The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1911-01-06

CHAPTER VII.

simple billet. 1t is dated from Venice
at the beginning OF May; It Is short
but, nevertheless, decisive. Dear Va
ierie, tell me, as near as possible, the
probable date OF your confinement
await your reply with au anxiety you
would imagine could you but guess
my projects with regard to our child
Il do not know" said NOEL
whether Madame Gerdy understood;
anyhow she must have answered at
once, for this is what my father wrote
on the 18th: Your reply, my darling,
is what ! did not dare expect it to be.
The project | had conceived is now
practicable. l begin to feel more calm
and secure. Our son shall bear IN,
name; | shall not be Obliged to sep
arate myself from him. He shall be
reared by NV side in my mansion
under my eyes, Oh my knees, in my
arms. Shall l have strength enough
10 bear this excess Of happiness? 1
nave a soul for grief. shall have one
for JOY? oh, my adored one, oh. my
precious child, fear nothing, my heart
s vast enough to love you both! | set
al tomorrow or Naples, from
Ehence shall write to you at length.
Happen what may, however, though
shall have to sacrifice the important
interests confided o me, | shall be in
Paris for the critical hour. My pres
ence will double your courage: the
strength of my love will diminish
your sefferings.'"
Il beg your pardon for interrupting
you, Noel, said old Taharet, do you
know what important affairs detained
your father abroad?"
My father, my old friend" replied
the barrister. was, in spite of his
youth, one of the friends, one Of the
confidants, of Charles X: and he had
been intrnsted by him with secret
mission to Italy. My father is Count
Rheteaus de Commarin."
Whew!" exclaimed the old fellow;
and the better to engrave the name
upon his memory. he repeated several
times, between his teeth, "Rheteau de
Commarin."
For a few minutes Noel remained
silent. After having appeared to do
everything to control his resentment,
he seemed utterly rejected, as though
he had formed the determination ia
attempt nothing to repair the injury
he had sustained.
In the middle of the month of May,
then" he continued. my father is
at Naples. 1t is while there that he,
a man of prudence and sense, dig
nified diplomatist, nobleman,
by an insensate passion.
dares to confide to paper this most
OF projects. Listen! M,
adored one-It Is German, my old
valet, who will hand you this letter.
] am sending him to Normandy,
charged with commission OF tn,
most delicate nature. He is one o.
those servitors Who may b. trusted
Implicitly. Tho time has come for
me to explain to you my projects re-
gpecting my son. In three weeks, at
The latest, ] shall be in Paris. Ii my
are not deceived, the count
ess and you will be confined at the
same time. An interval Of three or
lour days will not alter my plan.
This is what have resolved. MY two
children will be Entrusted to two
nurses Of N. where my estates are
nearly all situated. One Of these wom-
m, known to German, and to whom
am sending him. will be In our in
terest. It is to this person, Valerie,
hat our son will be confided. These
TWO women will leave Paris the same
lay, Gsrmain accompanying her who
will have charge OF the son of the
countess. An accident. devised before
hand will compel these two women
o pass one night ON the road. Ger
main will arrange SO that, they will
nave to sleep In the same inn, and In
he same chamber. During the night.
'ur nurse will change the infants in
heir cradles. have forseen every
hing. as I will explain to you, and
very precaution has been taken to
prevent our secret from escaping.
sermain has instructions to procure,
While In Paris. two sets of baby linen
lxactly similar. Assist him with your
Idvice.
{ Your maternal heart, my sweet
1alerie. may perhaps bleed at the
bought Of being derived Of the inno-
ent caresses of your child. You will
onsole yourself BY thinking OF the
,osition secured to him by your sac
ifice. What excess Of tenderness
an serve him as powerfully as this
eparation? Az to the other. / know
our fond heart: you will cherish him.
viii II not be another proof OF your
Dye Tor me? Besides, he viii have
othfnx to complain o. Knowing
ching. he will have nothing to re-
I, 1t: ana III that money can secure
~ xosl1 - ahau hava. D -