The Shasta courier., 1865-07-29

lines. whose peculiar shape. by exposing the
leaves to the full rays of The sun. as we'll rs
their coloring, threw it into strong relief
As she bent over them the faint but penetra
ting odor that arose made her so giddy that
she would have fallen had it rot been for
tall, shapely youth who had just entered, and
whose livery showed that he was in the ser
vice of the King.
1t was her lover Francois, King Philips
body servant and who. passing by the house,
stepped IN to have little chat with his be.
| tro he'd.
How now, Marie!'' he said. looking. into
her pale face. What has frightened the
roses from your cheek ma petite, and given
you such a strange look p
| The honest fellow was sincerely attached
to his royal master, and he listened gravelv
to Marle's account of the strange conduct of
her visitor, and the suspicious to which it
gave rise.
at has bad look, . he said thou ughtfulv
though bellke there's nothing in it. By
good luck, have orders to attend his Males
ty In his private apartments an hour hence
VIII put him on his guard then surely, no
harm can come of it."
Somewhat to the surprise Of Francti the
King manifested no disquietude at this dis,
closure, though his grave look and eaten
tive manner with which he listened showed
that he considered it of no light import. He
bade him charge Marie . to tell no one what
she had discovered, but to come to the palace
with her flowers an hour earlier than was her
wont, by no means forgetting the golden
| lilies"
| King Philip sat in bis audience hall, sur.
rounded by his usual retnue. A number of
the royal family stood near him. among them
the Cunt De Neyilles, bis wife. and their
little son, sweet boy Of three, whose win
ming and sprightly ways made him great
favorite with the King.
And please your Majesty, M1ric, the
flower girl, is waiting without" said one of
the guard. opening the door
g Admit her." said the King.
Marie had never seen Philip in his robes
of state, and the royal pomp that surrounded
him impressed her with a feeling of awe as
she entered. But this was quickly dissipa.
ted by the Kings gracious manner as he
bade her approach.
Il see you have not forgotten my favorite
flower" he said, taking the basket from her
hands. Just admire these queenly lilies.
fair Countess, and inhale the fragrance of the
rose
= But why should you start and turn SO
pale ~ he added, as with an involuntary
| shudder she drew back from the flowers he
would haze placed in her hands.
Ill crave your Maiesty's pardon" she
stammered, " but the odor Of the rose ALWAYS
affects me thus
The Kings eyes followed the Countess as
she retreated 10 Il window at the further end
of the hall, under the pretext of obtaining
air; he then fixed them searchingly upon
her husbands face, whose mind seemed to
be entirely occupied by the rosy, laughing
boy be held in his arms
Attracted by the bright color Of the lilies,
the child stretched out his hands for them.
a sudden thought struck the King, as he
observed this
See how eagerly little Louis Is regard
ing them y he said turning to the Count.
GSe them to him"
With fond smile the proud father took
the flowers and held them up before the
boy, who, cutching them with both Of his
dimpled hands, raised them, with . gleeiul
shout to bis lips.
Instantlya deathly pallor overspzead the
face and with faint gasp he fell back dead
in his fathers arms
The Countess had kept furitive watch
u''H tio iNiilD : III bNPne0tS IrUm ner retreat,
and forgetting everything in her terror,
sprang forward toarrest her husband S arm.
But she was too late.
Monster II she exclaimed, glaring upon
him ike tgress robbed of her Young.
you have destroyed your chilI!"
And you" said Philip, pointing signif-
cantly to the flowers, still clasped in the
child's rigid fingers; g You would have
murdered your Kngl'
. Is this the woman who called at vour
cottage this morning?" be inc aircd, turning
to Marie.
" The same, your Majesty"
As soon as the Count comprehended the
full import of these words, he cast a look
of horror and detestaton upon his wife:
then taking his dead boy, he laid him upon
the pile of cushions at the Kings feet.
. can lay before you no stronger proof.
SIRE" he faltered, . that was ignorant of
even the existence of this base plot against
your life I"
As Philip looked upon the still, sweet fea-
lures Of the child, and then upon the wretch
ed father, his eye5 softened.
You are right. God knows that would
fam have spared your loyalty such a terrible
testi''
:" wish you all to bear Witness he said,
addressing those around him, = that | fully
exonerate Count de Neyiles from all com
plicity with his wife in this attempt upon
the life of your King"
q As for you" he added, turning to the
guilty woman, p" give you twenty DAYS to
leave the kingdom. If after that time. YOU
are found anywhere in my domains, Won
shall suffer the full penalty of your crime. y
King Philip did not forget the debt of
gratitude he owed to Marie and his faithful
attendant He was present at their mar.
| riage, which occurred few DAYS after, be
slowing a liberal dowry uron the bride and
various other substantial marks of his favor
And ever after. in eommemoration Of his
providential deliverance he bore upon his
shield the Golden Lily"
| THE following impressive thought is taken
| from one of the recent utterances Of Rev. Dir.
! Bushnell. of Hartford, Connecticut. He is
| speaking of the majesty and strength of our
] Gorar,~,.-4 {. W. S.d ,ot bnovr ho1r