The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1912-01-18
CHAPTER TX.
THE CLOSET

Eight o'clock sounding from the The
atins nearby brought me out of my
reverie. l reflected that 1t would be well
to employ the two our remaining in
examining the gardens of the Palais
Royal and the building itself, in SO
far as possible, on the same principle
which makes the general attentively
study the field upon which he is plac-
Ing his forces. l therefore donned again
the gray suit I had worn two evenings
before, and buckling a sword to my
belt called Jacques, told him where
was going in case Richelieu should
return and ask for me, and left the
house. The weather la continued
warm and a full moon silvered the city
with a magic ouch. It seemed to me
that everybody was in the streets. The
Quail Malaquest vas crowded, even the
steps leading down to the water and
the broad landing places being filled
with people watching the boats drop
ping down the river or painfully MAX
ing way against it.
The Hotel de Mailly, just opposite
the Pont Royal. was a blaze of light.
ana 1 saw that some fete was In prog
ress. 1t was with difficulty that ]
crossed the bridge, the press of car
riages and throng of foot passengers
being SO great that they threatened
at times to burst over the parapets.
/ finally won across and passed before
he Tuileries. casting a glance at the
entrance of Madame du Names salon,
which was brilliantly lighted as ever
Here, too. there was a great crowd,
for the gardens of the Tuileries were
g popular pleasure ground, and in the
evenings, GVen In severe weather, We're
thronged with people who had no OPP
~portunity during the day of drawing
a breath of pure air. The Rue ST. Vim
cent brought me out upon the Rue st.
Honore, the busiest street in the great
city, and down this l turned, and soon
reached the Palais Royal,
I was already familiar with that
portion of the building which fronted
on the Rue st. Honore extending in a
line broken only by the great entrance
from the Rue de Richelieu to the Bons
Enfants, for l had passed it more than
once In my WanderingS of the week
I was alone in Paris. 1t was in the
gardens at the back and the buildings
facing them that l was most concerned
Tor l knew that the apartments of the
regents daughter must be somewhere
in that part Of the palace. | turned
down the Rue de Richelieu and entered
the gardens through one Of the innu-
merable entrances which pierced the
buildings along this street. The broad
avenues of stately chestnuts were
thronged with cavaliers and ladies
sumptuously dressed. many of then
wearing masks, from which I judged
that ours were not the only love affairs
afeot. But without pausing to more
than glance at them, l approached the
palace and examined it intently.
At the right was q low wall ancios-
ing a quare in which We're seVera
flower beds. a fountain and an avenue
of trees. This l judged to be a private
park. The buildings on either side o.
this small garden had blank walls. The
windows having evidently been omitted
to insure greater privacy. The row
of buildings fronting it, however, was
lofty and elegant, and built in q semi
detached fashion. l argued that l coult
hardly be wrong in supposing these
to be the apartments of the member
of the regents family.
Further examination confirmed this
To the left of the nall garden was (;
lofty building which resembled nothing
so much as a soldiers barracks. and t.
the left Of this again a high wal
pierced by seven gate ways gave en-
trance to the inner court, which l die
not attempt to penetrate. Still farther
to the left, and counterbalancing thu
occupied by the garden at the
right, was another row of tall and ugly
buildings, which I decided were occu.
pied by the servant of the palace ant
attendants Of the regent.
Having completed this survey,
turned my attention to the gardens. A
broad avenue of chestnuts extended
along either side. Between these ave
lloCo WSIS "lue lis "IlGIS IldlS
flower-beds doubtless doomed in sum
mer, and in the middle of the garden
was a ircular pool in which was q
fountain. Farther down the avenue
and near the end of the gardens l came
to the dryad fountain, which awakened
in me so sweet a memory that ]
fingered by it.
IN. de Brancas appears to be
thoughtful tonight" said a low, clear
voice at my elbow.
turned with a start and saw 9
masked lady standing beside me, but
the voice n the beating of my heart
told me in al instant who she was.
"Ah, Mile. Dacour," I exclaimed, bow.
ing before her, shall I tell you Of what
I was thinking? 1t was Of a night not
long s. when on this very spot l me-
the lady whom I love n whom I an
dying to serve"
mot so loud, monsieur" she com
manded; do you not see by this mash
that 1 wish to re main u~nrecognized:
Come, let us move away from here
Ills not yet time for the rendezvous.
Would 1t were hours away instead
of minutes, mademeiselle," I cried, I'll
1T were permitted me to walk with yor
here!" and l gave her my arm, vainly
endeavoring to put into words the emo.
ton which I felt. Perhaps she under.
stood, for she leaned against me lightly
and l caught the sweet, faint perfume
of her hair.
IN. lie Due will be here, will he not?'
she asked
II trust so, mademsiselle," I an.
swered. AS I upPss you know, he
was released from the Bastille yester.
day and ordered to Join his regiment al
Bayonne. But he assured me that he
would be at the fountain at ten O'Clock
tonight"
Then he will be there said Mile
Dacour, lightly. de ysu know, mon.
sieur, I am beginning to believe tina,
you and Richelieu have the power O,
achieving everything pom which you
really set your hearts,"
Would that I could believe SO, made.
moiselle!" / cried. There is one thing
above all others upon which I have SCI
my heart. Do you believe 1 shall
achieve that also?"
How can / teA," she answered
glancing at me with mischievous eyes
mot knowing what this wonderful
something is?"
But can you not guess, mademo,
s~elle?" I was trembling with Joy
and apprehension, q trembling which