The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1912-01-18
j. B. Lippincott Company

stress Of weather could have driven
them apart! AS we approached the
fountain ] saw a proud figure standing
near 1t, which 1 recognized in an in
slant.
IT'S he" I said, and we fastened
forward.
In faith. I had almost given you up,
dc Brancas," cried Richelieu, gayly, as
ne wrung my hand and bowed to my
companion. How did you get out Of
that devil of a PRISON."
Very easily" l answered, "since the
regent was kind enough to open the
doors for me-"
That was thoughtful Of him, and I
envy you the hour you have passed
with this fair lady,"
"Oh, M. de Due" cried Mile. Dacour,
our conversation has beer most sober,
M concerned mostly with your af-
fairs"
ID Brancas," exclaimed the duke,
| your friendship goes too far. Forget
me, peg OF you, when you are with
Mile. Dacour. I should never forgive
myself II l thought that my petty con-
Germs interfered with the discussion of
things"
But how did you escape, MONSIEUR
l inquired. The regent sent a squad
ron or horse with you, did he not?'
"Oh, yes" answered Richelieu. airly.
but they do not know how to ride.
Last night We stopped at Chartres.
Ihls morning we set off again at a
snalfs pace, and by noon reached
orleans where we stopped for dinner.
l was ashamed Of the in
which / found myself and determined
10 leaVe II. So when the guards were
In a half omnolent state, digesting
their dinner like so many pigs. I
knocked a couple Of them out of the
way, mounted my horse and rode leis-
urely back to Paris by way of Etampes
Limours. Twas too easily done to
mention further"
But the guards are doubtless on
your track, II they have not already
reached Paris!" I exclaimed.
Il suppose So" said Richelieu, care
Iessly; but how can they suspect that
l am mere In the gardens Of the Palais
Royal talking to Mile. Dacour and
yourself, and that I am presently to
see Mile: de Valois again? Is it not SO,
Louise.
"Oh. yes, M. lie Due" she answered.
Come. She is awaiting you"
While l have been idling here!"
cried Richelieu, and sprang forward.
And II" I asked.
Come also, M. de Brancas,' she said,
smiling over her shoulder. 1--WE have
seen that you know how to be of SER
vice and that o are discreet"
l needed no second bidding.
"A Dank or clouds obscured the moon,
but Mile. Dacour advanced without hes
itation and led the way as l had expect
ed, towards the right wing of the palace
with the little garden in front. A gate
In the low surrounding wall yielded to
her touch, vi instead of advancing
straight forward across the garden she
kept to the right in the shadow of the
buildings, where suddenly she stopped.
] looked about to discover the reason
Tor this, for there was an apparently
solid wall beside us, when 1 saw her
passing her hand slowly over 1t, and in
a moment a section of the masonry
wung back. operated by a spring she
had pressed.
"What wonder is this ?" asked Richie
lieu.
mo wonder at ALL" replied the girl.
Simply n Of the devices arranged
many years ago by Cardinal Mazarin
FOR the purposes OF his own. There are
many such In the building, If one only
knows how to find them. Enter. mes
sieurs."
We bowed our heads and entered.
Mile. Dacour following us and closing
the hidden door after her. There was a
lighted lantern standing In one corner
VI siit oiiioit " III wIlICIl we IOunU
ourselves, and she picked It up and mo-
toned us to follow. A long, narrow
passage led to the right, and after
traversing this we came to a small
spiral staircase. UP this we mounted
and found that 1t ended apparently In
a blank wooden wall. Along this Mile.
Dacour felt will one hand and as I
watched her closely, a section Of the
wall swung outward. We passed
through and 1t closed after us. I saw
with establishment that the wall
through which we had come was Gov
cred with shelving, filled with Jars
Of various preserved fruits. glasses of
Jelly. and boxes Of swoetmeats. At
that instant Mile. Dacour held I'D a
warning finger end blew out the light.
ut is, indeed, an unexpected honor"
l heard q voice say, which l recognized
as that Of the princess. ITO what hap
py chance do I w it, monsieur?"
"who can it be-" I heard Louise
murmur, for we seemed to have CRAWL
tated together In the dark, and the fact
that she did not resent my encircling
arm filled me with unreasonable Joy
and made me bless the circumstance
which held us prisoner here.
II com merely to bring you some
news which I thought might interest
you." replied a voice, which mad me
start and Louise tremble. May I not
u bo is III "NtA
"Come. let us co. whispered Louise.
" Ills folly to remain here"
NAY. let us stay rather" replied
Richelieu In the same tone. 1T am
curious to hea this news which the
regent a brought. What say you, |
de Brancas?"
IT am quite content to stay I an
swered. and I drew Louise closer to me. |
"As / suppose you know. mademoi-
selle," the regents voice was saying
when the beating Of my heart per-
mitted me to hear "the King of Sardi- |
mia has withdrawn his proposal for
your hand"
ut has saved him a rebuff" an
swered Charlotte.
II am not SO sure Of that" and the
regent laughed. But do you know
why he has don this? l see from your
face that you do not. II was because
OF a certain rendezvous in the gardens |
here, news OF which had got abroad and
had reached the kings ears. 1t seems
I was not the only one who saw you
running towards your apartment that
night, and the others were not SO dis
Greet as 1. Do you understand now,
mademoiselle?
I heard Richelieu utter an oath and
for the latch of the door.
For Gods sake. keep quiet. mon-
l whispered. There may be
other news"
True" murmured Richelieu, and he
where he was.
There vas q moments silence I'm the
outer room, and then the regents voice
But do not despair, Charlotte. I
nave found O another husband. No