Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1910-07-22
CHAPTER ".
A Scent Of Danger.

We Comics account OF our meeting
nnd subsequent reconciliation. Both
women were u~naffectedly dalightsd
with the story, which, frtdsed, was told
with a wit and spirit quite beyond my
keueodUction. IA / write there lines, l
am again impressed with n wide dir
eefence between the awkward sountry
boy who sat Sowing In that PLEASANT
company and the accomplished and
FINISHED gentleman who did so much TO
entertain IL. For l know that my as
Sumption Of ease and interest could
have deceived no one. All OF us, L
think, booking back over the mistakes
and gaucheries of vi youth, must feel
our cheeks crimson more than once;
Certainly mine grow red when / think
upon the sorry figure j made that eve
hing. But when l started 70 set TINS
history upon paper, ! determined not
10 spare myself, nor will l.
But who could have sent the mes
sage" asked madame, when M. lie
Comte had finished h story.
81 cannot even guess" he an
Bwered.
How was 1t delivered to you? How
came you TO believe it,"
Il believed it," he explained, because
et was brought to me by ONE Of our old
bervants-Laroche, whom / left in
charge OF the stables"
"Ah, true murmlIred madame. la
XuCIe iltdIlJ ii Wtth d6ps
fancied he had run away to join the
Fevolutionists."
Perhaps he did," said her husband.
quietly.
Madame looked at him with a start of
alarm.
S'The revolutionists? ?" she repeated.
TN was they who sent the message?
But why? What was their object? All,
know" she added. with sudden con-
viction. 1T was to deprive the Ven
deans of your sword, in order that they
might be defeated"
M. lie Comte smiled as he looked DOWN
unto her fond. admiring eyes.
"Ah, my dear" ne said, my sword is
not so powerful as that. The Vendeans
will win their battles just the same
without me. ] think the message was
merely the bait for a TRAP"
From which you have escaped" she
cried triumphantly, m clapped her
hands.
Yes" he agreed, but there was still
In his face a certain anxiety which
she perceived.
What Is II, HENRI" she demanded.
SYou are not now In danger?"
He threw off his preoccupation with
n laugh of genuine amusement.
I'm danger?" he repeated. Moor,
ut least, h only danger to which l am
exposed at this moment, madame. Is
fAAN IA 6AhAAA bA hOfS WAN wv 80
Violently han ever!"
For shame, sir!' sho cried, blushing
Eke a girl. You forget that We are
hot alone"
ION the contrary" he answered, 81
think our example a most excellent
pne for our young friends yonder," and
he looked across at us with beaming
face, n with a meaning In his eyes
which / tried in vain TO fathom. IT
hope they Will profit by It."
Monsieur! Monsieurl'' protested
Madame, restraining him, yet unable to
preserve a stern countenance.
Besides" he added, laughing more
and more, ut delights me to confuse
that pert young lady sitting opposite
MS yonder. to make her blush as she
A. doing at this ~moment-and, / swear,
DC is Tavernayi What q pair of chill
dren! If their parents had only the
good judgment to betroth them"
"Monsieur!" interrupted Madame,
more sharply. You will not break
your promised There was to be no
word"
"And / will say none; pardon me-"
broke In M. lie Comte. "The tempta-
tton was very great" and he looked
at US, laughing.
But / benz above my plate, all pleas
ure in the meal struck from me. for
suddenly I found myself grooming be-
meath my burden. All, yes-if our
parents
What Is It, monsieur asked q low
voice at my side, and I raised my eyes
to find myself gazing into the brown
depths of those / loved. you sighed"
h added, seeing that I did not under
stand.
'.Did IT" I said, wondering somewhat
that she remained so unruffled by the
fire of raillery which had been turned
upon her. lone Is apt to sigh when
there Is something one desires very
much and yet may not possess
perhaps / a help you" she sug-
gested, and ! saw again in her eyes
that light which should have set me
on my guard. IF 1t is my smelling
bottle"
mo, thank you," I answered, with
dignity. Il do not need It,"
$50 you refuse to confde In me,
sven when ! offer you my aid?"
II fear that ever you cannot aid
me-, madamoiselle; and IL anyone In
the world could, II would be YOU"
Il am not fond of riddles. M. de
T~avernay; and IL seems to me that you
hav just ~propounded one"
Il spoke very seriously" I asked,
~and as plainly as I could"
"Oh, you mean 1t Is my wits which
are deficient ! must say, monsieur
II meant nothing OF the sort" / pro-
tested. II meant
mo matter" she broke In. Moth
ing is so wearisome as Il have tc
explain ones meaning-uniess 1t be- &c
listen to the explanation. / am sure
Il argues duliness somewhere"
II I'm sorry that I bore YOU" I re-
torted. stung to a sort OF desperation
IT had hoped that / might. at least
continue to furnish you amusement.
Really" she cried, casting me q
brilliant glance, mot a bad ripostel
Come. we are quits. theni"
with all my heart" I agreed; les.
Secialiy since Won have removed YOU,
button"
well finish IT." she cried, her eye.
dancing. finish It'll"
While ! am too gallant to follow
your example," / added, ~relentlessly.
tGoodt' h applauded. "Touche!
assure you. monsieur, you are not Dor,
ting me In the least. Ali you iced Il
. little practice-you hesitate, as al
beginners do, to drive the point hom'
Il am not bloodthirsty," I interrupted
ION the contrary, I am OF q disposition
the most amiable."
And there Ia still abcu you q Sigh
clumsiness.' she went on, not needing