The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1913-07-17


Monsieur de Joyeuse flung his mud
at me"
"But he is not a cat.
mo, monsieur, he Is a cur"
De Richeiieu laughed. We'll. ma
dame, and how can ! help you against
these peOple7y
"Oh. m~ohsieur, you have only to raise
your voice and all these creatures will
fly. But wait! l said to myself, who
is there In all France that ! can ask
for a word OF friendliness2 All the
men OF the court are men of the world
who would not understand me. There
Is only ne,Nthe Due de Richelieu, q
great soldier, courtier, and a man
whose age places him above the fu-
tilities OF the world.
De Richelieu made a little grimace,
IL came here tonight and II found
myself face to face with a man who.
whatever his & may be, is not an
old man, and--you see ! am quite
frank with you'll feared
2HOh, madame, why should you fear1'
Alas! Monsieur--an unprotected
woman"
De Richelieu drew his chair close to
hers and took her hand.
Madame said he. you have sought
my protection. Why, then. should you
fear your protector Y
"Why-I fear myself too. Now, you
see. / am making more confessions
Believe me, 1t were better l should
20, The women OF the court who at
tack me are better, perhaps. h n
men who would defend me. / shall
leave France. Monsieur. release my
hand" q f
"A moment"
"Ah, YES, a moment--that is what
men always say when they can think
Of nothing better. Monsieur, the mo-
ment has passed"
De Richelieu, instead OF releasing
her hand, slipped down on one knee
beside her: the fire In the old mare
chaIs blood had broken into Tame
taking the captured hand In his iett
hand, his right arm slipped round her
waist. n#ga. ID -..s4N
Monsieur" said she, drawing slight
ly away, that is encroachment.
iNo, madame, 1t Is the smallest
waist in the world"
monsieur, IL / were q designing
| woman I might, now, turn you rouna
my finger. Oh, how weak are mem
Yes, madame, men are weak
| always, before loneliness. .. i.
Then, monsieur, be strong.
IL am; at the moment, perhaps, l
am the strongest man in rance
Then have pity on the weakest wo7
man. ' s.
II am all pity for weakness; though
hold you like this, it is only 70
symbolize that protection which Is at
your service, You say you have Wom-
en- enemies who are pressing you
hard IT.
mo, monsieur, 1t Is you who are
pressing me hard and when hard
pressed, a woman cries out. Monsieur,
/ am about to cry out"
"a truce, then" cried De Richelieu,
| releasing her and rising to his feet.
The baroness also rose up.
The conqueror OF Mahon calling Tor
"a truce! Monsieur, you are defeated"
II acknowledge It,"
IT have wound you round my finger"
Then, cherie, wind me III again"
cried Rlchelieu, laughing, half piqued
fire in his eye, and advancing VIC
torfously upon her.
This was the real attack, and
Madame Linden, with a little scream,
such as women give when they see a
mouse, outstretched her hands and held
him off. Struggling with him, half
laughing. painting, she suddenly drew
back. 49,.
Monsieur said she in a low voice,
"a moment-thcre is some one at the
door, 3gE s@,.. g%
be Richslieu, flushed and almost
Il IiIulupuaAll ItlOu W bAAS NObA A q
terrible oath. He opened II. There was
no one. ..- e'+ af
"Ah, monsieur, but there was" said
she, still in that muted voice that led
the hopes Of the old man heaYenward.
II heard some one. Go into the cor
ridor and see that we are alone"
He went into the corridor and in
stantly she closed, the door and locked
II. on him. She flashed across the room
to the bureau, The blood surging to
her face. ringing In her ears she seized
the handle of the top right-hand
drawer; 1t yielded. The drawer was
still open; she pulled 1T out; on the
top Of q number Of papers lay a folded
document. - .-, .. d..
Madame, madame" came De Rich
slieu's voice from the other side Of the
door, as he tapped lightly with his
knuckles. "'Openl Think II any of the
servants were to comet"
Monsieur" cried she In an even
voice, as she unfolded and glanced at
the document. Before I let you in l
must dictate terms"
/ Anything replied the voice OF the
due. only open" -..@
She saw De Sartines' signature,
folded the document and gently closed
the drawer. All. the time she was
speaking to him in that wonderful level
voice that told nothing Of her emo
tons or her triumph.
well, monsieur, my terms. are
simple. You must promise me sotemnly
not to modest me-"
Yes, yes, I promise"
mot to touch me- As she advanced
toward the door she was putting the
document in her pocket.
IT promise" ..'@. .
o you word?" .r "
ION my word" -... p.-.. ..
well then monsieur. I will open"
She opened the door.