Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-02-26

On fine July day, the fair Margaret,
queen of Navarro, then on visit to her
royal brother, had arranged rural feast
for the morning following, which Francis
had declined attending. He was melan-
cholv; and the cause was said to be some
lovers quarrel with favorite dame The
morrow came, and dark rain and murkey
clouds destroyed at once the schemes of
the courtly throng. Margaret was angry,
and Size grew weary: her only hope for
amusement was in Francis, and he had
shut himself up-an excellent reason why
she should the more desire to see him.
She entered his apartment; he was stand
ing at the easement, against which the
noisy shower beat, writing with diamond
on the glass. Two beautiful dogs were his
sole companions. AS queen Margaret en-
tered, the hastily let down the silken cur
tan before the window, and looked a little
confused.
"What treason is this, my liege," said
the queen, (Which crimsons your cheek
/ must see the same"
'It is treason, replied the ling, and
therefore, sweet sister, thou must not see
it."
This the more excited Margaret's curl
osity, and a playful contest ensued. Fran
els at last yielded; he threw himself on a
huge high-backed settee, and as the lady
drew back the curtain with an arch smile,
he grew grave and sentimental, as he re.
fiected on the cause which had inspired
this great libel against all womankind.
"What have we here?' said Margaret
"Nay this is Iese qnajeste-
sSosiuent femme Uarie-6ien .tolle qui s'y .fe !
Gotten woman changes-foolsh he who trusts her
Very little change would greatly amend
your line, sir,-Would it not run better
thus:
sS0uUent homme Udrie-6ien foHe qui s'y fer
Gotten man changes-foolish she who trnsts him.
l could tell you a thousand stories of man
Inconsistency"
~ will be content with one true tale O.
woman's fidelity" said Francis, dryly
"but do not provoke me. l would fain be
at peace with the soft mutabilities, for thy
dear sake"
~ defy your grace" replied Margaret
rashly, ito instance the iaishood of one
noble and well reputed dame.'
"Not even Emile de Lagney 2" said the
king.
This was sore subject for the queen
nn.iiio h~d bvvn brought up in her house
hold, the most beautiful, and the most viz
tuous of her maids of honor. She hat
long loved the Sire de Lagney, and thei
nuptials were celebrated with rejoicing.
but little ominous of theresult. De Lag
ny was accused but q year after Of traitor
ously yielding to the emperor o fortress
under his command, and he was condemn
ed to perpetual Imprisonment. For some
time Emile was inconsolable, often visit
ing the miserable dungeon of her husband
and suffering, on her return from witness
ing his wretchedness, such paroxysm O
grief as threatened her life. Suddenly, il
the midst of her sorrow, she DISAPPEARED
and inquirysonly divulged tho disgracefu
fact, that she had escaped from France
bearing her jewels with her, and accompa
MED by her page Robinet Leroux. 1t was
whispered that, during her journey, thu
lady and her stri ping were often seen to
gether; and Margaret enraged at thes,
discoveries, commanded that no furthe
quest should be made for her lost favorite.
Tainted now by her brother, she deten
ded Emile, declaring thai she believed
her to be guiltless, even going so far as t,
proof of her innocence.
"Robinet was a pretty boy" said Fran
els, laughing.
"Let us make bet," cried Margaret
eff lose, | will bear this vile rhyme o
thine as motto to my shame to my grave
if I WIN
81 will break my window, and grant the,
whatever boon thou askest."
The result of this bet was long sung BY
troubador and minstrel. The queen EN-
ployed hundred Observation-Disclosures
rewards for any intelligence of Emile; al
IN vain. The month was expiring, ant
Margaret would have given many brigh
jewels to redeem her word. On the eve O
the fatal day, the jailor of the prison il
which the Sire de Lagny was confined
sought an audience of the queen hi
brought her message from the knight tc
say, that if the lady Margaret would ask
his pardon as her boon, and obtain from
her royal brother that he might be brought
before him, her bet was won. Fair Mar.
garet was very joyful, and readily made
the desired promise. Francis was unwil
ling to see his false servant, but he was in
high good humor, for cavalier had that
morning brought intelligence of victory
over the imperialists. The messenger him.
self was lauded in the dispatches as the
most fearless and bravest knight in France
The king loaded him with presents, only
regretting that VOW prevented the soldier
from raising visor or declaring his name
That same evening as the setting sun
shone on the lattice on which the ungallant
rhyme was traced, Francis reposed on the
same settee and the beautiful queen of Ma
varre, with triumph in her bright eyes, sat
beside him. Attended by guards, the pris,
oner was brought in, his frame was atten.
uated by privation, and he walked with
tottering steps. He knelt at the feet OF
Francis, and uncovered his head; quaint.
ty of rich golden hair then escaping, fell
over the sunken cheeks and pallid brow OF
the suppliant.
owe have treason here p cried the king.
nSir jailor, where is your prisoner ?''
"Sir, blame him not" said the soft, fall
tering voice of Emile; "wiser men than he
have been deceived by woman. NV dear
Lord was guiltless of the crime for which
he suffered. There was but one mode to
save him Iassumed his chains he es-
capped with poor Robinet Leroux in my at
tire; he joined your army; the young and
gallant cavalier who delivered the des
patches to your grace-whom you over
whelmed with honors and rewards-is nv
own Euguerard de Lagny. I waited but
for his arrival with testimonials of his in
nocence, to declare myself to my lady the
queen. Has she not won her bet and
The boon she asks"
'1s de Lagny's pardon" said Margaret,