Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1913-06-12
CHApTER xr

~ PARIS FALLS ON MADAME.
Madame Linden. standing at the
window OF her boudoir, watched De
Lussac as he took his departure, She
saw him crossing the courtyard. and
as the gate closed behind him she
turned to the table where Plao!dc had
placed the Sevres bowl and the flow
sers.
Utterly unconscious that the hand OF
De Sartines was about to fall on the
she arranged the flowers in the bowl,
with the completion Of her plan against
De Sartines
The insult that the minister of po-
lice had just placed on her by making q
search at her house. and ta,npering
with her private papers had brought
to head her feeling of bitterness
against the whole court OF France:
against the men false and polished. and
those women, faithless, futile, and fero-
sclouS in their ennities, whom II had
been her lot to meet
She would have felt more bitter still
had she known how, during the last
few days rumor had busted itself with
her and her affairs. 1t was already
Known. In some miraculous way, that
De SartineS considered her attainted.
that his hand might fall on her at
any moment, and 1t was said that an
order of deportation was already drawn
oPs oAAN w OllAy WhlllHS The SlK0atUTS
of the king
AS she stood arranging the flowers
a knock came to the door and Rosire
entered.
Monsieur de Joyeuse to see you,
Inadame''
oh Monsieur de Joyeuse to see me !:
Well. show him up
Rosine vanished and reappeared a
moment later holding the door aopen.
Monsieur de Joyeuse'
DE Joyesuse entered and bowed to
Madame la Baronne. He was exuuis-
ltely dressed, stmpering, an almost per-
feet fool In appearances; in reality, a
cal even in his vices
Why, monsieur" said the baroness.
AS he kissed the tips OF her fingers
and released her hand, this is an UNI
expected pleasure"
On my part. Madame" replied De
'Joyeuse, casting his eyes over his own
reflection in the long mirror on the
wall. the pleasure has been heightened
by expectancy
He took his seat on the chair ma
dame Indicated and which gave him
full command of the mirror. crossed
his legs, played with his eye glass. and
admired himself languidly while ara
went on with the ARRANGEMENT OF har
flowers. n -
And Madame de Joyeuse." said the
baroness. how is she?"
Oh, ma fol-" replied this ideal hus-
band. In weary tone OF voice, SHE a
just the same as ever. Madame 62. =
Sixty two! Why. would not have
guessed her for more than 60 when I
last met her And do you always
herald your answers as to your wife 8
health with a statement Of her age ~
Ma fol, yes. It saves trouble.
Monsieur de Joyeuse, how is your
Wife,? Madame. she is g.. Is not
that far shorter than saying. THANK
you. madame, my wife has touch Of
rheumatism she Is garrulous with old
age. and has the temper Of f1end?' !"
AND you married your wife. nom
sieur-' =.
For her money. madame / am
frank. Otherwise would be externally
lighting duels to force down mems
throats the lie that my wife is is and
l married her for slaer face
monsieur, asked the baroness
gravely and in a SOLICITORS voice. II
trust you find that mirror comfort
able?"
Quite. madame replied the inner
turbable De Joyeuse. 1T Is almost a
perfect fit. though with regard to tina
lighting OF the room. 1t is unhappily
placed