The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1912-02-15
CHAPTER XIII-(Continued.)
CopyrAght By

Cf1AI LII
HE will know from whom they
not to mention names" and / hurried
from the place. for l feared that one of
Herault's agents might arrive while !
was there. / met no n however, and
| turning UP the Rue du Chantre, soon
| reached the Palais Royal.
The Theatre Francois occupied a
| portion of the left wing, and the en-
trance vas crowded with gayly dressed
people. Thanks to Jacques. who had
been before me, ! had no difficulty in
occurring the place reserved for Rich
looked about me with no little interest
and some establishment. The hall was
not very large and but indifferently
lighted. Two rows Of boxes extended
In a semicircle around 1t. encircling the
pit. which was without seats. It was
already filed with q crush Of people,
who were compelled to stand on tiptoe
and look over each others shoulders
20 catch q glimpse Of the stage. The
stage itself appeared to be a mere strip
Of planks in the midst of this sea OF
people, for on either side Of It were
four rows Of seats, one above. the other,
enclosed in a gilt railing, and at the
back 80 or 40 people were standing,
through whom the actors must force
their way In, order to reach the front
AS was inevitable In such a multitude
there was a perfect babel of converse
ton. Most Of the boxes were still
empty, but from the pit came an uproar
indescribable. The din was increased
BY dealers In lemonade and sweet.
meats, who pushed their way through
the crowd crying. their: wares.
The boxes filled. gradually. most Of
them being occupied by elegantly at
tired ladies, many of whom were
masked. My attention was attracted by
q party Of especially distinguished ap.
pearance which entered the box acros.
from mine. 1t consisted Of three ladies
all wearing masks.
The ringing of a bell drew my eyes
10 the stage, and those who had com
only to see the assembling Of the audi.
ence withdrew and received their none!
back as they passed out. A boy snuffe(
the row of candles which served a,
kootlights, n the bell tapped a sec
Dnd time. Something like stillnes,
Yell upon the house, n I saw two gen.
temen-tattired in the mode Of Paris
with swords at their sides, precisely
as had every gentleman in the audi.
ence, break q way through the Grove
It the back Of the stage and advance
10 the front. One, SO the playful tolt
me, vas the Prince Of Euboea, and thu
1tHVi lie III dLld Nv OpCIl
Ing couplet was ringing in the air:
(Philoctete. est-ce vous? Duel couy
affreux du sort
pans ces lieux empestes vous fai
chercer la mort?"
From that instant I forgot the audi
ence and no longer saw the anarchron
SIN which gave this Greek tragedy al
khe appointments Of a French contem
borary drama. I heard only the ma
esty Of the lines, as the story movet
bn without interruption to the TRACED,
which vas it's climax. Thunders of ap
blause interrupted the actors at ever,
moment. The audience found in tn,
rst scene q reference to the king
hen only 8 years old, and to the re
(ent. These were clapped to the ech,
nd the actors were recalled at the en-,
the scene.
The act once over, the hubbub o
foices arose again, and I had leisur
b look about me. Unconsciously m
yes wandered to the box opposite, an,
started as l fancied l saw n o
he masked ladies make a motion t
pc with her fan. I told myself l mus
e mistaken, but a moment later tn
gnal was repeated. l arose from m,
hair and looked ~questioningly at heI
tl incredulous Of my good fortune
he nodded her head and again beck
ned with her fan. This time there wa
installing her meaning, and I hur
Jed from my box and made my wa,
. trough the crowd as rapidly as pos
, bic to the other side of the theatel
. 18th fast beating heart I tapped a
be door Of the box where the thre
dies sat.
. Enter, monsieur said q low voice
lhich l Ucognized at once as that O
lie. de Valois. "Ah, NJ. de Brancas,
i, he continued, holding u her hand
;" Eou are welcome. But I am ashame
you, sir. Do you always compel
1T was because ! could not believ
my good fortune" mademoiselle,"
led. Had ! known who you were
fear I should not have waited 70
en one invitation"
Il see my mask Is nc disguise, mon
eur," laughed the princess, for yo
4 Fem to know me now: Pray tell m'
4 you know these other ladies?"
a ! know Mile. Dacour," I answered
wing to n Of the other two. VIII
U NAMED silent, apparently absorbed
Itching the crowd In the pit.
n And how do you know. that?" sh
ked.
BY the beating Of my heart, made
N ~Plsele,". I answered.
~ NC pflHCebS duSIcQ IHeTTlly.
A pretty compliment, upon m
Prd," she cried. "Come Louise, ar
not going to give M. de Branca
nr hand to kiss as a reward?'
M. de Brancas Is too fon of kiss
hands," she retorted, without look
at me. Let him find others, as h
doubtless already done.".
dlle. de Valois glanced at my lugu
Gus face and burst into another pea
laughter.
IL is too amusing" she cried. "Bu
t. monsieur, let me introduce you I
other lady, concerning whom you
n tells o nothing-my sister, Mill
Chartres." d.
bowed to the lady, who was apps
Iuy some years older than Mile. d
Pois, and who smiled at me, gracious
The princess was still laughing.
Oh, come, M. de Brancas,'' she sait
I of that melancholy air. 70
ud rejoice rather than despair, 70,
you know, Louise 10 doing you tn
or Of being Jealous Of you. Thi
frnoon we were out driving, an
the Rue st. Honore who. shoul
see but M. de Brancas wadin
pretty oma held very affeC
Pately In hiae arms. It made IN
% leap and I was for cheering yo
? the carriage window. but Louis
me back and in a moment 20
e gone. / thought 1t fine, but sh
MS 1t was disgraceful and ! nearl
Ok with laughing at her indignar
on
ei IN, this IL too much" cried NIL,
te our, starting from her sea II wi
remain here to be insulted in TIL
w. hner."
Ph, do not TO-" mademoiselle,"
al, lored.
eB, stav Iouiae" said the Drir