Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1913-07-03
CHAPTER / lcontinued.)
MY handkerchief" i

My ndnQkerch1ef!'
( Left at my house,
De Sartines saw In flash the tolls
In which she held him. He could not
seize her or take the handkerchief
from her by force; accredited as she
was by the court of Vienna, violence
and bullying were out of the question.
She would doubtless back her asser-
ton Of the robbery Of the Jewels by
false witnesses, produce the handker-
chief, and no doubt accuse him of the
theft.
Now, absurd as such an accusation
might seem, his thousand enemies in
Paris and at Versailles would seize
on 1t.
The very knowledge that it was
.cious in their ridicule;; there would
be a public inquiry. De Maupeou, the
vice chancellor, who hated him; the
courtiers, who hated him; the people
who hated him; the philosophers, the
ballad mongers the rag pickers-he
saw them all arrayed against him. His
imaginative mind saw the ballads that
would be written round the dropped
handkerchief of Monsieur de Sar-
tines" CONFIDENT of his own position
and power, he had no fear of the re-
suit. He would bring ac many false
witnesses as his antagonist; but he
he did not desire the scandal of the
y,
temporized. Besides. an idea had
come to Elm He laughed.
Faith. 1me" said he. you have
With handkerchief"
No, madame, with your wit. Re-
place that handkerchief in your
pocket, 1 pray you. There is no
doubt but that we shall come to terms,
and to further our better understand
ing of one another. will confess that
the rolice visited your house today.
not to search for robber. but for
political reasons"
+ "Ah!'
you see. am perfectly frank. I
will tell you even more: they found
nothing. Madame, their visit was not
directed against you. have no quar-
rel against you--only one piece of adj
vice to give you: do not, charming as
you are, mix yourself in these poiiti-
cal movements that are on foot in
Paris. Save yourself while you may"
He took seat near her. His voice
had become friendly. The baroness.
but for her deep knowledge of men
and her intuitive knowledge of De
Sartines, might have fancied that all
this was real. Profound as himself
in deceit and even a better actor she
listened while he went on.
..You will forgive me the visit to
your house when tell yon ]; forgive
that glittering fable Of the jewels. Oh.
don't misunderstood me. You caught
me fairly enough, and I suppose must
pay. We will arrange all that. He
spoke in preoccupied manner. Then
leaning forward. he took her hand.
ssWell?"
Upon my word, madame. Il do not
known how to say what is in my mind.
You are the only woman who has
ever got the better of me, yet I do
not hate you for it. Madame, the
minister of police is no longer before
you. Know you not, madame, that
every man: is double?''
OF that fact. monsieur. am well
aware.
Till beauty touches him and he be-,
comes single. y De Sartfnes continued.
SO men say, monsieur, but, alas,
when beauty ceases touching them z
They become double again in a
That is true, laughed De sartines,
playing with the rings on her fingers:
I'VE are but human. /"
And being human, said she, re.
linquished her hand entirely to him.;
that Il why we err.
Then, madame . said De Sartfnes:
his hand straying to her wrist. while
have never erred, q.
And how SO. monsieur ~
Because you are divine =
Oh, monsieur! II thought YOU
were serious. would think you may.
4 speak my mind r., 'ss
'Speak ssS
AZ fool. =
fool ~
Or IN love, = 9: L