The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1911-02-10
THE WIDOW
LEROuGE
CHAPTER XIII.

residence or Madame q Arrange, nav
ing truly need Of more bravery than
a soldier about to face battery. He,
| like the soldier, whispered to him
self, Victory or death!'' The march
ioness, who had gone out shortly
| after breakfast, had just returned in
a terrible rage, and was uttering
! screams like an eagle. This was what
had taken place. She had had soma
work done by neighboring painter
some eight or ten months before;
and the workman had presented him.
self hundred times to receive pay
ment, without avail. Tired OF this
proceeding, he had summoned the
high and mighty Warehouses OAR
lange before the justice Of the peace.
This summons had exasperated the
warehouses; but she kept the matter
to herself, having decrded, in her
wisdom, to call upon the judge and
painter who had dared to plague her
for paltry sum OF money. The re-
suit of this fine project may be guess
ed. The judge had been compelled to
eject her forcibly from his Office:
hence her fury.
4 maid was occupied in inundating
the cid lady with all sorts of waters,
in hope of calming her nerves. She
received Daburon as a messenger d.
rect from Providence. In little more
than half an hour, she told her story.
interlarded with numerous interjec-
tons and imprecations.
do you comprehend this judge?"
cried she. "He must be some frantic
Jacobin-some son of the furies WHO
washed their hands in the blood OF
their king. All! my friend, 1 read
stEpcr and indignation in your glance.
He listened to the complaint of that
impudent scoundrel, whom l enabled
to live by employing him. And when
addressed some severe remon-
strances to this judge, as it was my
duty to do, he had me turned out.
Do you hear me? turned out!''
NJ. Daburon, bewildered at first, now
She did not allow him to pronounce
| three words.
Happily you are here" she contin-
ued; you are always willing to serve
me, know. l count upon you, you
will exercise your influence, your
powerful friends, your credit, to have
this pitiful painter and this miscreant
Of judge flung into some deep ditch,
to teach them the respect due to a
woman of my rank"
The magistrate did not permit him
self even to smile at this imperative
demand. At the end of an hour, she
was, or appeared to be, pacified. They
replaced her head-dress, repaired the
disorder Of her toilet. Vanquished by
her own violence, the reaction was
immediate and complete. She fell back
helpless and exhausted into an arm
chair. This magnificent result was
due to the magistrate. To accomplish
1t. he had had to use all his ability,
to exercise the most angelic patience,
the greatest tact.
"Alas!" cried the old lady. II see
plainly that I must pay this man
without delay and it is frightfully sad
| for me, for | have nothing and am
| forced to make such sacrifices for the
sake of my grandchild."
This statement surprised the magis-
| trate so strongly that involuntarily he
repeated, half-aloud:
Sacrifices"
Certainly" resumed Madame d'Ar-
lange. without her, would l have to
live as am doing, refusing myself
everything to make both ends meet.
Not bit Of it. would invest my
fortune in life annuity. But know,
thank Heaven, the duties of moth
| er; and econimize all can for my
little Claire"
This devotion appeared so admira-
bic to M. Daburon, that he could not
| utter word.
"Ah! ! am terribly anxious about
this dear child" continued the march
| ioness. II confess, M. Daburon, it
makes me giddy when wonder how
am to marry her.
The magistrate REDEEMED with pleas.
ure. At last his opportunity had ar
rived; and he must take advantage Of
1t at once
1T seems to me- stammered he,
that to find Mademoiselle Claire q
husband ought not to be difficult"
Unfortunately, 1t is. She is pretty
enough, admit, although rather thin,
but. nowadays, beauty goes for moth
Ing. Men are SO mercenary they think
only OF money. do not know Of one
who has the manhood to take d'Ar.
lange. with her bright eyes for q
dowry.''
Il believe that you exaggerate,'' re-
marked M. Daburon, timidly.
by no means. Trust to my ex-
perience. which is far greater than
yours. Besides, when find SON
in-law, he will cause me thousand
troubles. OF this l am assured by
My lawyer. suall De coulpeueu, i,
seems, to render an account of Claires