The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1929-04-12
Copyright by
The Bobbs- Merrill Co.
w. N. U. Service

of smile as | had seen?"
"FrancOis !" the emperor roare0.
Her majesty, Carlotta, caught my
sleeve. "Ah, mon brave. you did not
tell me-"
Il had no wish. your majesty" .
said, no fill your ear with trifies. /"
Francois !" The emperor rOared
again.
"Sire?" | cried.
"A mOil"
Standing beside the lovely La
Anita, bowed before him. Her shout.
der touched my own-ever so light.
ly. Somehow ii gave me comfort !;
the very nearness of that exquisite
thing overwhelmed ME with wine
like warmth; sweet surge of happi-
ness went through me, and the gloomy
chamber took on suddenly the tran
scendent glory of heaven.
"AIust | speak to thee twice. dolt?"
Maximilian's face was purple with
anger.
81 am sorry, your majesty"
as it not sufficient that you spend
your evenings carousing at the Cafe
MiramOn, and making Sleeps eyes at
ladies who pass the Alameda"
"Your majesty" | said. | imag
ined that the slim shoulders Of La
Anita shook little
"Must you fight with every nincom-
POOP"
"Sire!" l cried.
as it by such senseless duels that
you have gained your nom de guerre;
Is 1t because of such mad ventures
that they call you the Blade of Pic.
ardy; does such useless jeopardizing
of life gain anything for France?
Speak-use your tongue or
does your brain work only through
that agile sword of yours?"
When he had stopped for breath,
when he had faltered in that spark.
ling excoriation, got in word or
two: "Your majesty, | have never
gone into senseless fray, have
never engaged in useless duel. and,
save one, | have never sought duel.
am serving your majesty to the
limit of my ability, just as | have
always served. and just as shall
continue to serve so long as your maj
esty shall desire my service. and SO
long as God gives me life and strength
to offer it."
The anger went out of his eyes
Francois" he said gently, for the
Emperor Macmillan. for some reason
| have never been able to fathom,
had deep and abiding affection for
me.
stood silent before him.
81 chide thee, Francois" he con-
tinued. because | would preserve
thee for the cause of France"
1T is the cause of France, your
majesty. that served last night"
"You sought this duel, Francois /;
you went to the home of La Anita
La Anita sighed.
mo, sire; Captain Lestrange per.
mitted me to deliver to the Senorita
ArrellanOs the summons for her ap-
pearance here before you today. [
delivered the summons, your majesty,
and merely mixed little pleasure
with my business"
The emperor laughed, and | knew
that | was safe. you are able, then.
to corroborate-or to deny-the
statements just made by the senior
tia, is 1t no so, Francois?"
$50 far as | am informed, your
majesty, Senorita Arrelanos has told
the truth in every particular. Duroc
fell in fair combat. and | think that
Lieutenant Mironsac has no COM
plant to make"
But what of Besancon and of Le-
roux? Can you tell me where they
are?" he insisted.
mo, sire, | cannot TELL" said l,
mixing mendacity with evasion.
"They are safe. think you. Fran
cois?"
81 am sure of it. your majesty"
yet
Now | caught the emperor's eye.
"In this land of Mexico, sire, where
rumor runs rife, and intrigue grows
as naturally as colors come to the
rainbow. where the loyalty of men
swings from the Empire to the Re
public overnight-and back again be-
fore the sun has set-we cannot put
our faith In any man. We prove
where proof is available. beyond that
we merely chance the hazards Of the
game"
Macmillan stroked his beard. He
leaned forward and pitched his voice
so that we two alone-La Anita and
I-could hear: "You think, then,
Francois, that Leroux and BesancOn
might be out on the business of the
Empire?"
1t seemed safer to trick the good
man than to tell him the truth. "That.
your majesty, is my thought"
l heard deep sigh from the lovely
lady who stood beside me. had
done my best; | had made 1t easy for
her.
"Then the Senorita Arrellanos,
Francois. should be permitted to re-
turn to her home"
AYE. sire; the senorita has suf-
fered enough" Now, for one brief
delicious instant, | felt the soft light
touch of La Anita's fingers upon my
hand.
"She may co." said Macmillan
gently; land Francois, remain with
me and tell me of your duel"
Macmillan laughed immoderately
over the episode of the empty pistols.
and he thrilled. think, at my &C
count of the duel, whiIe-as my story