The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1912-04-11

I coed but slowly. Richelieu seemed
rather to court than to shun observa-
ton and nodded gayly to all whom
ne knew. But every journey must have
an end and at last we drew up before
the entrance to the Palais Royal,
crossed the court, and mounted the
steps together. The chapel was already
crowded with a gay company and they
seemed to turn their heads with q
accord and look at us as we entered.
Some whisper had got abroad Of Richie
lieu's love Tor the princess and every
one was curious to see how he would
endure the ordeal My heart leaped as
l saw him advancing with head erect
n eyes sparkling, bowling gayly to
right and left. 1t was as I would have
a brave man go to the block. He took
his station at the side Of Mile. de Char
olais, the regents sister. In the front
rank OF the spectators, and began q
lively conversation with her. I a not
his confidence In my power to conceal
my feelings, and chose a less conspicu-
Gus position somewhat in the rear.
We had not long to wait. A sud
den silence fell upon the crowd, and
before the altar appeared the priest,
vested in surplice and white stole. At
either side Of him came the acolytes
nj choir boys, and even as they took
their places the bridal procession en-
tered. l who was standing behind Rich
ellen saw the nervous energy with which
he grtpped his sword, but his lips stu
smiled wen when the bride, conducted
by the regent, passed in her wedding
ffnery. I gazed at her with bated
breath. Her face was white as her
wedding gown and her eyes We're lus-
trous n dark and full Of high pur-
pose. I had never seen her SO beauti-
full.
Ny eyes turned from her to the lady
following, and with p start I recognized
Louise. She too, was pale, and I saw
that her lips were trembling, but she
right o to the left. The crowd OF
courtiers n powdered ladies closed in
behind her and I dimly remember hear
Ing some nj say that the ceremony
was to be the simplest possible, that the
bride had so ordered 1t.
The murmur OF the crowd died away
to a whisper, to profound silence, broken
only by the voice of the priest. I felt
my head wh1rling and my hand trem-
bling like a leaf. And then came the
voice of the princess, calm, clear, firm
and my eyes were wet with tears. I
dared not glance in Richelieu's direc-
ton. I feared h even yet he might
attempt to drag her from the altar.
Above the beating OF my heart arose
the voice Of the priest
Ego %conjungo vos in matrimonium,
in nomine PATHS, ct Eilii, ct Spiritus
Sanctu."
And 1t was done. I know not what I
had expected-a bolt from heaven, per-
haps-some warning Of divine displeas-
ure-but in my heart I had not until
this moment believed that this marriage
was to be. What followed I do not
know. 7 heard a confused sound of
chanting far in the distance; the odor
of incense was in my nostrils. A move
ment in the crowd jostled me rudely
and as the people fell back to right
and left I saw again the victim Of
this sacrifice, her eyes luminous, her
face more livid, but her head no less
side was a dark and swarthy man
whom I had never seer before, but
whom I knew to be the representative
Of the Due de Modena, for the mar
riage had been by proxy. They passed
down the aisle and out Of sight.
I stood as q man dazed. / could not
believe that what l had witnessed had
really happened. 1t seemed that I must
be dreaming. A touch on the arm
~eroEseS-1ne and L turned to find Richie
lieu at my side.
Come, my friend he said, smiling
der from the regent It is to join my
regiment at Bayonne without delay. A
guard Of horse awaits me at the door"
And you will go?" I asked.
yes he answered, Il shall be glad
to get away from Paris for a time.
There Is nothing but sad memories here
for me. You are to take my house for
your. home" he continued, earnestly.
Perhaps. some time, you ma even
care to join me at Bayonne. Good
by, my friend" and as though unable
to say more, he pressed my hand and
hurried towards the door.
I gazed after him until he had disap-
np9ra6 In the nrnry1 on1 -,o-5an.l
sadly what l should do alone in Paris.
| Without Richelieu and without Louise
my life would indeed be aimless and
void Of interest. 1 watched the crowd
as it gradually dispersed. More thar
one curious glance was shot In my di-
the chapel soon became deserted.
A voice at my side startled me.
Monsieur has an appointment with
the regent, has he not?" asked the
voice, and l turned and saw one of the
ushers of the palace.
Yes; l had forgot it," I answered, re-
membering in a moment the order
had received ere I was out Of bed.
Il Will conduc monsieur to the aud
ience-chamber," he said, and at a ges-
ture Of assent he led the way.
DO you know when Mile. de Valois
~leayes?"' l asked.
THE Duchess de Modena leaves at
once for Italy to join her husband"
True" I murrnured, she is no long
er Mile. de Valois," Ink I followed him
in silence I was not, then, to see Lou
Use again. There was no room In ms
heart for any other thought. I was
crushed, hopeless. My guide opened
the door into h audience-chamber
! which / knew SO well. He stood aside
and l entered. A glance showed me
that the room was empty.
1.-THE regent requests you to await
him here, monsieur" said the usher
and closed the door.
I sank into a chair, utterly weary and
disheartened. Never, even at Poitiers
had mU life appeared so barren and sc
fruitless. l felt as a shipwrecked mar
must feel who is left alone in the midst
Of a great waste Of water, without &
spar to cling to. without a hope Of sue
cor-overwhelmed, impotent, a pigmy
1 comprehended dimly that I had beer
struggling against a force greater thar
I had understood-a force that hat
brushed me aside out OF its path with.
out seeing me-a force against which
my puny strength counted as less thar
nothing.
The opening Of a door aroused me
nn1 7 rnon &c r ~ ~ w. a@-1-A