The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1912-04-04

I but ave you from one danger to find
you Drawing another. You do not
I beseech you before it is too late"
Yes, I shall go in a moment, Char
lotte," answered Richelieu, IN a m1ider
tone, and you are going with me. AT
the back Of he gardens there IS a
carriage waiting, with four of the fast
est horses in the kingdom. In an hour
we shall be far from Paris. Another
day will find US safe in the Neither
lands and free to live our lives to- |
gether."
There was a moments silence, and
I could hear the deep, agitated breath
ing Of the person who stood beside me.
My hands began to tremble under the
strain, and I clasped them behind me
to keep them still. An increasing gid
diness reminded me of my wound. The
closet was insufferably close, and my
face grew wet with perspiratlon as l
realized my weakness.
And whose plan is th1s?" asked
Mile. de Valois, at last.
Can you not guess?" cried Riche-
lieu. ut could be only one mantle
one who found a way out OF the
Bastille-who has stood between me
and danger a dozen times-who even
at this moment is awaiting me in the
closet there.
I crouched for a spring. expecting an
instant attack from my a IN
the closet. and determined to throttle
lllIl III duy COSC DSlOIS Oil aiolit SSotu
be given. wen as I steeled myself
for the struggle I heard a startled ex-
clamation at my side.
Are you indeed here, NJ. de Bran
cas-" whispered a sweet voice.
Louise, oh, Louise! is it you?" |
cried, forgetting caution in the JOY and
great reaction of this discovery, end l
stretched out my arms and drew her
to me-. IT was just about to spring
upon you to prevent your escape" /
| o11n1 1o1ohfnp n11t Of the sheer ram
ture Of my heart.
She did not resist my arms, but. with
a long sigh, laid her head upon my
, breast. My blood was surg1ng in my
ears as l stopped and kissed her hair,
; and I felt that she was sobbing.
I "What Is it, my love?" l whispered.
ooh, you do not know?" she b
I Surely you have heard of the wedding
o. tomorrow"
1 yes" 1 answered, but that we'd
1 ding will never take place. BY to-
morrow Richelieu and Mile. de Valois
I will be far from here, speeding towards
the north Of France"
/ 81 wish SO with all my heart" and
. Louise drew back a little, but it will
: never be, M. de Brancas."
y What! v be2" / cried. But I
tell you that everything is prepared,
y y that all that remains to be done Is
y for them to descend, enter the car
. rage and give the word to the driver"
Fllo ll1oI I'D JuoS t'
. dOrleans will never do and though
. her voice was sad. it had a certain
a pride and dignity.
: / was too astonished to reply.
IN. de B~rancas." she continued, Il
= know her better than do you, far bet
y ter even than Richelieu. A woman has
her ideals no less than a mar. But
g listen, she herself is telling him."
In the tumult Of my own emotion
I had no longer needed what was
L. y ~ rN0Do hItS of
: this moment I heard Richelieu's voice
raised in impatient protest:
3 What do you say. mademoisele,"
. he cried, that you will not go with
me? And why, may yov ! ASK ms? z. Is II
- IN. lie Due" answered the clear
. voice of the princess, who seemed to
> have recovered her composure. ut ap-
IS pears f. ne that i san 9S longer be
your head I have agreed to his hate
full marriage. The reason is. mon
sieur, that I have given my word tc
q my father. and I do not choose E
- break it He might have distrusted
le marriage take place before you were
% released, and I should have con,
. scented without an instant's hest
tation, because I should have known
that he would keep faith with me. Blu
he chose to trust me; you were FREE
again an hour after I had given hin
my word. 1t Is to his generosity 70,
- owe your presence here tonight, mon
sieur. My sacrifice may be the great
~ er. but I do not choose to fall belov
H. Richelieu remained for a momen
L s~peechlgss. 1 felt the tears starting t
y THAT is grand; that is noble"
murmured.
Louise answered by a pressure of tn
IN hand, and 1 knew that she also wa
III affected no less than L.
CT 1t was Richelieu who broke the 81
oi lence.
"Giye me a moment for though
rs mademoiselle," he said, and we hear
ne him pacing UP and down the room.
D.. AS for me, l felt a great Leyerenc
Vn for this woman spring to life In m
wv heart. AS 1 had told Madame d
II, break her word; no woman can d
LIT that with honor, no more than an
II man, and my heart trembled with emo
We ton as I heard the princess take tn
a same high ground-with her SO fs
or above anything of which l had cor
ceiyed. I prayed that Richelieu migf
he not fall below her. Louise was cryin
lot softly.
ng "Charlotte." said Richelieu, at las
he you are tearing my heart to piece
est than you are. 1 was a fool to thin
of you would consent. But" he continue
OF In a clearer voice, II have given I
promise, my honor is not engaged.
have already refused to accept tn
it sacrifice. What is there to prevent n
ar taking you up in my arms, opening II
Ter door Of yonder closet. and with
d." Brancas at my back running with yt
ant to the carriage and starting for Il
Jed frontier?"
Inn. Again there was a moments silenc
om "Ah, no, no." she cried, at last, Il
ant not tempt me further, Louis. What
yer am doing Is for my own honor and f
Id France. My father has told me tn
red France demands it-that 1t W
sed strengthen his empire. If you kne
len how hard it is-how I turn with loaf,
Ind Ing from the task I have to .do-y'
ex- would not seek to make it harder"
or de Brancas," called Rkhelieu, "cor
his here, my friend"
I flung the door open and stepp
into ther room. Mile. de Valois was hs
sitting, half lying III q large chair, i