El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-07-28
By Paul villiers.

broken his strength and made
him mere shadow of his former self.
Lying in his magnificent bedroom, he
thought:
After all, what good have done
France? I have raised her Of course
to a high rank among nations, but
at what cost The blood OF thous-
ands of brave men has been shed,
the state treasury is empty and the
glory cannot last long My politics.
however, must be carried on If
France Is to remain powerful, the
Austrian dynasty must fall And now
death is calling me- I know that
there will be sigh Of relief when 1t
becomes known that 1 am dead. but
another man will take my place and
continue my work.
Richelieu sighed and for while
lay motionless. Then the door was
opened and his valet Pasquale an
nounced that his niece Mile. Catherine
de Richelieu asked permission to
enter.
Let her come" said Richelieu, and
a faint smile fitted across his face.
He was very fond of his beautiful
young niece. She and her brother
were the nearest relatives he had
left.
Catherine entered and kissed her
uncle tenderly.
why. you are looking much better
today" she said.
Il wish you were right dear" he
replied. but I feel my time is up"
do not say that. uncle. There is
stu so much for you to do, and we
who love you cannot do without you"
You little flatterer." said Richelieu,
and pinched her ear What is 1t
you wish me to do. for surely there
must be something"
YES, uncle, but really 1 came first
Of all to see how you are. but then
1 have something very important. to
tell you"
And what is that, child?
Before tell you, you must promise
me not to get angry"
rs it as bad as that" the cardinal
asked with a smile
"Yes, it is. You know I am the
god-child of the king, and he has ar
ranged to have me marry the prince
de Cont. I have seen the prince now
and know better than ever that
cannot obey the kings will. The
prince is coarse and brutal. l tell you
straight, uncle. cannot love him,
and Will never marry HIM
And still the kings desire is law"
'I neither can nor will obey the
kings command. It is not only be-
cause I do not like the prince-there
is also another reason. / love another
and will marry no man but him.
The cardinal shook his head
What do you say? You don't
want to marry the prince and are
in love with another man"
yes, uncle"
THAT is impossible. The king and
%or, For
ons of state, and you must not In
terfere with our plans"
But surely uncle, you do not want
me to marry man 1 hate?
Now, Catherine dear. all marriages
are not built on love Sometimes
politics is behind the holy act. Your
feelings toward him will surely
change, and, remember. he is Of royal
blood
what do I care? hate him.
"And who is the man you say you
lover
TT is the duke de Meilleraie-"
$50 it is he He ought to be with |
the army now instead Of idling his |
time away at court
TT is 1 who have held him back |
here
your
Yes, we meet when am in at
can't be cruel enough to want to part |
us. Will you really take the respon- |
sibility of marrying me to a man 1
loathe? I would much rather become |
a nun than marry the prince. Tell |
me- you won't force me into this mar /
rage You have power and Influence
with the king. You can prevent it
THAT I cannot, my child. 1 would
gladly save you from ioveless mar
riage, but
NO. uncle there IS no but You
hold the supreme power in France. If
IL is nv money the prince wants, let
him have it. The duke of Meilleraie
will marry me even If I am poor. You
must listen to me and prevent this
4 cannot. my child. 1T is impos-
sible"
Yves you can. if you will only use
your influence. You, who have always
been so kind to me. cannot want to
make me unhappy for life. France
calls you the great cardinal Now
show yourself great, put an end to
the intrigues of the court and do a
good deed"
You do not know what you are
asking
Yes, I do. Save me from a life of
misery You said a moment ago you
felt death approaching. If that Is
really so, then see that I am married
to the man I love before you die
and we will both bless your memory
forever"
''Oh, Catherine. you press me hard.
I cannot bear to thing Of making you
unhappy. Go and ask the duke de
Meillaraie to come at once the only
way is for me to marry you on my
deathbed.'
ooh God bless YOU dear uncle"
said Catherine, with tears in her eyes.
I'VE will be here in half an hour"
She hurried away.
When the cardinal had donned his
scarlet robes, Catherine entered with
the duke, who threw himself down at
the bedside and asked the cardinal
TO forgive him.
THAT I do with all my heart. my
son. Raise your head and let me see
your face. I have. learned through
ong experience to read a persons
character in his face, and I see I
an trust you. You love my niece"
eyes. your enninence, with all my
heart"