The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1912-02-29
nDnG W7TT,H A Story Of the !
~ oDDD w Il Celia I'm are
TILE Conspiracy by
L III l. IN L Burton Egbert
80, Steuereo, I
!. B. Lippincott Company

he added, why he was SO anxious to
have no n else here molested."
Must it be, monsieur?' cried, turn
ing to Richelieu. lis this the only
way?"
This is the only way" he answered;
and then, turning to Herault, "Mon-
sieur, will you permit me to say a word
in private to my friend?"
'"There will be no attempt at es-
cape?" asked Herault. hesitating.
you have my word, monsieur" said
Richelieu, proudly.
'True." and Herault thought for a
moment. IN. lie Duo. I will withdraw
with my men to the stairfoot. In three
minut you will descend alone and
without your sword. Is it agreed7"
ut Is agreed" said Richelieu and He
rault and his men went down the
stairs.
"All this amounts to nothing, de
Brancas." said Richeieu. in a low tone.
This regency will not last a week and
SO the worst that can happen to me
will be a week in prison. What I fear
is that Charlotte. " estimating my
ridiculous sacrifice for me. OF course,
you cannot tell her of the conspiracy,
but make her believe, If possible, that
I an In nc danger"
II shall try, monsieur" 1 faltered.
"And tell Madame du Maine" he
continued rartdl- "t!at+e-e-yth!cSts
prepared at Bayonne and that my alb
sence will make no difference. My
men know my wishes. the town coun-
ell is ready. and the city will declare
against Orleans"
Yes. Yes. I will tell her"
And now. gooaby, my friend" and
Riohelieu took my hand. "You have
aIranG Ny- nnpfn,r,,n cd yoirc nl,1. 80 ,,alAu 4 ~
my behalf and that I am a prisoner now
Is my own fault and not yours. I
shall never forget it."
He drew his sword, threw it far from
him, and passed down the stairs under
the red glow Of the torches to the cap
tors who awaited him, his head proudly
erect, his lips smiling. The lights threw
flartng shadows In every corner, but
their bearers stood in perfect silence
with upturned faces, admiring, breath
less. Could I have known what was
to follow ere I should see that courtly
form again, even then, l swear it. I
would have rushed down sword in hand
n cut u way to freedom. But 1t
was not to be.
l stood there motionless till the tramp
OF horses died away in the distance.
Then l opened the door and entered.
1--WE a heard ALL" said Louise.
"Riohelieu is arrested"
And l am here" I added, gloomfly.
Believe me, We do not blame you in
the least, M. de Brancas," and Mile. de
valois smiled through her tears. You
did more thar any other man could
have done, monsieur"
I'm any event, there is nothing more
for us to do here" I said. Let us go.
But first, let me tell you, madamoiselle
that Rtchelieu entreats you not to over
estimate his danger, and not to worry
on his account, since he believes he
will be free in a weeks time"
He is trying to deceive me, mon
steur," and she looked ct me question
ingly. you yourself know how little
ground there is for such hope"
There is something which I cannot
tell you, mademoiselle," L answered,
but which will undoubtedly secure his
release if it results fortunately. That
Is true, believe me-" and without dar-
Ing to say more. I opened the door and
led the way Town the staircase.
we were soon In the street nj I
accompanied them to the little door
opening on the Rue de Richelieu
through which the duke had evaded
the regents first trap. they babe ms
adieu, and Louise gave my hand a
little pressure as she left me, but not
even that could lift me from the gloom
into which I had fallen. I returned
slowly to the Rue des Saints Peres.
jacques was awaiting me n paled
ASicAy a 1@6hl vi LILY uo"l lace.
What has happened, monsieur?" he
asked in a frightened whisper.
"Richelieu has been arrested. He is
again in the Bastille," I answered.
but you viii get him out, will you
not, monsieur" and the anxious fellow
looked at me piteously.
II will try, rest assured of that" ]
said, and I smiled, with tears in my
eyes, at his faith in me.
Sleep was long In coming to m,
eyes that night. If the conspiracy sue.
ceeded, Richelieu was saved. But If ii
failed, what then? I shuddered at the
thought, for I remembered the regents
last words to me and the look which
had accompanied them. AT last L fel
into a troubled sleep, in which I saw
again that graceful figure that descend.
ed the staircase under the red glare O
the torches. And then the scene
changed. There was the same sea o
eager, admiring faces watching il
~breathless silence, but the figure theJ
watched was going up instead of down
and on the platform to which it wa.
mounting there stood a block and {
masked man with an ak. And the rec
glow over it all was blood.