The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1912-04-04
nDDC V/TTH A Story ofthe
oD1o ~ Cell am are
TIE n NTT Conspiracy by
J. III IN Burton Egbert
Copyright by -J. B.. L1ppsncott company Stevenson

out save you from one danger TO nlQ l
comprehend my fathers hatred. Go,
l beseech you, before 1t is too late"
Yes, I shall go in a moment, Char
lotte." answered Richelieu, In a m1lder
tone. and you are going with me. At
carriage waiting. with -four of the fast
est horses in the kingdom. In an hour
we shall be far from Paris. Another
day will find us safe in the Neither
lands n free to live our lives to-
gether."
There was a moments silence, and
I could hear the deep, agitated breath
ing of the person who stood beside me.
My hands began to m under n
strain, and I clasped them behind me
to keep them still. An increasing gid
diness reminded me of my wound. The
closet was insufferably close, n my
face grew wet with p~erspirat1on as I
realized my weakness.
And whose plan is this?" asked
Mile. de Valois, at last.
Can you not guess?" cried Richie
lieu. "It could be only n mantle
one who found a way out of the
Bastille-who has stood between me
and danger a dozen times-who even
at this momen is awaiting me in the
closet there.
I crouched for a spring. expecting an
instant attack from my companion in
the closet, and determined to throttle
him at any cost before an alarm could
be given. Eve as I steeled myself
for the struggle I heard a startled ex-
clamation at my side.
Are you indeed here, M. de Bran
cas?" whispered a sweet voice.
Louise, oh, Louise! is it you" !
cried, forgetting caution in the JOY and
great reaction of this discovery, end l
to me. II was just about to spring
upon you to prevent your escape" l
added, laughing out Of the sheer rap
ture Of my heart.
She did not resist my arms, but. with
a long sigh, laid her head upon my
breast. My blood was surgfng in my
ears as I stopped and kissed her hair,
and I felt that she was sobbing.
What is it, my lover" I whispered.
ooh, you do not know?" she sobbed.
Surely you have heard of the wedding
tomorrow"
Yes" answered, but that we'd
morrow Richelieu and Mile. de Valois
will be far from here, speeding towards
the north Of France"
"I wish so with all my heart" and
Louise drew back a little, but 1t will
never be, M. de Brancas."
What! never be?' l cried. But 1
tell you that everything is prepared,
that all that remains to be done is
for them to descend, enter the car
rage ana give the worn To llle ullNei.
"And hat is just what Charlotte
d'Orleans will never do" and though
her voice was sac 1t had a certain
pride n dignity.
I was too astonished to reply.
m. de Brancas," she continued, Il
know her better than do you, far bet
ter even than Richelieu. A woman has
her ideals no less than a man. But
listen, she herself Is telling him."
In the tumult Of my own emotion
I had no longer needed what was
happening in the outer ROOM, but at
this moment I heard Richelieu's voice
raised in impatient protest.
What do you say, mademoiselle,'
he cried, that you will not go with
me? And why. may I ask? Is it
that o no longer love me-"
voice Of the princess, who seemed to
have recovered her composure, 1T ap-
{ question 81 ny love. since Is save
your head I have agreed to this hate
full marriage. The reason is, mon
my father, and I do not choose te
break it He might have distrusted
me; he might have insisted that this
marriage take place before you we're
released. and I should have con
tation. because I should have knowE
that he would keep faith with me. But
he chose to trust me; you were free
again an hour after I had given him
my word. 1t Is to his generosity you
W your presence here tonight. mon
sieur. My sacrifice may be the great
er, III I do not moose to fall below
: my. father"
; Richelieu remained for a momen'
speechlsss. 1 felt the tears starting tt
THAT is grand; that is NOBLE"
y !, murmured.
Louise answered by a pressure of thu
q hand, and I knew that she also wa:
l affected no less han 1.
l 1t was Richelieu who broke the 81
! lence.
"Give me a moment for thought
$ mademoiselle," he said, and we lleart
him pacing up and down the room.
AS for me, 1 felt a great -reyerene
Il for this woman spring to life In m,
v heart. AS I had told Madame d.
K Maine, a woman may do anything blu
break her word; no woman al d
+ that with honor, no more than an.
I man, and my heart trembled with emo
G ton as I heard the princess take tn
a same high ground-with her so ia
above anything of which had con
ceived. I prayed that Richelieu Nigh
not fall below her. Louise was crytn
softly.
g Charlotte" said Richelieu, at las
q you are tearing my heart to piece.
y anu yel 1 WoQlu lOl IdFS ycu Oliie
than you are. l was a fool to thin
you would consent. But" he continued
In a clearer voice, Il have given n
promise, my honor is not engaged.
nave already refused to accept thi
sacrifice. What is there to prevent m
taking you up in my arms opening tn
door Of yonder closet. and with q
)" Brancas at my back running with 20
to the carriage and starting for til
I'd frontier?"
n. Again there was a moments silenc
N "Ah. no, no." she cried. at last. ID
1t not tempt me further. Louis. What
er am doing is for my w honor n #
France. My father has told me thu
ID France demands it-that it wi
ID strengthen his empire. II you kne
N how hard 1t is-how I turn with loatt
I'd ing from the task I have to do-yc
& would not seek to mske 1t harder"
r D Brancas," called Rschelieu. CON
is here, my friend"
ID I flung the door open and steppe
into the room. Mile. de Vaiois was ma
sitting. half lying In a large chair. h
face white with suffering, her ey