The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1913-07-03
y CHAPTER I (Continued.)
my handkerchief"

Left at my house"
De Sartines saw In q 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
n 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 al such an accusation
might seem, his thousand enemies in
Paris and at Versailles would seize
on It.. -
The very knowledge that It vas
false would make them more fero-
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 w position
and power. he had no fear Of the re-
suit. He would bring as many false
| witnesses as his antagonist; but he
he did not desire the scandal of the
affair and the laughter. Therefore, he
temporized. Besides, an idea had
come to rim He laughed.
Faith. pme," said he. you have
disarmed q.
with a handkerchief" .
mo, madame, with your wit. Re-
place that handkerchief in your
pocket, l pray you. There is no
doubt but that we shall come to terms,
and 10 further our better understand
ing Of one another, l will confess that
the -olice visited your house today,
not to search for a robber. but for
political reasonf." ". ..s.
"Ah!" .fn. ..".'
You see. / am perfectly frank. !
will tell you even more; they found
nothing. Madame, their visit was not
directed against you, / have no quar-
rel against you--only n piece OF ad-
vice to give you; do not, charming as
you are, mix yourself in these politi-
cal movements that are on foot IN
Paris. Save yourself while Q may.
T. He took a seat near her. His voice
had become friendly. The baroness,
hut for her deep knowledge of men
and her intuitiye knowledge or De
Sartines. might have fancied thai all
this was real. Profound as himsen
in deceit and even a better actor, she
listened while he went on.
you will forgive me the visit 10
voIr house when I tell you | forgive
that glittering fable Of the Jewels. on,
don't misunderstood me. You caught
| me fairly enough. and ! suppose ! must
nav We will arrange all that. he
smoke in a preoccupied manner Then
leaning forward. he took her hand.
"Well?"
Upon my word, madame. l 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 / do
not hate you for II. Madame, the
minister Of police Is no longer before
you. Know you not, madame. thar
every man is ~double?'
"of that fact. monsieur. l am well
aware" -
comes single" De Sartines continued.
80 men say. monsieur, pun alas.
when beauty ceases touching them
The 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 Is why w err"
Then, madame" said De Sartines,
his hand straying to her wrist, while
his knee touched hers. you, at least
have never erred"
"And how so. monsieur
Because you are divine .
"Oh, monsieur! II / thought you
were serious, / would think you-may
I speak my mind7" (
Speak" NJ .a.-. ~ .n#rs
"A fool" s. q )
"A fool!"
"or In love-" sal