Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1913-10-16
a. Ole MINISTER
rs q POLICE
By HENRY MONTJOY
XkW2 caynA. 1912 III Boh.Meria ce.,,a,.
BY HENRY MONTJOY

Behrens, pressing his forefnger or
ms lips, stood for a moment contem-
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 at it
and shaking his head.
I this light, Madame, this hat is
almost impossible; however, to get the
effect of contour" He handed it TO
her. and she put it on.
Tilted slightly more to the left, Mad
anne"
Perfectly" replied the hat-artist,
an with the mouth closed. please.
It Is not a hat of conversation, but de-
for occasions of formally when
the Wearer is isolated, as when driv-
ing alone. Madame de Stenlis will per-
haps give her opinion?"
But before Madame de Stenlis 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, h loss of the papers Of the
Society Of the Midi, and the fact that
zoo q ptGI dll Uuy SIdll III d
duel with De Lussac. B
The news was a terrible blow to De
S%artines. With the loss of the papers
of the Society of the Midi he had now
no hold on Madame Linden, and
scarcely any on De Lussac. He came
to the house in the Rue Coo Heron
without arms, knowing his antagonist
was triply armed, but without the least
knowledge Of how she was going to
use her power.
He entered the arena and found her
ngaged in trying on a hail
"Ah!' cried Madame dc Stenlis as
De Sartlnes bowed to his hostess, here
IS a better criticism than mine. De
sartlnes. your opinion on the confec-
ton OF Monsieur Bellrens." q
Before De Sartines could reply, a sill
very laugh sounded from the doorway.
They turned: 1t was Madame d'Har-
l%ancourt. who had just entered the
room, and who had broken into a laugh
before Rosine could her.
Ma fol, Monsieur de Sartines," cried
the comtesse, almost ignoring her
then?"
How so. madame?"
From buying consciences to selling
Ponpets.n She glanced around at three
hats which Behrens had taken from
their boxes n deposited, one on the
table, one on a settee. and one on a
chair. all waiting to be tried on. "Or
are they for exhibition"
'Exhlbition," u in Madame de Stem
criticism" She Indicated the baroness.
VINO, beautiful n statuesque,, the
highest compliment to Behrens' art.
stood almost needless Of what thew
We're saying, her whole mind engaged
In watching De Sartines and the deep
anxiety v1dent in his face and man
ner.
Madame" said Madame d'Harlan-
court. turning to the baroness and
bowling. my compliments
And your criticism madame" re-
piled the other.
Monsieur de Sartines," said Mad
anne d'Harlancourt, your criticism
ut leaves me dumb" said De Sar-
tines, looking at the hat.
1T has that effect, monsieur: it has
that effect" put in the delighted
Behrens, walking round the baroness
SO as to view her from all sides.
"Dumb! yes, it has that effect"
Then I shall always wear it in the
presence Of fools" laughed she. well,
Madame d'Harlancourt, now that Mon
sieur de Sartines has given his opinion,
what have o to say?"
Nothing, madame"
Monsieur Behrens."
"Madame?"
"You were right"
In what way, madame?"
1T renders them dumb"
De Sartines, sure that all this was
a prelude to tragedy and feeling as a
mar 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"
h turned from him without a word
to Behrens, who was offering another
hat for inspection; before she could
take 1t, however, Rosine's voice came
from the doorway: Monsieur de
Joyeuse."
"Rosine." said the baroness as she
bowed to the newcomer, has Placide
which / sent him."
Not yet. madame"
We'll, inform me when he does. Mon
sleur de Joyeuse, I am trying on a hat.
Your criticism on it, please?"
Madame said De Joyeuse gravely,
"it could not rest there"
And why, monsieur?"
ut would be SO anxious to get at
your face"
"Behreas.' said madame, removing
the structure from her head.
"Madame?'
MY hat has lost it's magic; it no
longer makes them dumb"
n glanced at the clock as she spoke;
it pointed to a 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
and the oma who wa playing this
curious game.
h 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
p~earl-gray.3
She seemed undecided as to which
she should try on. nor had she made
up her mind when. like a shunderclap
to De Sartines. am the announce
men from the doorway: Monsieur
de Maupeou."
CHAPTER VI.
COMEDY OR TRAGEDY?
The vice chancellor, seated in the