The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1912-01-11
ATnNDC XYZTrTH A Story Of the
L \ A ODDO v " 4 IL C~ellamare
-TTr ~ Conspiracy by
4 HI EO T. IN Burton Egbert
Copyright b -J 3. Iipppcott Company S Stevenson
J. B. Lippincott Company

by q squad OF mounted guards
stood before, it. .Maison-Rouge him
self met us at the door.
M. de Brancas,' he said, "the regent
has sent for you. Enter the coach, and
these gentlemen will eoHduct you to
him.
"The devil!pI thought. Tho regent!
What a he want?" But without. per-
hitting any OF my discomposure to APP
pear In my face, l entered the coach.
We were soon outside the walls, and !
looked about for an opportunity to es-
cape, but saw none. The guards were
too MANY; besides they were OH
horseback, while l should be on foot
Right across the city we drove, and ]
looked out upon the people pass
ing to and fro and rejecting
bitterly that they. were free and could
time for. meditation, for we were 'soon
at the Palais Royal, and W of the
guards ~dfsmonnting, asked me to de-
scend from the carriage. They placed
themselves on either side of me, and we
mounted the staircase. Some 10 min
utes we waited in a small a~nte-cham-
Der to which no one else was admitted,
and then we were shown into the pres
ence of the regent.
Good day, NJ. de Brancas,'' he said,
coolly; and added to the guards, you
may go. / fancy I shall not need you
again" Their he turned to me. Nov,
M. de Brancas; l intend to have a can
did a with you. But first. tell me,
why are you my enemy?"
But l am not your enemy. mon
sieur,' / protested
Then why 10 you associate with my
enenieS?" he asked. ~
sieur."
"Ah! But my police tell RE hi you
have. been in Paris but 10 days. You
seem to make friends quickly"
Monsieur" l answered, II admit
h a 10 days Is not a long time, but in
that time Nj. de DUO de Richelieu has
twice saved my life. 1t will take me
much longer than 10 days to repay that
Indebtedness"
Orleans looked ct me a moment. and
l fancied there was kindness in his
eye. / admit the man pleased me, for
he had an engaging address and an
affable and kindly manner I reflected
that in his youth this man had been
of high courage and ambition, n that
IL he had become a profiigate, It was
largely the fault of the king, who had
always hated him, and OF the Able
Dubois, who, had been his preceptor.
Doubtless something Of my thought ap-
peared In my face, for the regent
smiled somewhat sadly.
you have heard horrible stories
about me. have you not, M. de Bran
cas?" he asked. ut was /, they. say,
who. poisoned the young Duke and
Duchess or Burgundy. who am an as
%trologer. an alchemist, and an intimate
friend Of The devil"
"Oh, monsieur" I stammered. but
I have never believed such calumnies.'
mo-" said the regent, IT do not
think that my one who knew me real
ly believes them. Only. my enemies use
them against me in order to pull me
down. But the kingdom will endure, no
matter who assaults 1t. Do you believe
in fate?" he asked, abruptly.
Undoubtedly, monsieur" 1 answered,
and 1 looked at him with a~stonished
eyes.
He smiled as he glanced at me.
"You may understand, then" he said.
why I do not fear. For / believe that
1t is fate which has committed to my
hands the destinies Of this kingdom.
And I intend to deserve the trust
intend to make 1t a kingdom better
| worth living in"
He fell silent for a moment, playing
with a paper which lay before him on
the table. That he really meant what
he said-that he had In his heart many
plans for the good of the people, do
not doubt: All, that he had been strong
er and turned a deaf ear to those who
led him from his purpose!
A tap on the door aroused him, and
at bis command an usher entered.
"Wha Is lit" re asked, sharply.
"A deputation from the King or Sar-
DINA to see your higness." replied the
man.
The regents face frightened and he
Strengthened UP in his chair. Evident
ly, the delegation was welcome.
"Ah. about the marriage" and I bit
my. lips to repress the exclamation
which would have burst from me,
How MANY are In the deputation?"
Three. monsieur"
Then l will receive them here" The
usher bowed and withdrew. Nay. stay
M. de Bracas," he added to me. seeing
that l made a movement to leave the
room. This is not a state secret. but
merely n family AFFAIR. and one which
l am quite willing for all the world TO
know. Besides, there may be some.
thing which I wish you especially to
I felt my face crimson under his
glance, whose hidden meaning 7 could
not doubt. but there was no time 70
protest, even had ] dared "a do so. for
the usher was back in n moment
with the deputation at his heels. AZ
they approached the regent I gazed al
them with astonishment. for could
nave sworn that they were livid with
fear.
YOU come from the King or Sar-
DINA, ! believe. messieurs." said tha
regent, g~raciously. II trust that he is
we'll"
The deputies bowed ms one man.
"He is we'll. your highness," replied one
OF them. evidently the chief. land becs
to. present his respects and good
wishes"
y thank him." and the regent bowed
In turn.
And what message do you bring
from him?"
I noticed that one of the men was
wetting his lips convulsively. and as he
hesitated for an answer a apestry was
raised n q man entered, whom I
knew instinctively to be Dubois. The
regent glanced at him impatiently, but
said nothing.
you may remember, NJ. lie Regent
began the spokesman, In a trembling
voice. that some days ago the king
sent to you a request for the hand of
your daughter. Mile. de valos, in mar
riage."
Il remember It very WELL" said the
regent. a storm gathering on his brow
as ne began to suspect some unpleasant
de~noaeInent. What them"
Since that time" continued the am
~bassador, "the king las considered the
matter more carefully, and has found
that he acted in haste. and tina his
health VIII not. permit this marriage.
he desires. therefore. 10 withdraw the
request"
What" cried the regent. oundin
from his chair and seeming about to
fall upon the delegates, withdraw the
request? Do o know what you are
saying m~essieurs? And what in the