The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1914-08-21

The trial nad been set for Monday
week. at ten o'clock in the forenoon.
This was Friday. Each hour now was
of incaiculable value. The scheme APP
peared preposterous. But had flown
in Canada, until l was fairly sure of
myself, and with Charles had scared
triumphantly in his aeroplane in Eng
land, seeking the regions of the sun,
high above our competitors, we two
together. knew how staunch and
true the winged vessel was; ] knew
which levers controlled each OF her
movements; and at Cl.chy we had
made several excursions. had con-
fidence now that was almost supersti-
ton In the success of my desperate
undertaking.
Would that / could have told himI
But he was too closely guarded; even
Magntf, with all his power, had been
denied admission to him.
| caught train back to Clichy, ar
irving toward the middle of the after
noon. 1t was a sad Homecoming. A
curious crowd watched me descend at
the little railroad station, and a news
paper correspondent q learned after.
ward that my movements had been
watched by a whole corps of news
paper men and government spies since
left the fortressl snapped his camera
in my face. But one learns to be toll
Grant of these things when ones
whole mind Is set on a single desire
The crowd followed me to the gates
| of the chateau. Only there did they
leave me.
| And then, for the second time,
| received an object lesson in the bear
ing of French nobleman and noble.
woman. The old butler who admitted
me stared at me as IL had been a
newly risen ghost, and his knees
trembled as he ushered me into the
room In which my grandfather and
| Charles mother sat She was sewing
busily; the old man, at his writing
desk, was drafting some form of doc.
ument, pitiful, dignified petition,
believe, to the government on behalf
of Charles, setting forth the stainless
honor of their race throughout five
centuries. But when l entered they
rose and came forward to greet me
as calmly as though Charles was alb.
sent upon personal errand In Paris
and were soon to return.
And their first words were of con.
graduation upon my engagement! The
papers had been full of 1t, it appeared
The notary before whom we had ap
peared, swelling with self-importance
had run with his evidence to the gov.
eminent.
You will make Charles a good wife
my DEAR" said his mother, kissing me
Would that we could have a fair in.
heritance for him. Clichy must 60
but at least the family will be perpetu
ated."
1T is fate brought you to u.s." said
the old Comte. He had grown even
feebler during the brief interval OF
my absence, it seemed to me; the
shock had told perceptibly upon him
1T is fate brought you to u.s." he re-
peated, ito be the consolation of my
old age and the hope of the DIVES"
Then we began talking of Charles,
and, as briefly as possible. since there
was not time for emotion, laid bare
the story of our arrest, placing spe
cial emphasis upon the fact that the
conspiracy was breaking down.
And then | laid before them the
plan that / had formed, of flying to
Scouto, and. to my establishment, they
both fell in with it Immediately. But
though l could never doubt their love
for me, their eagerness for my safety
the family, as ever In France, ranked
paramount in their eyes. 1t seems
strange now, as look back on 1t, this
persistent clinging of theirs to the old
forms and duties of past ages in face
|