The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-03


ance. II know how to suffer every
thing for the sake of duty and right"
You may claim great glory from
the performance of this duty said
Marianne scornfully. 1T is a very hon.
orable employment for you"
1.-THE employment cannot well be 9TH
erwise than glorious" said Tartuffe.
bending his head in deep humility,
when 1t comes from the power that
sends me here
And do you remember" interrupted
Orgon wretchedly, that it was my
charitable hand that raised you from
a state of misery?'
Yes" replied Tartuffe, assuming
still greater expression of humility,
but the interest of my king is my first
duty. The just obligation of this duty
STILES all other claims in my heart. I
would sacrifice to it friend. wife, rela-
tives and myself gladly"
"Imposterw cried Elmire.
with what treacherous cunning he
makes a cloak of all that men revere"
said VALERIE.
IF the zeal that you speak of is SO
perfect" said Cleante, how is that you
do not show it till your friend and pat
ron has surprised you making love to
his wife? How is that you inform
against him only after he orders you
from his house i? 1 will not say that
his gift to you of all his possessions
should have prevented you from doing
this that you call your duty; but why,
since you considered him as the GRIM
inal which you now treat him, did you
consent to accept anything from him?"
Tartuffe did not reply to Cleante.
without losing his expression of humil-
ity and forgiveness, he turned to the
officer and said gently, and as one who
pities those against whom he must
act:
Il must beg you, sir. to deliver me from
all this noise and to proceed according to
the orders you have received"
The officer, who had listened to the con-
versation with a most peculiar express
sion, and who had looked at Tartuffe
from time to time with a mien that was
far from admiring, now turned on him
suddenly as If he would like to kick
him.
II have, indeed, put Off the discharge
| of my duty too long, said he harshly.
You are very right to remind me of
1t. In order to enable me to execute
| it,, and he stepped close to Tartuffe
and laid an ungentle hand on his Shout
ders. II will trouble you to follow me at
| once"
What" exclaimed Tartuffe, while the
rest looked on, bewildered. Where shall
go with your
ITO prison." said the officer, producing
| sealed paper.
What do you mean?" cried Tartuffe,
turning pale. but essaying to cover his
| trepidation with buster. Prison for me i?
! Pray tell me whyv'
II have no account to render to you,"
! answered the officer disdainly. You
! will go with me without further words +"
| Then he turned to Orgon and his fam
! lily, who could not comprehend the sud
den turn of affairs, and stood speechless.
Pardon me for having alarmed you,"
| said he, bowling. I'VE are fortunate, sir,
| in living under king who Is an enemy
| to fraud, a monarch who can read the
heart and whom all the arts of impostors
F; cannot deceive. This man here" point
| Ing to Tartuffe, had no chance to de-
ceive him. He discovered the baseness of
! his heart at once. While he accused
| you, the monarch led him to betray him
self. 1t was not long before we discov-
cred that he is a notorious rascal con-
corning whom the King had already re-
ceived ample information, but under an
| other name. His life is one long list of
| dark deeds.
| His majesty, abhorring his base dis
honesty and insratitude toward you, has
added 1t to his other crimes. and
! placed me under his orders only to see
how far his insolent ingratitude would
carry him and to oblige him to give you
| full satisfaction.
HE has ordered mo to take away from