The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1910-07-14
CHAPTER ".
a Scent of Danger.

A Scent of Danger.
1 bore the blow with such s~toiclsn
as l possessed, and even mad some
show Of listening and laughing at NJ
lie Comics account of our meeting
and subsequent reconciliation. Botf
women were unaffectedly delighted
with the sto-y. which, indeed, was tolG
with a wit and spirit quite beyond my
reproduction AS l write these lines,
Am again impressed with the wide diff
ference between the awkward country
poy who sat scowling in that pleasant
company and the accomplished and
finished gentleman who did 50 much to
entertain it. For l know that my as
sumption of ease and interest could
have deceived no one. All of us, ]
think, looking back over the mistakes
and gaucheries Of our youth, must feel
our cheeks crimson more than once;
certainly mine grow red when / think
apo the sorry figure 1 made that eve
ming. But when l started to set this
history upon paper, 1 determined not
to spare myself. nor will l.
"But who could have sent the mes
sage?" asked madame. when NJ. lie
Comte had finished the story.
i cannot even guess" he an
swered.
How was 1t delivered to you? How
came you to believe it?"
Il believed It," he explained, because
II was brought to me by one OF our Old
serVants-Lnroche, whom 1 left in
charge of the stables"
All, true" murmured madame. La
roche disappeared nearly a week ago.
j fancied he had run away to join the
revolutionists."
Perhaps he did, said her husband.
quietly.
Madame looked at him with a start of
alarm.
The revolutionists 2" she repeated.
lie was thew who SAINT tha mecca pa 2
But why? What was their object? All,
/ know" she added, with sudden con-
yiction. 1T was to deprive the Ven
deans OF your sword. in order that they
might be defeated"
NJ. le Comte smiled as he looked down
into her fond, admtring eyes.
"Ah, my DEAR" he 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 q trap"
From which you have escaped" she
rried ~triumphantly, and clapped her
hands.
YES" he agreed. but there was still
IN his face a certain anxiety which
she perceived.
What is it, Henrt?' she demanded.
you are not now In danger?"
He threw off his p~reoccupation with
. laugh OF genuine amusement.
In danger?" he repeated. Moor,
" least, the only danger to which I am
Exposed at this moment, madame. Is
that Of failing in love with you more
violently than everl"
For shame, sirl" she cried, blushins
hot alone.'
On the contrary" he answered. IT
ene for our young friends yonder," and
ne looked across at US with beaming
eace. and with q meaning In his ayes
which I tried in vain to fathom. II
cope they will profit by It,"
"Monsieurl Monsieurl" protested
Madame, restraining him, yet unable to
preserve 6, stern countenance.
Resides" he added, laughing more
and more, ut delights me to confuse
that pert young lady sitting opposite
us yonder. to make her blush as she
Is doing at this moment-and, I swear,
10 Is Tavernay! What O pair of chill
dren! II their parents had only the
good.judgment to betroth them"
more sharply. you viii not break
your promisel There was to be no
And I will say none; pardon me-"
sroke In M. lie Comte. "The tempta-
ton was very great" and he looked
at US, laughing.
But bent above my plate, all pleas
ure IN the meal struck from me. for
w = AlySeIl RTOdIlnR De.
meath my burden. All, yes-if our
parents
What is 1t, monsieur7' asked a low
voice at my side, and I raised my eyes
TO ind myself gazing into the brown
depths of those I loved. "You sighed"
she added, seeing that I did not under
stand.
Did II" 1 said, wondering somewhat
that she remained so unruffled by the
fire of raillery which had been turned
upon her. One is apt to sigh when
there Is something one desires very
yGluch ard yet may not possess,
Ieerflaps 1 can help you," she sug-
Eested. and / saw again In her eyes
that light which should have set me
IN my guard. 'If it is my smelling
No. thank you," I answered, with
aignity. Il do not need It,"
so % refuse to confde in me.
even when | offer you my aid?"
fear that even you cannot aid
me me madamoiselle; and il anyone in
! am not fond of riddles, M. de
IaYernay; and 1t seems to me that you
have just ~propounded one"
! spoke very seriously" I asked.
and as plainly as I could"
oh. you mean 1t is my wits which
are deficient! / must say, monsieur
I meant nothing Of the sort" / pro-
tested. Il meant
No matter" she broke in. Moth
ing Is SO wearisome as to have to
explain ones rieaning-uniess it be to
listen to the explanation I am sure
It argues dullness somewhere"
am sorry that I bore you" / re-
torted. stung to a sort Of desperation.
4 had hoped that I might, at least.
continue to furnish you amusement
Really" she cried, casting me a
brilliant glance. mot a bad ripostei
Come. we are quits. theni"
With all my heart" I agreed: "es-
pecially since You have removed your
button"
Well. finish itt' she cried, her eyes
dancing. "Finish I'll"
While | I'M too gallant to follow
your example," I added. relentlessly,
Good" she applauded. .aTouchel I
assure you, monsieur. you are not bor-
ing me in the least. All you need la
a little practiceEyou hesitate, as ali
beginners do. to drive the point home
---
Il am not bloodthirsty.n I interrupted.
On the contrary. I am Of q disposition
the most amiable."
sand thorn 10 oft1y ohn,xt 49,. !. ~