The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-06-03
By ALEXANDRA DUMAS

and he Thought that this was the mo- ment for expressing the desire which he was not to have made until the evening before the fete.
 Madame" said he, with dignity, 'there will shortly be a ball at the Ho- tel de Vile. wish that, to do honor to. our worthy aldermen, you should appear at it in ceremonial costume and particularly ornamented with the dia- mond studs which I gave you on your birthday. That is my answer 7
 The answer was terrible. Anne of Austria believed that Louis XIII. knew all and that the cardinal had per studded him to employ this long dis stimulation of seven or eight days. which, likewise, was characteristic. She became excessively pale and was unable to reply by single syllable.
 You hear. madame" said the king, who enjoyed this embarrassment to its full extent, but without guessing the cause, you hear, madame. You will appear at this ball and with those studs ?y @
 ssYes.' 1l Elk -
 The queens paleness. if possible, in- cfeased. The king perceived 1t and en- joyedsi it with his cold cruelty.
 Then that is agreed" said he.
 'But on what day will this ball take placer" asked Anne of Austria.
 Louis XIII felt instinctively that he ought not to reply to this question.
 "Oh. very shortly. madame" said he, "but do not precisely recollect the date of the day. will ask the cardi- -nak Then youswill appearY
 Yes, sire.n
 ssvery welf,,' said the king, retiring; T depend upon you"
 The queen made a courtesy, less from etiquette than because her knees were Anking under her.
 'T am lost," murmured the queen: l: Host, for the cardinal knows all, and it is he who urges on the king, who as yet knows nothing, but will soon know everything. am lost"
 She knelt upon a cushion and pray ed, with her head buried between her palpitating arms. Tn fact, her position was terrible. She had not soul in the world in whom she could confide with safety.
 Can I be of no service to your mai estyr' said all at once a voice full of sweetness and pity.
 The queen turned sharply round, for there could be no deception in the ex- pression of that voice It was friend who spoke thus. It was the pretty Mme. Bonacieux She had been en- gagged in arranging the dresses and linen in closet when the king enter ed. She could not get out and had heard all.
 The queen uttered a piercing cry at finding herself surprised, for in her trouble she did not at first recognize the young woman who had been given to her by Laporte.
 'sOh, fear nothing, madamer' said the young woman, clasping her hands and weeping herself at the queens sorrows. "I am your majesty's, body and soul. and, however far may be from you, however inferior may be my position, I believe have discovered means of extricating your majesty from your trouble"
 ssLook me in the facet" cried the queen. .T am betrayed on all sides! Can trust in you?'
 "Oh, madame" cried the young wom- an, falling on her knees, "upon my soul, I am ready to die for your majesty! There are traitors here. but by the holy name of the Virgin swear that none is more devoted to your majesty than I am. Those studs which the king speaks of, you gave them to the Duke of Buckingham, did you not? Those studs were in little rosewood box which he held under his arm? Am deceived? Is it not so, madame? We must have them back again."
 "Yes, without doubt it must be sop cried the queen. ''But how am I to act? How can it be effected ??
 "Some one must be sent to the duke. Place confidence in me. madame. Do me that honor, my queen, and will find a messenger"
 "But must write"
 "Oh, yes; that is indispensable! Two words from the hand of your majesty and your own private seal" But these two words would bring about my condemnation, divorce, ex- ile!"
 Yes, if they fell into infamous hands, but will answer for these two words being delivered to their address"
 "Oh, must then place my life, my honor, my reputation, all in your hands?"
 "Yes, yes, madame, you must, and I will save them all"
 "But how--tell me at least how?"
 My husband has been set at liberty these two or three days. I have not yet had time to see him again. He will do anything I wish. He will set out upon receiving an order from me without knowing what he carries, and he will remit your majesty's letter