The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1865-06-09

iile, "hlte powder, SO lmpalpable as to
be imperceptible to the eye upon the white
petals of the rose, but clearly visible upon
the lilies, ,.whose peculiar shape, by expos
ing the leaves to the full rays of the sun,
as well as their vivid coloring, threw ii
into strong relief. AS she bent over them
the faint but penetrating odor that arose
made her SO giddy that she would have
fallen had it not been for tall, shapely
youth who had just entered, and whose
livery showed that he was in the service
of the king.
1t was her lover, Francois, King Phi
lips body-servant, who, passing by the
house, stepped in to have chat with his
betrothed.
"How now, Marie 2" he said. looking
into her pale face. "What has frighten-
ed the rosees from your cheek, ma petite,
and given you such a strange look 90
The honest-hearted fellow was sincerely
attached to his royal master, and he lis
tened gravely % Marie's account of the
strange conduct of her visitor, and the
suspicious to which it gave rise.
1t has bad look," he said, thought
fully; " though belize there's nothing in
it. BY good luck, l have orders to attend
his majesty in his private apartments an
hour hence. Twill put him on his guard, !,
then, surely, no harm can come of it.
Somewhat to the surprise of Francois,
the king manifested no disquietude at this
disclosure, though his grave look and the
attentive 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 arlier than was her wont, by no
means forgetting the golden lilies.
King Philip sat in his audience hall,
surrounded by his usual retinue. A num-
Der of the royal family stood near him,
among them the Count de Nevilles, his
wife, and their little son, a sweet boy of
three, whose winning and sprightly ways
had made him great favorite with the
king
"And please your majesty, Marie, the
f1ower-girl, is without" said one of the
guard.
''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 feel
ing of awe as she entered. But this was
quickly dissipatcd by the kings gracious
manner as he bade her approach.
II see YOU have not forgotten my ia
vorite 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 do
you start and turn SO pale? ?" he asked, as
with an involuntary shudder she drew
back from the flowers he would have put
in her hands
81 crave your majesty's pardon, ~
she stammered, "but the odor of the rose
always affects me thus
The kings eyes followed the Countess
as she retrcated to window at the fur
thcr end of the hall, under the pretext of
obtaining air he then fixed them search
ingly upon her husbands face, whose
mind seemed to be entirely occupied by
the rosy, laughing boy he 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
"Lee how eagerly little Louis is regard
ing them,' he said, turning to the Count.
"Give them to him."
With fond smile the proud father
took the flowers and held them up before
the boy, who, clutcling them with both OF
his dimpled hands, raised them, with a
gleeful shout, to his lips.
Instantly deathly pallor overspread
the face, and with faint gasp he fell back
dead in his fathers arms.
The Countess had kept furtive watch
upon the kings movements from her re.
treat, and forgetting everything in heI
terror, sprang forward to arrest her hus.
bands arm. But she was too late
Monsters she exclaimed glarins
upon him like a tigress robbed of hel
young, "you have destroyed your child
''And you," said Philip, pointing signi
ficantly to the flowers, still clasped in the
child's rigid fingers, s'you would have
murdered your king"
els this the woman who called at youl
cottage this morning?" he inquired, turn
ing to Marie
"The same, your majesty
AS soon as the Count comprehended thu
full import OF these words, he cast lool
of horror and detestation upon his wife
then taking his dead boy he laid him upol
the pile Of cushions at the kings feet.
81 can lay before you no stronger proof
sire,' he faltered, "that l was ignorant O
even the existence ofthis base plot agains
, your life"
AS Philip looked upon the still, swee
features of the child, and then upon tn
wretched father, his eye softened.
Is You are right. God knows that
would fain have spared your loyalty suc]
! terrible testr'
g l wish you all to bear witness" h
said, addressing those around him, "tha
fully exoncrate Count de Nevilles iron
| all completely with his wife in this attemp
: upon the life of your king
GAS for you,'' he added, turning to tn
guilty woman, 81 give you twenty day
| to leave the kingdom. If after that tim
YOU are found anywhere in nv domains