance
You ike themsv
Yes; the husband IS e well inform
d. don't mean merely on matters Of
nance, but on all topics. was greatly
ateresred in what ne was talking about
uring dinner-the dissolution Of your
econd empire By the way. what an
ieaI Lady Of the court his wife, with her
-hite hair and aristocratic features.
'ould have made under the Third Napo-
on J"
do you admire herY
"Greatly-in a way. Is she not a
oman with a history7 She looks like
>
The words we're spoken so quietly and
that though she started with
1rprise at the directness of the ques-
on. the vicomtesse could ng possibly
oubt her guests good faith in putting 1t.
YES" she replied. ~she has a his
'ry.~
4 thought I was right am a read
Of human faces in a way II ! had
zen asked. should have said, looking
/ her, There is one who has suffered for
nbition's sake"
The vicomtesse turned around on the
snch, with half smile parting her
vely lips, and said:
Really, Monsieur Lazare. in addition
your attachments as mounfaineers, you
wiss gentlemen seem to count that Of
ind-reading. Do you know what you
" comes remarkably near the TRUTH
Then lowering her voice, and first look
e cautiously around, she added 1T is I
1t generally known. but it can do no ,
lrm to tell you, who have guessed 50
ar the mark--but Madame Remplin !
Icriaced her heart to her ambitions. (
on know what mean you are man
he world. monsieur. There was !
,ung man. with nothing but bis profes-
on, whom she adored. Of course. There I
as middle-aged man with fortune,
HON she tolerated at first, for the sake
the position he gave her and learned :
like afterward, as all we poor crea-
res do" :