The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1913-10-16

II Behrens. pressing his foreinger ON
his lips, stood for u moment cohtem~
plating the boxes, then making up his
mind which Of them he should open
first, he produced a hat OF lavender
with white ostrich feather plumes.
He stood for a moment looking 1T Il
and shaking his head.
in this light, Madame, this hat IS
almost impossible; however, to get the
effect OF contour" He handed Ii to
her, and she put 1t on.
Tilted slightly more to the left, Mad
anne"
''So?" asked the baroness.
Perfectly replied the hat-artist,
"and with the mouth closed, please.
1t Is not q hat OF conversation, but de-
signed for occasions OF Formally when
the Is isolated. as when driy-
ing alone. Madame de Stenlis win per-
haps give her opinion? Z"
But before Madame de StenIis could
speak. Rosine appeared at the door
way.
Monsieur de Sartines."
De Sartines had been delayed BY an
agent who had stopped his carriage at
the gates OF Paris n given him the
news of De Lussac's escape from the
bastile, the loss OF the papers Of the
Society Of the Midi, and the fact that
Beauregard q been all but slain In a
duel with De Lussac.
The news wal a terrible blow to De
Sartines. With the loss OF the papers
OF h Society Of the Midi he had now
no hold on Madame Linden, end
scarcely any on De Lussac. He came
to the house In the Rue Cog Heron
without arms, knowing his antagonist
was tribly armed, but without the least
knowledge Of how she was going to
use her power.
He entered the arena ana found her
engaged in trying on a hat!
"Ahl" cried Madame de Stenlis as
De Sartines bowed to his hostess, here
Is a better criticism than mine, De
Sartines. your opinion on the confec-
ton OF Monsieur Behrens."
Before De Sartines could reply. a ell
Very laugh sounded from the doorway.
tThey turned; 1t was Madame d'Har-
lancourt, who had just entered the
room, and who had broken into q laugh
before Rosine could announce her.
Ma fot. Monsieur de Sartines,, cried
h comtesse, almost ignoring her
hostess, you rave changed your trade
How so. madame?"
From buying consciences to selling
bonpets." She glanced around at three
hats which Behrens had taken from
their boxes and deposited, one on the
table, n on a settee, and one on a
chair. all waiting to be tried on. "Or
NA6 NAACy III GAnlDlIipn HWHMa#AHFsAa
Exhibition cut In Madame de Stem
lis. Here Is one. and IL asks your
criticism" She Indicated the baroness.
who, beautiful and statuesoue. the
highest compliment to Behrens' art,
stood almost Needless OF what they
were saying, her whole mind engaged
~ watching De Sartines and the deep
ner.
Madame said Madame d.Harlan-
court. turning to the baroness and
bowling. my compliments"
And your criticism" madame" re-
4 piled the other.
Monsieur de sartines." said Mad
anne d'Harlancourt, your criticism
first
"It leaves me dumb said De Sar-
tines, looking at the hat.
1T has that effect, monsieur; 1t has
that effect put in the delighted
Behrens. walking round the baroness
9 Q as to view her from all sides.
Dumb! yes, 1t has that effect"
n i shah always wear Il In the
presence of fools" laughed she. well.
Madame dHarlancourt, now that Mon
sieur de Sartines has given his opinion,
= nave you to sayf
Nothing, madame"
Monsieur Behrens."
"Madame21
You We're right"
I'm what way, madame?"
1T renders them dumb
De Sartines, sure that all this was
a prelude to tragedy and feeling as q
man might feel who is being murdered
amid millinery, drew close to the beau
tiful and poisonous-tongued creature
who was now gazing at herself In the
glass, and murmured, "a truce"
She turned from him without q word
to BehrenR. who was otferirg another
Il hat f0r 1nQna0tfnp az hafnrn cha GrCtslS
talre 1t, however. Rosine's voice came
from the doorway: Monsieur de
4 Joyeuse."
"Rosine," said the baroness as she
bowed to the newcomer. has Placide
arrived yet from tina business on
which I sent him?'
mot yet. madame
well, INFORM me when he does. Mon
sieur de Ioyeuse, I am trying on a hat.
Your criticism on it,1please3p
Madame, said De Joyeuse grayely,
Iait could not rest there"
And why, monsieur 2"
1T would be so anxious TO get at
i your face
"Behrens,' said madame, removing
the structure from her head.
"Madame?"
my hat has lost It's magic; II no
longer makes them dumb"
she glanced at the clock as shesspoke;
At pointed 70 G quarter TO nine. The
others. who felt sure that something
was going forward behind the scenes,
that some mystery lay behind this
foolery, stood by watching De Sartines
the woman who was playing this
curious game.
She was standing opposite to Behrens,
who was holding now in his right hand
a plumed and funeral structure, a
n~octurne. to use his own expression,
in his left hand a delicate creation In
pearl-gray.
She seemed undecided as to which
she should try on, nor had she made
up her mind when, like a thunderclap
Ito De Sartines. came the announce
ment from the doorway: Monsieur
de Maupeou.p
CHAPTER vi.