Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-08-29

But madame did not have a chanc
to mount the steps Of the carriage th
footman had let down for her. Th
sound Of horses hoofs was heard. ant
an officer. followed by dozen Horse
men, rode up.
"By order Of his eminence the prim
minister" he said. II arrest you al
and am ordered to conduct you to tn
Palais Cardinal"
The affair had got out at the bal
racks. some one wishing to curry favo
with the man who ruled France hav
ing peached. Yvon was permitted t
ride back TO Paris In her carriage, tn,
others on horseback, all surrounded b.
guards. At the Palais Cardinal the.
were obliged to wait several hours be
fore the minister was ready to receiv
them; then when they were admitte,
to his presence by the thunderclout
on his face they saw their doom
Yvon had worn her mask up to thl
moment. The cardinal saw It and sal
with icy sarcasm:
Lieutenant de la Tour. you remint
me of the ostrich. which hides his heat
In the sand to conceal its body. You
head will look better till am through
with 1t uncovered. You will oblige M
by removing your mask"
pardon. your eminence." interposet
De Fontayne. 81 doubt If he is De Il
Tour. This one Is a marvel with th'
rapier; De la Tour Is an indifferen
fencer. This one disarmed US all II
turn"
1--WE have need Of such men," salt
the cardinal to Yvon. "You would b.
better employed in my service. woult
see you fence with Carrier. II yo'
can disarm Carrier you will save you
head. Unmaskw
IF 1 unmask. your eminence. / can
not fight"
Not fight unmasked! Well. then
wait till you have fought"
Carrier was one Of those picked mel
the cardinal kept about him for pro
lection and q marvel with the rapier
The two were given foils. this being
great advantage to WON, who dreaded
bloodshed. For awhile 1t was drawn
game between the two. but finally, b.
one Of those quick moves that only
gift nerve, so to speak. can accomplish
Yvon placed the button Of her fol
against her adversary's heart.
Enough" cried the cardinal. "Vc
tor, unmaskw
Yvon took Off her face covering, ant
In doing so her hair, which had in 81
many trays became unloosened. fel
on her shoulders.
"a woman!" exclaimed Richelieu. as
tonished.
"a woman. your excellency," sh'
replied. "The wife Of Lieutenant d.
la Tour"
"Your husband! Where is he?"
"Shut up in our country place.
tricked him. Knowing Of your emf
nence's ediet against men fighting
duels. I determined to fight In hi
place. Surely the order does not appl!
to women"
"You are very shrewd." said his emf
nence dryly.
At this point an attendant announc
ed to the cardinal that Lieutenant d.
la Tour was without and begged to bt
admitted. The request was granted
and De la Tour. very hot and very rec
and very angry. entered. He looked
at everybody, finally fixing bis eyes OF
his wife. Then he turned to the car
dinal.
II have heard. your eminence, thai
my wife has been fighting In my steae
and that the party was brought here
by your eminence's order. Meanwhile
1 have been shut up like a dog ant
have just escaped"
"Your wife has saved you first from
a better swordsman and second from
my headsman." Then turning to Yvon
"Mme. de la Tour, her majesty hal
graciously appointed you her mistress
Of the robes. By your pluck and skill
you have saved every one Of these
men, including your husband. from thu
block"
Then Yvon approached her husband
shamefacedly. hung her head ant
glanced up at him appealingly. III
half turned away from her with fold
ed arms, tapping one arm with ht
fingers.
"You have made me ridiculous" h'
muttered.
"I would" interposed the cardinal
that every woman in France woult
make her husband thus ridiculous. tt
show you and others that she hal
benefited you the king promotes yo'
to be captain"
Then Jean embraced his wife.
It has been claimed that the reform
the cardinal was 80 desirous Of max
ing really began from that time. b
that as It may. Captain and Nine. d.
la Tour always stood high in his emf
nence's favor.