The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1912-04-04

so we'll became Elm. 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 see o she
received this announcement, out 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" | answered. at is your pur-
pose. then. to forcibly carry away Mile.
de Nalois "
Since she refuses to accompany me,
yes" and Richelieu looked me in tho
eyes. Have YOU any other course TO
advise, my friend"
l paused irrcsolute. CHANGING from
one to the other. | could not choose
but speak, whatever the cost might be.
IF o were the only thing: if there
were not heights of honor before which
love must bow" | said, at last. and
paused Sgain, | could not go on. Let
these two hearts settle the future for
themselves. M le Due" l said, in u
llrmer voice, ut 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
he conflict raging in his breast. l
went to the window and gazcd 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.
M. le Due" she said, in the same
calm tone she had used before, listen
to the voice of your friend and to my
voice, winch, L am sure, finds an an
swering chord in your heart. If love
were the only thing | would go u with
you gladly, but honor must ever weigh
love in the hearts of all true gen.
tleman. Tell me, Louis. / have not
been deceived in you--that you merit
honor no less han love-"
Rlchelieu threw himself at her feet
with a sob and caught her hand. 1
knew he had won the battle.
Forgive me, Charlotte" he whis-
pered, in n choking voice; II have
played the coward. not the man. Let
1t be as you say, your honor and mine
before all else"
And at these words my heart went
out to him, n | knew that these two
loved each other With a owe in which
there was no ain 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 mvself TO turn from the win
dow. The lights without were blurred
with my tears and in my heart was q
great tenderness.
The princess was the strongest Of us
all.
You must go. my friend" she said,
at last. MY friend l shall always
deem you-my nearest and dearest
Criend-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 a%gain-but
now it Is swallowed up by joy and
pride in you"
TUNED to look ut them. It must
have been with faces so TRANSPORTED
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-"the last
/ shall willingly give" and she gently
loosed his hands, arose, and stood from
him.
I'VE, also, must say goodby," said a
low voice at my elbow, and l turned
with a start TO see Louise standing
there.
You, too. are going?" / cried, with a
great fear at my heart.
Yes. 1t is settled" and she was look
ing into my eyes. MY place is al her
side. Blu my sacrifice, my friend, is
riuCh less thar hers. / am leaving. per-
haps, people whom l love, but there is
no abyss at the end of the path such
as lawns before Charlotte"
NO" ! answered. mo" but / could
say no more.
And believe me. NJ. de Brancas," she
continued. placing both her hands in
mine, nothing hat you have ever lone
not eve that bandage about your
head which tells Of a wound so nobly
won-has pleased me as did the words
you said to Richelieu. I read your
heart. and l saw nothing there but
loyalty and truth"
/ gaZed into her eyes, which she did
not seek to turn from mine, trembling
in every understanding too much to
speak.
you may kiss me-" she whispered,
and | bcnt and kissed her on the lips.
Nov go, and let that be your accolade
for the knightly spirit you a shown
tonight. Oh, do not seek to hide the
tears. I could not love a man who
had not a tender heart"
She pushed men gently from her. /
turned to find that Richelieu had also
risen and was waiting.
come. my friend" he said, "let US
co. but he did not take his eyes from
the princess, who was standing, pale,
lovely, with the air of a general who
a fallen mortally wounded at the
moment Of victory.
l went to her and knelt as at a
shrine.
"MademOiselle" ] said, Il cannot
hope to tell you how great a reverence
you have inspired in my heart to-
night, but / trust that If you are ever
In need Of q sword and a loyal heart
you will remember me. I a think Of
no greater honor than that Of serving