The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1908-07-17

yet attained his thirty-sixth year. On
the table beside him stood a goblet
half filled with wine and surrounded
by a litter of papers which the occu-
pant of the room had just finished
perusing.
Bending his gaze on the family
glowing embers of a 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 greedi-
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.
can emblem of human hopes and
he murmured aloud. "A
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
The sound of a heavy footstep in
the corridor interrupted his musings
and starting erect he listened intent
ly. There followed knock on the
door and, D'Aldano bidding the appli
cant enter, it swung open to admit
the square, athletic form of M. Claude
81 salute monsieur the marquis
said the chief, gravely.
BE seated, NJ Claude" responded
the nobleman, waving his hand with
airy grace. 81 expected this visit
though / 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 thai
you are aware of the object with
which have called upon your"
The marquis nodded a cool assent
There need be no concealment be
tween us, NJ Claude" he replied. %
know that your duty requires you tc
arrest me, and do not complain.
have played for high stakes-and lost
Were our positions reversed am sure
you would meet misfortune as calmly
as I do myself have always recog
nized you as brave man and gallant
foe, qualities in which most of the
members of your party are sadly de
ficient, 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 I 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. II 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, l 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 chiefs
response.
D'Aldano laughed softly.
"Platitudes are unworthy Of you, M
Claude" he said, ironically. 81 am ad
dressing you now as a man, not
Napoleonic agent. Understand, an
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 score
of allies to your side. Therefore, be
fore make my proposition l 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'Aldano's right
hand, which had hitherto fingered I'm
der the cover of the table, came into
view grasping silver mounted pistol
the muzzle of which was leveled in 8
direct line with M. Claude's heart.
"Sit still, and do not force me tt
proceed to extremities which should
regret" said the marquis, with world
of deadly meaning in his low, ever
voice.
M. Claude leaned back and shrugged
bis 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 fol
me-"
"You may change your opinion
when I inform you of my DESIRE" re
sponded D'Aldano, sternly. "Hark We
M. Claude. Whether I am guilty ~
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
assent and the marquis continued:
very well. I wis to inform you
that I have sworn never to be held a