The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1911-11-30
CHAPTER II-(Continued.)

l should not have been sorry to re-
main longer where 1 was, but l 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
/ O 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. IL am glad to see
you, and hope you bring good news"
Il trust you will think it such, ma
DAME" replied Richelieu, and he bent
ever her hand and kissed 1t.
a curious CLEAN illuminated the gaze
she bent upon him.
You have. then. decided?" she asked,
In voice which she endeavored vainly
to compose.
II am at madames service now and
always and he bowed again with a
certain sterness In his face and without
| raising his eyes.
The duchess went red, then white,
and her eyes were like twin stars.
dimly realized that she had won 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 NJ. 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"
/ added. felt rather than saw the
questioning glance she shot at Richie
lieu over my bowed head and the af.
nrmative nod he gave in reply.
| IN. de Brancas is welcome" she an
swered, graciously, land his generous
oner shall be remembered But you
must excuse me, gentlemen" she con-
tinued. turning to the group, which
had Withdrawn to a little distance,
put which yet could hear every word
must leave you. M. Chancel, will you
kindly tell Mile. de Launay that wish
her to join me In the course OF half
an hour?"
: l gazed with unfeigned interest after
this remarkable woman as she walked
away. for that remarkable she was l
very we'll knew. A granddaughter of
PEELED by Louis XIV to marry the Duke
au Maine, his eldest son by Madame de
Montespan, an alliance which the house
OF conde 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 decree legitimating the duke
and declaring him competent to sue
coed to the throne in the failure of the
. legitimate line, n decree which had
awakened lively dissatisfaction among
the other noble houses, who were jeal-
BUS OF their precedence, and which had
been the subject of no little comment
even at Poitiers. Mademe du Maine had
at once taken position commensurate
with this new honor, and her salons at
Sceaux and at the Tuileries were
: known by reputation from the Pyrenees
! TO the Meuse.
| had seen at a glance that she was
rot beautiful. Her figure was almost
lntantile in its proportions, and q
Tightly deformed shoulder DESTROYED
Its symmetry. Her mouth was large
Ind her other features irregular. but
| this was more than counterbalanced by
the beauty and brilliancy Of her eyes.
l. who had seen them blaze under the
! magic Of Richelieu's words, would GER
! !ainly never forget them. It was Richie
lieu s voice which aroused me from my
| thoughts.
II see the people interest you, de
J Brancas," he said. land well they NAV.
/ for It is seldom indeed that one room
contains so many worth attention.
/ THAT gentleman whom the duchess has
Just sent on an GRAND to Mile. de
taunay is Lagrange ChanceI, whose
philippics have driven so many thorns
Into the side Of the regent For my
: telf. l confess I deem the sword a bet
/ ter weapon of warfare than the pen.
Tut each has its uses. That man over
, there In black and with the air of of
I bourgeois Is de Mesmes, president of
Parliament, through whom we hope to
be able to do great things"
Great things?' I asked. II do not
understand, monsieur"
You will in time" he answered.
, milling. "Till then have patience. Yon-
der hansome churchman is the Cardi-
! nal de Polignac. who affects to be alb
sorbed in new Latin poem, but who
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 Sophocles when the
Honey Bees met at SceauX. There Is
the Able Chaulieu, whose age cannot
dim the brightness of his wit nor
lessen the lightness Of his heart. And
there is Saint Aulaire, whose so years
do not prevent him entertaining a
hopeless passion for the duchess, but
who knows nothing of politics and
cares less, and who. consequently, Is
no longer in favor"
But, monsieur" 1 protested, "eyen
1 can see that this Is no ordinary salon.
These are not wits nor poets They
are not disputing. They are not even
gossiping. They are talking in UNDER
tones. They have an air Of know
not what-of plotting, Of intrigue
tome of them even Of fear
You have come dangerously near
the truth, my friend" and Richelieu
Glaned about to see that no one heard.
"They do intrigue, they are plotting
ind some of them do fear"
But what are they plotting? Whom
70 they fear?" questioned. determined
10 get to the bottom Of this riddle II
| could.
Again Richelieu glanced about him.
Ind at that moment Polignac touched
him on the arm.
May I have word with you, NJ. le
Duc?" he asked.
Certainly" answered Richelieu,
though l saw he was not pleased at the
Interruption. Excuse me a moment,
lie Brancas." and the two stepped to
,ne side, engaged in earnest CONVERSE
ton. I glanced about me, and seeing
that Mile. de Launay was making her
adieux preparatory to Joining her mis-
tress, fastened to her side
You are already famous. M. de
Brancas." she cried, IS l app. oachou her.
-Richelieu has dropped a word Of it.
Believe me. 1t Is not every one who
eareS to cross swords with the rOQues |