Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1866-06-13

bic upon the lilies, whose peculiar shape, b.
exposing the leaves to the full rays of the SUI
as we'll as their vivid coloring, threw it int
strong relief; and as she bent over them, tn
faint but penetrating odor that arose mad
her so giddy that she would have fallen ha
it not been for the tall shapely youth wht
had Just entered and whose livery showed hin
to be in the service of the King.
1t was her lover, Francois, King Philip
body servant, and who, passing by the house
called to have chat with his betrothed.
How, now, Marie 2" he said looking in
to her face. aWhat has frightened the rose
from your cheek, and given you such strang'
look ?"
The honest.hearted fellow was sincerely at
Tackled to bis royal master, and he listened
gravcly to Maries account of the strange cor
duct Of her visitor, and the suspicious to which
it gave rise.
lit has bad look," he said thoughtfully
i" though 1 believe there is nothing in it. By
good luck, have orders to attend His Majes
ty in his private apartments On hour hence
l will put him on his guard ; then surely nc
harm can come of it."
Somewhat to the surprise Of Francois, the
King manifested no disquietude at this dis
closure, though the grave look and 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 earlier than was her wont, by no means
fnr1eitino her ooIden lilies.0
King Philip sat in his audience hail sur
rounded by his retinue. A number of the
royal family stood near him-among them
the Count Neville, his wife, and the little son,
a sweet boy of three, whose winning and
sprightly ways made him fayorite with the
King. -,
flower GIRL is awaiting without" said one oi
The guard.
"Admt her," said the King.
Marie had never seen King Philip in his
robes of state, and the royal pomp that sur
rounded her with feeling OF awe as She en-
tered. But this was quickly dissipated by
the Kings gracious manner as he bsde her
approach.
= see you have not forgot en- my favorite
flower" he said, taking the basket frcm her
land.
"Just admire these quceiiy lilies, fair
Countess, and inhale the fragrance from the
roses"
But why do you start and turn pale ?" he
added as with an involuntary shudder che
drew back from the flowers he would have
placed in her hand.
"I-I crave your Msjesty's PARDON she
"but the odur OF the roses affects
me thus"
The Kings eyes followed the Countess as
Sue relrericd to the window, al the further
end of the hall,-the usretaTt'n 'nf ols'.;r;-e- 80
f1S 70 r65.a Il ksixcfE searchingly On her hus-
bands face, whose mind seemed to be entire.
" occ.pcd by the laughing boy be held in
his a4@is.
Attracted by the bright color of the lilies,
lnr child stretched out lis hand for them.
A sudden thought struck the King as he OBJ
served this.
See bow eagerly Louis is regarding
them!" liz said, turning to the Count, :" Let
him lave lhem."
With fond smile the father took the flow
ers and held. them bafcre the boy, who, catch
Ing them with both h'S dimpled hands, raised
then with gleeful 4Lout 10 his lips.
Instantly deadly pallor overspread his face,
and With faint gasp no fell dead in his fathers
arms
The Countess had kept a furlive.watch on
the Kings movements from her retreat, and
forgetting every thing i'll her terror sprang
forward to arrest her husbands arm.
"Monstcr ~ she exclaimed, glaring upon
him like tigress robbed Of her young, you
laye destroyed yonr child"
:" And you,'' said Philip, pointing sgnih-
canty to the flowers, still cIasped in The cbild's
rigid fingers, 'you would lave murdered
your King"
as this the woman that called at your
cottage this morning." he inquired, turning to
Mare.
"rhe same, your Majesty"
As COON as the Count comprehended the
full meaning of these Yords, he cast look
of horror and detestation upon bis vile, then
taking his dead boy, be laid him on the pile Oh
cushions at the King feet.
~ can lay before you no stronger proof,
sire" be faltered, that l was ignorant OF
the existence Of the base plot against your
lifc."
As Philip looked upon the still sweet fca-
lures of the child, ana thon upon hss father,
his eyes softened. >,
>" You are right. God knows that would
fain have spared your loyalty such severe
test"
81 wish you oil to bear witness" he said,
addressing those around him, "that l fully
exonerate Count de Neville from all compile
ity wi,h his wife in this attempt upon the
Life Of yoar King"
GAS to you," he added, turning to the gull,
ty woman, give you twenty days to leave
the kingdom. If after that lime you are found
in my domains, you shall suffer the full pen
atty Of your crime"
King Philip did not forget the debt Of graf
itude be owed to Marie and his faithful at
tendant. He was present ut the marriage
which occurred few days after, beStowins
o dowry on the bride, and other substantial
marks of favor; and ever afterwards, in com
melnoratioa Of his Providential deliverance
be bore upon his shield the f" Golden Lily
At DranchVllle. .. W., they I..n III" ~
white man who can concientiously take tn
(" test OATH" Anxious to secure honorabl
communication with the outside world, th
gentlemen of the neighborhood agreed to re
commend a respectable, Intelligent freedman
of the village, in whose integrity they all ha'
confidence, for the position OF postmaster
He consented to serve. They told him tina
all be would be required to do was to tes
The test OATH lie wished to hear it. Cuffe
was accordingly favored witha reading OF tn
document. AS the reader progressed, hl
eyes expanded, until the conclusion was react
cd, when he brought down his iirSt win III
n,stakeable force, exclaimIlng, NO gontle
men No stree. I can't take that oath.
wanted the South to whip, and won't tell
l;e about it now. No .sirs. You. must ge
another postmaster, We need scarcely 'ad
Il. p.aaL,,;,la ;s vot without n postmaStel