White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1859-07-28

"Ah, now you talk to the point" saiC
Charles. THAT is something tangible
$50 1 should think" returned the
i Queen, in a most bitter tone. "And now
what will you do ?"
Charles de Valois started at this ques
ton, and a convulsive shudder shook hi
frame.
"Oh l cannot believe that brave old
Gaspard de Coligny has lent his counte,
nance to such conspiracy" he uttered,
with much feeling.
"Have you not the evidence of your
own senses ?" Kissed the fend- woman
"What more will you ask =? VIII you
rake the city all through for evidence,
and thus give the conspirators chance
to escape 90
Not so, woman. | meant no such
thing. Oh, you need not fear that | am
hesitating on the ground l have taken.
No, nO-the Huguenots shall suffer to
their hearts content; SO make yourself
easy on that score. But if Coligny is a
villain. then I'll believe anything. I'd
almost believe that even my own mother
could play the villain.
Catharine darted look at her son,
that would have startled any other man
with more than ordinary fear; but before
she could speak. the King continued
"Oh, do not look at me as though you
thought meant an insinuation, for upon
my soul l think you a very fit sort of a
woman. His Holiness at Rome could
no doubt easily absolve you of every sin
you ever committed. Isuppose you have
committed some sins in your lifetime.
for you know we are none of US perfect. A."
mad! mad!" came from the Queen S
lips, in grinding, kissing tones.
"Not quite, mother. But let us leave
this bandying of words, and come to the
work we have in hand. We would be
alone"
"But the nuncio may stay" said
Catharine.
"No. would speak with you alone.
Malgrida-"
Charles pointed Significantly to the
door as he spoke. Tie Jesuit looked
first at the King, then at the door, and
then at the Queen. But Catharine dared
not interpose now, for she would not
start the Kings Ire; so she babe Malgri-
da withdraw, and he accordingly took
his leave, but his looks showed pretty
plainly that he would much rather have
remained. After he was gone, there
were some moments of silence. The
mother and SON were both standing, and
as they looked each other in the face. they
seemed to plainly say, Speak you first. "
At length, however, the King broke
the silence.
Mother" he said, "there is no more
need that we should fear to speak to each
other plainly on this question, for we
know our own minds, and well do l know
yours. freely tell you that the thing
sits heavily on me, but shall neverthe-
less see it put through to its consumma-
ton. The revealment of plot against
my own life, has clinched the last rivet
that remained loose in my SOUL"
The eyes of the Queen mother sparkled
with demoniac brilliancy, and when her
son saw it. he thought it was because she
was about to see her wishes answered.
He dreamed not of the falsehood she had
worked upon him. Even while he had
spoken in contempt of his mothers vir-
tues, he had not thought that, among all
her sins. she could be guilty of such an
one. He knew that she was devil, but
he did not know how rank the fires OF
hell burned in her bosom.
"You are right, Charles" she an
swered, while her hands worked convul-
sively, as though they would draw to
themselves those CLEANS Of expression
which the woman would keep from her
face. "You are right" she repeated,
"and now comes the final consideration"
"Speak it."
Cannot you guess it ?"
"Speak it, and 1 shall not have to
guess. Go on, and will listen most
faithfully"
"Then," said Catharine, "schsn shall
the HoU be struck ?"
"Ah-now you speak. When 2"
Aye-uheH 2"
"And Uhere 2"
"Let the time come first" said the
woman.
$50 be it. Now-,ckeH ?"
Catharine de Medicis bowed her head.
and walked across the room. When she
came back. she stopped upon the spot
where she had before stood.
Ode Baillon and Callanaic are out of
the city, and will not return for a week.
When they come back, the work shall
begin"
"Aye, so it shall % exclaimed the
King, again starting with the return Of
the horror he had before experienced:
@" But" he added, with great vehemence.
while his whole frame shook, "yoU shall
kill them dI-eVery souI-so that no sur
vivor shall be left to reproaeh me !'+
THAT is the very thing We most de-
sire," returned the Queen, land upon
your own 6rmness depends the result"
"But the time" said Charles.
at shall be in one week from this
very day. Why not then as well as at
any time?"
al care not" said Charles; and as he
spoke, he ran his fingers over to reckon
IN the time. "That will come on the
twenty fourth" he added, after he had
counted the days. THAT is SAINT BAR
THoLoMEw's DAY %
sThe very words the King spoke, when he
gave his final consent 10 his mother for the
Slaughter.