The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1911-11-30
AT0DnC V7TTH A Story Of the
- 01D0 ~ IL Cell am are
TIIE ~ CE Mt" Conspiracy by
/ III IN Burton Egbert
Copyright by -J q. Lippdncott Company Stevenson
CHAPTER u-(continued.)
by ---J. B. Lippincost Company

CHAPTER II-(Continued.)
I should moi have been sorry to re-
main longer where I was, I prom
ised myself to seek her again before
the evening closed. Richelieu was kept
busy bowling to right and left as we
traversed the length Of the room. but
he did not pause. though obviously
many would have been grateful for
a seconds conversation with him. In
a moment we reached the group at the
FARTHER end. which separated as we ap-
preached and opened a way to the
duchess.
"Ah. Richelieu." she cried, as soon
as she perceived him; and holding out
her hands to him. II am glad to see
YOU, and hope you bring good news
II trust you will think it such, IA
DAME" replied Richelieu, and he bent
ever her hand and kissed it.
a curious CLEAN Illuminated the gaze
she bent upon him.
you have. then, ~decided?" she asked,
in a voice which she e~ndeavored vainly
to compose.
81 am at madame's service now and
always" and he bowed again with a
certain sterness in his ACE and without
raising his eyes.
The duchess went red, then white,
and her eyes were like twin stars. I
dim1y realized that she had won a great
victory. An excited Whispering behind
me told me that others had understood
better than I.
II thank you. M. lie Due" she said,
when her emotion permitted her to
speak. Believe me, your devotion shall
not be forgotten"
But I have forgotten something,
madame" cried Richelieu, gayly, as
though putting the subject behind him.
This is my friend M. de Brancas,
who has offered his sword in my serv-
ice.'
And in madame's, should she ever
have need of so feeble an instrument"
I added. I felt rather than saw the
questioning glance she shot at Richie
lieu over my bowed head and the at
hrmative nod he gave in reply,
m. de ranca is welcome she an
sWered, g~rac1ously. 'and his generous
offer shall be remembered. But you
tinued, turning to the group, which
had withdrawn to a little distance,
but which yet could hear every word
that passed. IT have much to do and
must leave you. M. Chancel, will you
kindly tell Mile. de Iaunay that I wish
her to Join me in the course Of half
an hour?"
/ gazed with unfeigned interest after
this remarkable woman as she walked
away. for that remarkable she was I
very we'll knew. A granddaughter Of
the great condo, she had been COM
PEELED by Louis XIV to marry the Duke
du Maine, his eldest son by Madame de
Montespan. an alliance which the house
of condo had regarded as a disgrace,
but which 1t was powerless to prevent.
This disgrace had been somewhat
mitigated in TIA. when the king had
issued q decree ~legitimating the duke
and declaring him competent to sue
coed to the throne In the failure of the
legitimate line, a decree which had
awakened lively dissa tisfaction among
the other noble houses, who were jeal-
GUS of their precedence, and which had
been the subject OF no little comment
even at Pottfers. Mademe du Maine had
at once taken a position commensurate
with this new honor, and her salons at
Sceaux and at the Tuileriss were
known by reputation from the Pyrenees
to the Mouse.
not beautiful. Her figure was almost
lnfantile in It's proportions, and a
slightly deformed shoulder DESTROYED
Its symmetry. Her mouth was large
and her other features irregular, but
this was more than counterbalanced by
the beauty and briliancy Of her eyes
I, who had seen them blaze under the
magic of Richelieu's words, would GER
tainly never forget them. 1t was Richie
lieu's voice which rouse me from my
thoughts.
Il see the people interest Won. dc
B~rancas," he said, "and we'll they may,
for it is seldom indeed that one room
contains so many worth attention
That gentleman whom the duchess has
just sent on an errand to Mile. de
Launay is Lagrange Chancel, whose
philippines have driven so many thorns
into the side of the regent. For my
self, 1 confess I deem the sword a bet
ter weapon Of warfare than the pen
but each has its uses. That man over
there in black and with the air Of OF
a bourgeois is de Mesmes, president Of
parliament, through whom we hope to
be able to do great things"
Great %things?" / asked. II do not
understand, monsieur
you will in time" he answered
smiling. Till then have patience. Yon-
der hansome churchman is the Cardi.
nal de Polignac. who affects to be alb.
Is really interested only in politics, and
in whom l have little faith. There is
Malesieu, madame's tutor, who was
wont to bore US nearly to death reading
the tragedies of S%ophocles when the
Honey Bees met at Sceaux. There is
the Able Chaulieu. whose age canno,
dim the brightness of his wit MOI
lessen the lightness OF his heart. AND
there is Saint Aulaire, whose 80 years
10 not prevent him entertaining 6
hopeless passion LOT the duchess, bu'
who knows nothing of politics anc
cares less, and who. consequently, Is
no longer In favor"
But. monsieur" I protested, ever
/ can see that this is no ordinary salon
These are not wits nor poets. The5
are not disputing. They are not ever
gossiping. They are talking in under.
tones. They ave an air of know
not what-of plotting, of intrigue
some Of them even of fear"
You have come dangerously neal
the truth, my friend" and Richelier
glaned about to see that no one heard
"They do intrigue, they are plotting
and some Of them do fear"
But what are they plotting? Whom
DO they fear" I questioned. determined
10 got to the bottom of this riddle Il
[ could.
Again Richelieu glanced about him
and at that moment Polignac touched
him on the arm.
May 1 have a word with you, NJ. Il
Duc?' he asked.
Certainly" answered Richelteu
though I saw he was not pleased at the
interruption. Excuse me a moment
de Brancas." and the two stepped t.
bne side. engaged In earnest conyarss.