Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-01-01

ing tones, like the distant sounds of bat
tie.
The young girl was not alone there in
the storm for from behind the arras
had stolen the form of a monk. For an
instant. as his cowl was thrown back, the
red fame flashed over face of dark and
sinister expression-one that sent feel
ing Of repuIsion over you. 1t was a
strongly marked face once seen, it
would haunt the chambers Of mind thro'
life-time.
Away back in the courtyard stood a
small stone chapel, stone chapel, with
strong, giant-like trees sweeping its low
roof with their heavy branches; and
beneath its stone arch stood a young
knight and an aged monk. Others might
not have seen those two forms but the
magnetism of fear had lent its subtle
power to Father Lorraine, and he felt
their presence near him and, as his
gaze-that wild, earnest gaze-fell on
those two beings, and slight tremor run
through his frame, and spasm of fear
quivered around his thin lips. A wild,
unnatural passion was consuming his life,
and weaving, with her magic shuttle, in
to his web of destiny, the fates of that
young knight and the aged friar.
There was another watcher upon that
marble arcade, who had seen those two
forms under that stone arch and she,
too, was linking the after-life Of one of
those two beings into her Iife-woof. It
was Magdalene De Valois. Perchance
her star of destiny shone upon the wa
ters, where two life-currents joined, and
flowed along in one peaceful stream, with
the sunlight smiling upon its bosom.
1t is oftener in youth than in the ma
turer years Of life, we draw those bright
horoscopes, whose brilliant reflections SO
giIds the present and colors the future.
! Suddenly the monk started, as though
but then aware Of any presence save his
own then, drawing his cowl over his
face, he moved to the side of that fair
watcher. As his hand rested upon her
head, she glanced up, and shade swept
over her face. That same feeling of re-
pulsion, that his presence ever gave, ha6
stolen over her but smile soon follow
ed it, like sunlight chasing shadow, and
the small jewelled hand fell upon bis
arm, for hers was warm, confding ma.
ture.
Thy blessing, Father Lorraine!
Thou hast it, daughter; but did
startle thee here in this lone retreat?'
May, tather,' was the meek reply
and the blue eyes were shaded by theil
long fringes, while over the rounded
cheek flushed the crimson life-tide.
: Yet does not that warm life tint tel
of some half-spun revert e, child?'
The monk spoke in cold, sarcasti
z tone, that chilled the warm nature Of hi
t, listener. She was silent for moment
and, when she spoke, there was NOR
] frmness in her manner, and the eye
were raised with a quick, questioning
), glance.
e acaS MISUNDERSTANDING of an
r other life, far down the silent future
t Where wandered with the fair daugh
:, ter of the Fleur De Lis, another form
& Arnaud De Bourn? 1t were brigh
), dream, child but shadows cling to it,
+ You have not forgotten the kings plight
s ed word, and the oOn popuE? You ar
/, to be Queen of Scotland, Consort t
e James Fifth p
The fair girl shuddered as he force
n that truth upon her, and she pressed he
e hands upon her brow, as though she fe
e a deep pain there.
e True, true l had forgotten his wisl
J. and the claims of France-forgotten al
A but that sweet dream she murmured.
a You love Arnaud, daughter?
v. The monks tone was milder, and h
N hand fingered gently among those golde
,e. tresses.
n Love him 7
~ She said no more, but there was Ell
~ quence in that silence. Over the bea
tiful face came smile full of holiness al
20 purity and the upturned eyes, in Il
or depth of their reflection, shone with IL
ID one hope of her life.
er 1T were no sin to love, Magdalene
K but this dream viii melt, in the futur
IN like frost-work in the morning sunligf
er Tear his image from that niche in yo
re. heart, and bend 10 your fathers will"
he The monk smiled as he spoke, b
hit there was no sympathy in that smile /;
es was smile such as might wreath the !
k dams face, as he bends over the fall