Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1913-08-07

And certainty not to be kept wait
ing" she finished. rising from her chair
and approaching the door OF the ban
quoting room.
from his chair. that is the door of the
~banqueting room"
"All the better. l am hungry"
To the horror of B~eauregard, she
flung the door open and stood looking
at h company. who dropped their
knives and forks at this extraordinary
Interruption.
rectins the service, stood as though
he had suddenly been turned to
stone; the lackeys gaped, and De JOY
euse, who was in the act of raising a
glass of champagne to his lips,-spilt it
on his coat.
Just for a second she stood staring
at them, and then she broke into a
peal of laughter.
Ma foil" cried she, monsieur de
%Sartines. Monsieur de Joyeuse. Madame
de Stenlis and the Comtesse d'Harlan-
court all around n 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 had no time to think.
for De Sartines, flushed with wine and
anger, seryiette in hand. was at the
door; behind him ans the others.
Il told you you would see something
funny, said the baroness, still address,
ing the unfortunate Be~auregard.
YOU" cried DE Sartines, whose
anger now had so mastered him that
he could not find words.
II she cried 11tfarlu iprnrirr
hira as De Joyeuse entered, followed
by the others. here is something fun
nier stlll!"
well, cocotte!" burst out De Sar-
tines. the brute in him predominating.
"YCu have arrived at last?"
Monsieur" said the baroness, flush
lngo over neck and face, you shall pay
me for that word"
Beauregard, who could scarcely con-
tain his indignation, made a movement
Monsieur Beauregard." said De Sar-
tines. leave the ROOM
Beaur,gard bowed low then he left
the room.
Monsieur" said the baroness. turn
ing to De SartiEes n suddenly chang
lng her tone. you have arrested me@"
That is So"
u am in you power"
Precisely"
LAS you are strong, Monsieur. be
merciful.'
Madame. to such as you I am merci-
less"
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
d~,Har1ancourt. turning to Madame de
Stenlis.
The baroness turned her back on
them and faced De Sartines.
"Monsieur," said she, I'VE grow on
what We feed. You have fed on merci-
~lessness; merciless will I be. Do YOU
think for a moment. Monsieur, that I
would have attacked you unless / had
been armed to the teeth?' y
"Aha!" thought De Richelieu, who,
you will have noticed, took no part in
the batting of this possibly powerful
woman. we 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 Sartines' face as 1 say
the word; study IT."
We'll, Madame said De sartines,
folding his arms. say your word"
"Porcheron!" said the baroness.
~"Cordieu!' cried De sartines, starting
ooSh Us II SIiO ilau SlIoCh MIN,
"Porcheron!" cried the baroness
again, advancing toward him while he
reiterated before her as though the
word We're a whip. Then of a sudden
he regained his self-possession.
Madame" said he, 81 must speak
with you alone"
Monsieur replied she, II prefer
speaking to you in public"
Il forbid it,"
She laughed grimly. then, after a mo-
ment's reflection. Very well, Mon
sieur," she said. let us speak in pri-
waite. h 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 had taken; all but De Richelieu,
who, however. said nothing. pretending
an establishment equal to theirs.
Now, Monsieur said the baroness.
when they We're alone, ..let us be ex.
p1clt." She took a paper from her
pocket and handed it, to him. He
looked at 1t; it was a copy Of the con-
tract. exact in every detail, made in
her handwriting. Having glanced at
1t, he folded it and placed it In his
pocket.
Wen, Madame said he, at seems
you have been at great trouble to place
yourself in this position"
What position, Monsieur?"
M prisoner. and a prisoner of the
state until your DEATH
She made an impatient gesture.
When will you learn to understand
me? Let us be clear. You intend to
imprison me??n
De Sartines bowed.
iIalrJEE L- (Nnnfjy1,aI 49,, . .H