The Green Forest tribune., 1908-10-30


 the ranks of your sex could i'll afford 10 lose most exquisite ornament"
 The little lady, famous alike for her beauty and talent as a political spy in the dburt of Louis Napoleon, shook her graceful head disdainfully.
 "Cempliments 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 I inform you that the emperor advised me to con. suit you"
 Be assured, Mme. Rigault,' said the chief, earnestly, that my poor services are ever at your command. It would be strange were it otherwise. 1 have not forgotten how well 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- fited by your loyal exertions. And venture to say that his majestys opin- ion coincides with mine"
 "The emperor has acted with his customary kindness" responded Mme 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"
 "It concerns the one human being whom I 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. T have that honor" he said. "A charming young girl for whom I entertain sin cere admiration and respect"
 "Well, then" continued Mme. 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 cowardly blackmailer. I did not gain her con 
 to desperation on the near approach of her marriage with Monsieur dLar- gental, she appealed to me for aid"
 And the name of her persecutor?" queried the chief as Mme. Rigault paused.
 ''Is Horace We're, younger son of an English lord, at present residing in Paris replied the lady.
 "Vere!" repeated M. Claude. "The name sounds familiar. Ah, have it. He lives in mansion on the Bculc- ward Haussmann where high play is indulged in by number of his coun- trymen and several young bloods about town. It cannot be actually termed public gambling establish but judging from the reports of my men, it lacks but few of the require ments of professional hell. Yet M. We're has entree to the best social cir cles. I presume that explains his con nection with your sisters name"
 Partly" responded Mme. 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. It 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 ,c oroot citv and I am inclined to blame myself for not having made closer scrutiny into the character of the acquaintances she made. Yet even had I been aware of her infatuation for Stratton I would have found little to disapprove of at the time. He was young, handsome, of good family and :apparently well to do, and his suicide,