The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1913-08-07


And certainly not to be kept walt
ing, she finished, rising from her chair
IQuetfng room,
Madame" cried Beauregard. rising
from his chair. that Is the door OF the
bandueting room"
..AIi the better. I am hungry"
To the horror OF Beauregard, she
flung the door open and stood looking
at the company. who dropped their
knives and forks at this extraordinary
interruption.
recting the service, stood as though
he had suddenly been turned to
stone; the lackeys gaped, and De joy
euse, who raj in the act OF raising q
glass OF champagne to his lips, split IL
on his coat.
Just for a second she stood stariig
at them, and then she broke into q
peal OF laughter.
rMa foii' cried she, "Monsieur de
Sartines, Monsieur de Joyeuse, Madame
de Stenlis and the Comtesse d'Harlan-
court all around one table, Poor ta-
ble!" She turned her back on them and
came toward Beauregard
Now you will see something funny"
said she.
Beauregard wiped the sweat from his
brown, but he a no time to think.
for De Sartine5, flushed with wine and
anger, serviette In hand, was at the
door; behind him came the others.
II told you you would see something
funny" said the baroness, still address,
ing the unfortunate Bearregard.
"Youi" cried De Sartines, whose
anger now had so mastered him that
he could not find words.
why she cried, utterly ignoring
him as De Joyeuse entered. followed
by the Others, here is something fun
well, cocette!p burst out De Sar-
tines, the brute I'm him predominating.
"YCu have arrived at last?"
Monsieur said the baroness, flush
ing over neck and face. you shall pay
me for that word"
Beauregard, who could scarcely con-
tain his indignation, made a movement.
Monsieur B~eauregard,'' said De Sar-
tines, leave the room" Y4
Beaursgard bowed low. then he left
the room.
Monsieur said the baroness. turn
ing TO De Sartines and suddenly chang
ing her tone. you have arrested me?'
Il am I'm your power"
Precisely"
mercifuL = t
Madame. to such as you 1 am merci-
less" g5o =,
"And you, Madame?' said the baron
ess. turning to Madame de Stenlis.
"She speaks to mel" said Madame de
Stenlis. turning to Madame d'Harlan-
court.
'And you, Madame?" said the baron-
ess. turning to Madame d'Harlancourt.
she speaks to mel" cried Madame
dHarlancourt, turning to Madame de
StenIis. J.
The baroness turned her back on
them and faced De Sartines.
Monsieur" said she, 1--WE grow on
what We feed. You have fed on merci-
lessness; merciless will T be. Do you
think for a moment, Monsieur, that i
would have attacked you unless I had
been armed TO the teeth?"~
"Ahai" thought De Richelieu, who,
you will have noticed, took no part In
the batting of this possibly powerful
woman, shall see something now.''
Armed to the teeth, and I will de-
stroy your complacence with one
word" She turned to the others. Look
on Monsieur de Sartfnes' face as 1 say
the word: study it, n
Wen, Madame said De Sartines,
folding his arms. Say your word.
"Pcrcheron!" said the baroness,
"Cordieu," cried De Sartines, starting
back as II she had struck him.
'Porcheroni' cried the baroness
again, advancing toward him while he
word were a whip. Then of a sudden
he regained his self-possession.
MADAME" said he. IT must speak
with o alone"
Monsieur, replied she, IT prefer
speaking to you in public" d.,
IT forbid It'll" l%ME. f.. IS
She laughed grimly, then, after a mo-
ment's reflection: Very well. Mon
sieur," she said, '1et us speak In prf-
vate. This window opens upon the ter
race; let us go out"
De Sartines opened the window and
followed her out on the terrace, leav-
ing the others amazed at the turn
things a taken: all but De Richelieu,
who, however, said nothing, pretending
an establishment equal to theirs.
Now, Monsieur" said the baroness,
when they were alone, "let us be ex-
plctt" She took a paper from her
pocket and handed 1t to him. He
looked at II; It was a copy OF the con-
tract, exact ! n every detail, made in
her handwriting. Having glanced al
r. he folded it End placed it in his
pocket, 81
Well, Madame" said he, ut seems
you have been al great trouble to place
yourself In this position.
What position, Monsieur
MY prisoner, and a prisoner OF the
state until Q u death"
She made an impatient gesture.
When will you learn to understand
me? Let us be clear. You intend 4
imprison me?' "
De Sartines bowed.