Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1910-02-25

another to dine at the hotel. While
they were nibbling radishes the
princess passed, radiant with youth
and beaaty. The count had for some
time been seekinga suitable Comtesse
d'Estagnon; the sabprefect was q
bachelor and M. Tokay de Frontignan
a. widowerf The threemen dining OPP
posite the beautiful unknown, felt
their hearts swelling with a common
emotion.
They were still more excited on
learning that the princess had M In
tentfona of leaving. She had given
Mr.. Pix to understand that, won by
the attractive surroundings of b,
she had made up her mind to a stay
Of some length there. Being quite
free to do as she chose, she even had
some thoughts of settling there per-
m~anently, should, she be able to find
an estate to her liking
M. lie Comte d'Estagnon- was the first
to confess himself a victim to love at
first sight. But the princess, lofty as
upon the occasion of her first appear
ance, remained unapproachable. She
replied very distantly to the eager
homage of the subprefect, the mayor
and NJ. Tokay de F%rontignan. More
over, the three men were constantly
and persistently In each others way.
Never did one Of them appear at the
Grand Hotel of the Red Cross, but
the two others, informed by some mys-
ferrous means, Immediately found
some pretext for joining him. Finally
they threw all pretexts to-the winds,
and declared open warfare, which they
found more to their taste. Then the
count had a brilliant idea. He took
note of a mark upon the cushions Of
the automobile, and five minutes be-
fore the closing of the postofice that
evening he dispatched the following
telegram:
A::5S EItTonabe Paris.
Send me at once. grande vitesse, a "a
horsepower car. ChequeF follows. Bal
ancei on demand. Chauffeur with the
auto.
CoMTE D'ESTAGNoN, Mayor.
Three days later he was In posses
sion Of the car and the chauffeur. De-
spair filed the hearts of the subpre-
feet and NJ. Tokay de Frontignan.
Gradually, however, 1t was borne ii
upon them that the telegraph must
have played It's part in so startling
an affair. With the aid of the little
telegraph operator, who was not
destitute of memory, two messages
identical with that of the mayor were
dispatched to Paris.
But the count had three days start
of his rivals, and he made the most
of them. Everywhere that the prin-
cess car went, that of the amorous
mayor was seen pursuing. Finally, on
a country road, the lady stopped her
car, alighted. walked up to her per-
spector, and said:
Now, sir, have the goodness to tell
me what all this means"
Madame" replied the count, his
Wild eyes starting out of his pale face,
1T means that | love you to distrac-
ton
"Really?" The princess smiled an
inscrutable smile.
Then, monsieur, / have something
say which perhaps will surprise
you. You are not entirely indifferent
to me-"
In spite of his determined holiness,
M. d'Estagnon nearly tainted with
and Joy. He had expected
a blow and had received a favor.
Only" continued the fair one, enig-
matically, II warn you that you will
have to have patience, oh, a tremen-
dous amount of patience!"
"A year! Ten years, if necessary"
reared the count
mo" she answered, smiling again.
let us nc fix an exact time. Let us
leave 1t TO fate to settle 1t for us. Let
US not say either ten years or ten
months. 1t shall be-stop, I have an
idea which has just come to me-that
alone is a good omen II shall be,
monsieur, IL you are willing, as soon
as we see In b. ten cars like ours,
of the same kind and the same
poweri"
She smiled again, bowed graciously,
returned to her chariot, and whiried
away in a cloud of enchantment.
'On the word Of a d'Estagnon! II
win not be tomorrow, but 1t shall DO
see..n