Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1912-04-11
sacrifice. What is there to prevent my

S0CxI llOOs- w Ilhl ii S0OXO " ~
taking o W in my arms. opening the
door of yonder closet. and with de
Brancas at my back running with you
to the carriage and starting for the
frontier?"
Again there was a moments silence.
"Ah. no. no." she cried. at last. DO
not tempt me further. Louis. What ]
am doing is for my own honor and for
France. My father a told me that
France demands it-that It will
strengthen his empire. II you knew
how hard 1t is-how l turn with loath-
ing from h task l nave to do-you
would not seek to make 1t harder"
Brancas." called Richelieu. come
here, my FRIEND.
flung the door open n stepped
into the room. Mile. de Valois vas half
sitting, half lying in a large chair. her
face white with suffering. her eyes
luminous with a great glory. Richelteu
himself was scarcely less affected. He
glanced at Louise. who had come from
the closet with me and who was kneel-
ing at the side of the princess.
Good" he exclaimed. Il am glad to
sec that you are here. Mile. Dacour.
Charlotte will need a companion. Win
you not accompany her?'
Il had intended doing so. M. 10
Due" answered Louise, gently. "wheth-
err she went north or SOUTH"
Tina is we'll" and Richelieu bowed
to her with that courtly grace which
so we'll became him. I'M. 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 sec how h
received this announcement. but SEEM
ingly she had not heard 1t.
And now, de B~rancas." continued
the duke. turning to me. I'VE must
make haste. We Rave already remained
here much too long"
TRUE" l answered. cit is your pur-
pose. then. to forcibly carry away Mile.
de Nalois
yes" and Richelieu looked me In the
eyes. Have you any other course to
advise, my friend?"
l paused irresolute. 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
low must bow" I said, at last. and
paused Sgain. I could not go on. Let
these two hearts settle the future for
themselves. IN. le Due" I said. In q
flrmer voice. cit Is not for me to give
advice. l will do whatever you COM
mand."
Again Richelieu walked the length of
the room, his twftching face telling of
the conflict raging in his breast. I
upon the night. Louise was sobbing.
Only the princess remained composed.
1 pray heaven that my heart may never
again be torn as 1t was in that mo-
ment.
M. lie Due" she said, in the same
calm tone h had used before. listen
to the voice of your friend and to my
voice, which. / am sure, finds an an
swering chord in your heart. II love
were the only thing I would go out with
love in the hearts Of all true gen.
tleman. Tell me. Louis. I have not
honor no less than love-"
Richelieu threw himself at her feet
knew he a won the battle.
Forgive me, Charlotte" he whis-
pered. in q choking voice; "I have
played the coward. not the MAJ Let
It be as you say. your honor and mine
And at these words my heart went
out to him. and I knew that these two
loved each other with a love In which
there was no faint Of selfishness. 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. I could
not trust myself to turn from the WIN
dow. The lights without were blurred
with my tears and in my heart wa q
great tenderness.
The princess was the strongest Of ~
all.
you must go. my friend" she said.
at last. my friend I shall always
deem ou-my nearest and dearest
friend-who stood true to me in the
bitterest hour OF my life. Look up
here. in my eyes. Do you see any sor-
row there? Sorrow there may have
been-sorrow there may be again-but
now it is swallowed up by joy and
pride in you"
1 turned to look at them. It must
have been with faces SO transffgured
that martyrs went to the stake-yea,
Christ to His cross.
Her arms were around his neck. and
she bent her head and kissed him.
1T Is the last" she said-sthe last
I shall willingly give" and she Rently
loosed his hands, arose, and stood from
him.
I'VE. also. must say goodby," said a
low voice at my elbow. and I turned
with a start to see Louise standing
there.
You. too. are going?" I cried, with q
great fear at my heart.
Yes. it is settled" and she was look
Ing into my eyes. MY place IL at her
side. But my sacrifice. my friend, IL
much less than hers. I am leaving, per.
haPs, people whom I love, but there n
no abyss at the end of the path such
as yawns before Charlotte"
NO." I answered. mo-" but I could
say no more.
continued. placing both her hands IN
mine. nothing that you have aver done
NOT even that bandage about your
head which tells Of q wound 80 nobly
won-has pleased me az did the words
you said to Richelieu. I read your
heart. and I raw nothing there but
loyalty and truth"
~.>A 49, - AA.