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

SO well became him. IN. de Brancas
and myself had already considered this
contingency and he is to join us at
Brussels in a weeks time"
! glanced at Louise to see how b
received this announcement, but SEEM
ingly she had not heard it.
And now de Brancas." continued
the duke. turning to me. I'VE must
make haste. We have already remained
here much too long"
True" I answered. at is your pur-
pose. then. to forcibly carry away Mile.
lie yalois
"since she refuses to accompany me,
yes" and Richelieu looked me in the
eyes. Have you any other course to
advise, my friend?"
I paused ~isresolute, glancing from
one to the other. I could not choose
but speak, whatever the cost might be.
We're not heights of honor before which
love must bow" I said. at last. and
paused again. / could not so on. Let
these two hearts settle the future for
themselves. IN. le Due" l said. In a
irmer voice, at is not for me to give
advice. / will do whatever you COM
mand."
Again Richelieu walked the length OF
the room, his twitching face telling of
the conflict raging in his breast. I
went to the window and gazed out
upon the night. Louise was sobbing.
Only the princess remained composed.
l pray heaven that my heart may never
again be torn as it was in that mo-
ment.
IN. lie Due" she said. in the SAM
calm o she had used before. listen
to the voice of your friend and to my
voice, which, I am sure, finds an an
swering chord in your heart. II love
were the only thing I would go out with
you gladly, but honor must ever weigh
love in the hearts of all true gen.
tleman. Tell me, Louis, I have not
been deceived in you-that you merit
honor no less than love-"
Richelieu threw himself at her feet
with a sob and caught her hand. I
knew he had won the battle.
Forgive me, Charlotte" ne whis-
pered. in a choking voice; II have
played the coward. not the a Let
1t be as you say, your honor and mine
before all else"
And at these words my heart went
out to him. inc I knew that these two
loved each other with a love in which
there was no faint of s~elfishness. Years.
perhaps, would dull the sting of the
wound, but for them, as for me, life
would hold few sweeter memories than
that Of this sacred moment. could
not trust myself to turn from the win
dow. The lights without were blurred
] Will my Tears ana IN my n6dTL was d
great tenderness.
all The princess was the strongest Of US
you must go, my friend" she said.
at last. My friend I shall always
deem you-my nearest n dearest
friend-who stood true to me III the
bitterest hour Of my life. Look up
row there? Sorrow there may have
b~een-sorrow there may be again-but
now it is swallowed up by Joy and
pride in you"
I turned to look at them. 1t must
have been with faces SO TRANSPORTED
that martyrs went to the stake-yea.
Christ to His cross.
Her arms We're around his neck, and
she ben her head and kissed him.
st is the last" she said-"the last
I shall willingly give" and h gently
loosed his hands, arose. and stood from
him.
we, also, must say %goodby," said q
low voice at my elbow, and I turned
with a start to see Louise standing
there.
You, too, are going?" I cried. with a
great fear at my heart.
yes, it is settled" and she was look
ing into my eyes. my place is at hel
side. But my sacrifice, my friend, is
much less than hers. I am leaving, per.
haps, people whom l love, but there Is
no abyss at the end of the path sucf
as yawns before Charlotte"
NO" I answered, mo-" but I could
say no more.
And believe me, M. de Brancas," she
continued, placing both her hands IL
mine, netting that you have ever dont
mot even that bandage about YOU
head which tells Of a wound so nobll
wop-has pleased me as did the words
you said to Richelieu. I read you
heart, and--I saw nothing there bu
+ gazed -into. her eyes, which she die
not SEEK to urn from mine. trembling
+ IN every limb-trembling too much t.
speak.
"You may kiss me-" she whispered
and I bent n kissed her on the lips
Now go, and let that be your accolad
tonight Oh. do not seek to hid TIL
, tears. I could not love q man VIII
had not a tender heart"
h pushed men gently from her.
turned to find that Richelieu had ais
risen and was waiting.
!, Come, my friend" he said, "let u
CO." but he did not take his eyes fror
t the princess. who was standing. pale
} lovely, with the air Of a general VIII
has fallen mortally wounded at tn
moment of victory.
went to her and knelt as at
a shrine.
"Mademoiselle.' I said, IT cannc
hope to tell you how great a reverenc
: you have inspired in my heart to
night, but I trust that If you are eve
In need of a sword and a loyal hea1
! you will remember me. can hin c
no greater honor than that of servin
a. you"
CONTINUED Next Week.