The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1866-08-08

eS, madame: l nave OtuelH "
bring them to the Palace daily. The
golden lily is his favorite flower and
there are only those in bloom to-day"
II will take this, said the Countess,
selecting one of the bouquets, and TAX
ing from her purse gold piece Of more
than double the value, "but first bring
me cool draught Of water from the
spring yoAder." "
With light step the young girl took
a pitcher and passed ont to tie spring
that was but short distance FROM the
door, As she gIided by the window, on
returning, she glanced in and saw, much
to her surprise, her visitor bending ever
the stand Of foHerS, and apparently
sprinklng something from her hand up
on those she had laid aside for tie
King. When she took it away, her eye
caught CLEAN Of q small golden flask,
such as the ladies of that period used
for their cosmetics and perfumcry. But
whea she entered the room, she found
her in the same position in which Size
had left her
She could not forbcar an exclamation
Of surprise as she observed how deadly
pale was her countenance.
Ills but the odor Of the flowers,
said the Countess, as drawing her robes
around her she turned to the door.
"Take my advice, my good girl:
place the stand nearer the window and
be not much over them; their perfume
is quite too strong for so small a Too",.
There was something about these
words, carcles>ly spoken though they
were, that dccprued the underlined S:>T;-
cionS in the young girls hcaIt, an" fol-
lowing her suggestion, she placed tnc
stand Of flowers directly in front Ct the
window. Then, by close eN"u1jra-
ton Of the bouquet destined for the
King, she detected the presence Of Il fine
white powder, impalpable tc the eye
upon the white petals Of the roS@, hat
clearly visible upon the lilies, who's"
peculiar shape, by exposing the leaves 70
the full rays Of The sun as we'll as their
vivid coioring, threw it into strong re-
lief; and as she bent over them, the
faint but penetrating odor that arose
made her so giddy that she wou'1 have
fallen had it not been for the tall Shape
" youth who had just entered and
whose livery showed HIM to bc in tic
service of the King.
1t was her lover Francois, King Phil
lips body servant, and who passing by
the house, called to have chat with his
bctrothcd.
~IIow, now, Marie?" he said, look
ing into her face. "What has fright
enrd the roses from your check, and
given you such strange look 2
The honest hearted fellow was sincere
" attached to his royal master, and he
listened gravely to Marie's account OF
the strange conduct Of her visitor, a"t
the suspicious to which 1t gave rise.
at has bad look" he said thought
fully; Though believe there is moth
ing in it, BY good luck, have orders
to attend His Majesty in his private
apartments an hour hence. | will put
him on his guard then surely TO harm
can come ofit."
Somewhat to the surprise Of Francois,
the King manifested no GiSQu!etuGc 1t
this disclosure, though the grave look
and attentive manner with which he
listened showed that he considered it Of
no light import. lie bade him charge
Marie
'"i'o tell no one what she had dis
covered, but to come to the Palace with
her flowers an hour earlier than was hcr
wont, by no means forgetting lv" 6V'':-
en- lilies"
King Phillip sat in his av];vocc hall
surrounded by his retinue. \ lTm'cr
of the royal family stood near him
among them the Count dc Neville, his
wife, and the little son, sweet boy Of
three, whose winning and sprightIy ways
made him favorite with the King.
"And please your Majesty, Marie, the
flower girl, is awaiting Without" said
one Of the guard.
"Almit her" said the King.
Marie had never seen King Phillip in
his robes of state, and the royal pomp
surrounded her with a feeling Of
awe as she entered. But this was
quickly dissipated by the Kings gra-
cious manner as he bade her approach.
81 sec you have not forgotten my IA
vorite flo" err he said, taking the 6os-
ket from her hand.
"Just admire these qucenly lilies, fair
Countess, and inhale the fragrance from
the roses"
But why do you start and turn
pale?" he added, as with an involunta-
~ shuddcr she drew back from the flow
! ers he would have placed in her hand.
"I-I crave your Majesty's PARDON"
she stammered, "but the odor Of the
, -..o. 4notc r,,a +bne -