The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1911-03-03

terce.glns MS ia >ler, AIuerl au-
vanced toward him. They SHOOK
hands and embraced with an air as
noble as ceremonious. and in less thar
that had transpired during the counts
absence Then only did NJ de Com
marin perceive the alteration in his
sons face.
"You are unwell, visccunt," said he
"Ch. no. sir" answered Albert, la
con;cally.
The count uttered "Ah!" accompan-
led by a certain movement OF the head
which with him, expressed perfect in
creda!i;y; then, turning TO his servant,
he gave him some orders briefly.
,Now,' resumed he, let US 90 quick
ly to ne house. am in haste to feel
at home; and am hungry, having
had nothing to-day but some detesJable
broth a; l know not what way sta
ton
NJ de Commarin had returned to
Paris in very bad temper. his Jour
ney to Austria had not brought the
results he had hoped for.
the carnage stopped in the court
yard Of the de Commain mansion.
The count alghted first. and leaning
upon his sons arm. assembled the steps
of the grand entrance. In the i'm
mense vestibule, nearly ali the ser
wants dressed in rich liyeries. stood
in line The CONT gave them a glance.
in passing, as an officer might his
soldiers on parade. Never was there
a better regulated household than that
Of the Count de Commarin
The coffee having been served. after
dinner the count made sign, and the
servants left the room
Il see but one hope for the French
aristocracy, said the count but one
plank of salvation, one good little law,
establishing the right OF primogeni-
ture'
You will never obtain it."
You think not? Would YOU then op-
pose such a measure, yisaount?"
Albert knew by experience what
dangerous ground his father was APP
preaching, and remained silent.
Let US put it, then, that dream of
the impossible!" resumed the count.
Then let the mobiles do their duty.
Lei all the younger sons and the
daughters of our great families fore
go their rights, by giving up the entire
patrimony 10 the frst-born for five
generations, contenting themselves
each with couple of thousand francs
a year BY that means great fortunes
can he reconstructed, and families, in
stead of being divided by a variety Of
interests, become united by one COM
mon desire
Unfortunately" replied the Wis
count. the time is not favorable to
such devotedness."
Il know it, sir" replied the count,
quickly; and in my own house have
proof of it. |. your father, have con-
juTeG you to give up all idea of marry
ing the granddaughter of that old fool,
the Marchioness d'Arlange. And all
to no purpose; for l have at last been
obliged to yield to your wishes"
'Father' Albert commenced.
1T is we'll" interrupted the count.
you have my word; but remember
my predictions you will strike a fatal
blow at our house. You VIII be one OF
the largest propretors in France; bu
have half dozen children, and the!
interview with you indispensable NOW
therefore, beseech you, tell me
whether this substitution did take
place"
Certainly it did" replied the count,
violently, yes, certainly. You know
that it did, for you have read what
wrote to Madame Gerdy, your mother"
Albert had foreseen. had expected
this reply; but it crushed him never
theless. There are misfortunes SO
great. that one must constantly think
of them to believe in their existence.
This finching, however, lasted but an
instant.
Pardon me, sir" he replied. 81
was almost convinced, but l had not
received formal assurance of it. All
the letters that l read spoke distinctly
OF your purpose, detailed your plan
infinitely; but not one pointed to, or
in any way confirmed, the execution
of your project"
(To be continued.)