The Washington herald., 1912-12-08

affairs that no man has right to
interfere i'll, but l must tell you that
the D'Harlancourt is spiteful about the
matter and nothing would please her
better than to do you an injury. Sc
you see came tonight into your bed
room to warn you, not to bore you
with lecture"
81 thank you, Monsieur"
Madame la Baronne Linden" con-
tinued the old fellow, drawing his robe
about him and laughing in a spiteful
manner, has set all these women in
arms against her.. Why? ,Mordieu
who can tell a woman's reason? She
is different from them for one thing
she is beautiful woman for another
thing, and she has tongue like poi
soned sword for another"
"A poisoned sword, oh, Monsieur
laughed De Lussac. 1T is very easy to
see that you are speaking from hear
say. not from knowledge"
Monsieur replied De Richelieu
before you were born, had lived
fifty years in the world. and in those
fifty years | learned never to speak
from hearsay. | speak from knowl-
edge. Have you ever heard this lady
from Niepna fighting a duel with her
tongue?
No. Monsieur, have not"
81 have"
And her antagonist"
Antagonists, you mean. They were
the Princess de Buemenee, the Com
tesse de Coigny, and Chiffe"
The Princesse Victoire!"
"Yes. They tried conclusions with
her and she left them binding up their
wounds. A wonderful woman, but
scarcely wise one"
AS how"
MA foi. how? Look at the result
Instead OF making friends, she is al
ready being banned. They call her the
adventures: they have alienated the
dauphiness from her; they have set ru-
mors going about her; they are making
Paris too hot for her"
Cats" said De Lussac, mot one
of them is her equal in worth"
"Or wit. and that is where the trOu-
bic lies. Women can forgive brains or
beauty in another woman. but not the
combination The empty skull hates the
full one Well. there you are, and
only say. he careful; for / tell you
quite frankly, my dear cousin, that an
amour with a lady so beautiful. so
witty. and so-shall | say-unplaced in
the social world is a thing to be en-
barked on with caution. am so much
your elder that you will permit me
TO say be on your guard"
Against Madame Lindcn?
No Monsieur, against your own
heart. You are a man with opinions
of your own and very self-willcd, for
which quality ! admire you. What ]
dread foI ,Ou J. marriage which
may do YOU infinite social harm"
81 thank YOU for your interest in my
affairs" replied De LuSsac.
And as he spoke the words. the howl
Of a dog came from the night out
side
1T is Marcchal Turcnne." said Dc
Richelcu. rising to 60 He guards
the house outside, while Mahon mounts
guard within
"Marechal Turcnnc-what is hc?'
"A wolf-hound, twin brother to Ma
hon. | must introduce YOU to them
in the morning Good night. my dear
Armand. and pleasant dreams"
The old gentleman departed. leaving
his guest standing staring at the clos
ing door.
While Mahon mounts guard with
in
The words were ringing in his cars.
and as if to give them emphasis, again
from the night outside came the deep
throated voice of Marechal Turcnne
baving the moon.
SO there was somewhere in the
house. wandering loose, perhaps, a
wolf-hound
This was a complication he had not
thought Of He was armed, as far
as the rapier at his side went, but he
was thinking less of his personal safety
than OF the fact that an encounter with
the animal would raise the house.
For a moment he stood baked, as a
man stands before some insuperabie
obstacle Then his knowledge of dogs
and their ways cam to his mind. Ma
hon would already know of his pres
ence in the house, would have smelt
his traces, would, on seeing him fully
dressed with a candle in his hand.
know him quite well to be a guest.
and would. hundred to one, greet him
as a friend, not an enemy; if he were
an honest man-rcspecting dog all
would be right.