The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-10-07

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regrets that 1t il impossible for him
to receive the lieutenant In person,
but hopes to have the pleasure of
paying his compliments to you at the
banquet tonight"
What banquet"
His grace celebrates his birthday
today and according TO his usual Gus
tom he has invited all his neighbors
and their ladies to the castle to-
night"
Please give my compliments to the
marquis and tell him. I shall be de-
lighted to come IS soon as I have re-
moved the dust Of travel from my
uniform and made myself look as de-
cent as possible Under the circum-
Stances
Il will return for you In an hour
then, II 1t suits you lieutenant" said
the marquis majordomc and left the
room with a deep bow.
Lieutenant Louis de Ballette OF En-
peror Napoleon's Hussars. Ell route
from Bayonne to Madrid in command
OF re-enforcenents of 100 troopers was
delighted with the magnificent room
placed at his disposal by Marquis de
Ronda. who he'd also began to dress
and when he had quite finished he
picked up the gift he had received
| from his fiancee. when about to leave
| France. 1t was small double Darrell.
ed pistol Of excellent workmanship.
Promise me to carry 1t always. 1t
may come in handy sometime" An.
toinette had said. when she handed 1t
to him, and he readily gave the prom.
Use. Having seen that both barrels
were loaded. he now put 1t into his
pocket.
A few moments later the majordomo
returned and through endless CORR.
doris he conducted the French officer
into a large hall full of ladies and
gentlemen dressed In the picturesque
costumes of the Spanish country aris-
tocracy. A tall. dark gentleman intro
duced himself to the lieutenant as
Marquis de Ronda. gave him the tips
Of the fingers and asked him to follow
him into the adjoining dining hall.
| Here he was given the place of honor
opposite the host and found the most
beautiful OF all the ladies present seat
ed at his right. She received his first
words. with such An expression Of un-
speakable contempt. that there was
nothing left for him to do after that
but to ignore her presence absolutely.
He had not chosen his own seat, and
was thus not responsible for their
meeting.
But not only his neighbor at the
table. the whole company stared at
him with unconcealed hatred and con-
tempt. SO he concentrated his whole
attention on the excellent dishes and
choice wines and was just about to
raise his glass Of champagne to his
lips when his host who had been star
ing at him for some time leaned
across the table and asked: well
Senior. how do you like my simple lit.
tie dinner?"
1t il excellent. marquis. have
seldom enjoyed a better dinner than
tonight"
Il am delighted to hear 1t and hope
you will do Justice to my table, for
who knows II you will have any
chance Of ever enjoying such a meal
again."
Lieutenant de Ballette expressed
the conviction that he would, fol-
among his friends In Paris were many
gourmats who set an excellent table
but the marquis said with a malicious
smile:
Il do not know Senior. II you have
heard that General Xavier Nina hat
barred the road from here to Madrid.
Il never heard of any General Kav
Ter Nina" the lieutenant replied, but
I know OF bandit Of that name. and Il
he has dared bar the road am sure
the soldiers of the emperor will soor
drive him Off"
"You think SO, senor." A contempt
nous smile played about the marquis
lips. What do you think will happier
to Xavier Nina IL he falls into tn.
hands of your comrades?"
He will be placed before cour
martial and treated according to thu
sentence passed upon him."
"And II he should fall into your owl
hands lieutenant"
Il will have him shot down like
dog"
There was a deadly silence in tn,
hall as the lieutenant pronounced
these words and everybody's eye
were turned towards the marquis, VIII,
shrugged his shoulders and asked:
"And what do you think would har
pen to yourself II you were to fall int,
Mina's hands,"
Exactly the same thing. The blood
thirsty monster has never spared an,
OF my comrades so there Is no reason
; to think he would treat me different
ly."
There was the clanks of arms an,
as de Ballette turned his head he say
that all the doors were guarded b,
Spanish soldiers. At the same me
|. ment he realized what this meant an,
Z whose hospitality he had accepted. g.
he was not surprised when his hos
said:
: you are right, senior. I am Kavie
! Nina and you and your men will all b
e shot as soon rs We have finished thi
y meal"
With the utmost calmress tn
? young French officer listened to hi