Des Arc weekly citizen., 1869-03-09

'Vi' tie rps oi MdTB ucTltc, US tic 'S's import of his speech fell on her shar- pened ears-the man whom she had loved-first loved !-for all her previ- ous words were false and fickle-stood at her side in all his power and glory and she af1ianced to liar, a base trai- tor-a foul murderer in his heart Ia scorn and by-word to her own sex-an object of contempt and hatred to every noble spilfti
 But at that instant Armand de Laguy's pride awoke--for he was proud, and brave, and daring land he gave back the lie, and hurled defiance in his accuser's teeth.
 l "Dcath to thy soul!' he cried" lis thou that Hest tl-Charles !-did l not see the stretched on thee bloody plain did not sink beside thee hewed down and tranpled under foot, in striving to preserve thee ?-and when my vassals found me, vert thou not beside me with thy face scared, indeed. and mangled beyond recognition, but with the surcoat and the arms upon the life less corpse, and the sword in the cold hand ?--sTis thou that Hest, man !-'tis thou that for some base end, didst con- ceal thy life; and now wouldst charge thy felonies on me--but twill not do-- fair consin.-Thc King shall judge be- 1 tween us!-Come lady y"-and he would have taken her by hand, but. she sprang back as though viper would have stung her. d
 Back traitor !--- she exclaimed, in tones of the deepest loathing.-"I hate thee, spit on thee! defy thee!--Base have been myself, and frail. and tickle but, as live, Charles de Ls-Hire-- but as live now and will die right shortly--I knew not of this villany! l did believe thee dead. as that false murderer swore--and--God be good to me !--I did betray thee dead and now have lost thee living! But for thee, Armand de Laguy, dog! traitor! yil- lain : knave dare not to look upon me dnN liOits Qdft HOt uuuICSS iuC MttIl one accent of thy serpent tongue! for Marguerite dc Vaudreuil, fallen al- though she be. and lost forever, is not so all abandoned as, knowing thee for what thou art, to bear with thee one second longer--no! not though that second could redeem all the past--and wipe out all the sin L."
 Zine words fine words, fair mis- tress.-but on with me thou shalt!" and ho streatched out his arm to siczc her, when, with n perfect majesty, Charles de La-Hire stepped in and grasped him by the wrist, and held him for moment there, gazing into his eye as though he would have read his soul; then threw him of with force, that made him stagger back ten paces before he could regain his footing !- then! then! with all the fury of the fiend depicted on his working linea- ments, Armand unsheathed his rapier and made full longe, bounding for ward as he did so, right at his cousins heart but he was foiled again, for with single, and, as it seemed, slight mo- ton of the sheathed broadsw ord, which he held under his cloak. Charles de La- Hire struck up the weapon, and sent it whirling through the air to twenty paces distance.
 Just then there came shout "the King the King!" and with the words, a glare of many torches, and with his conrtiers and his guard about him, the monarch stood forth in offended ma jesty.
 "Ha i--what means this insolent broil w hat menbe these who dare draw swords within the palace pre- cincts?"
 My sword is sheathed, sire" ans wered De La Hire, kneeing before the King and laying the good weapon n. his feet--''nor has been ever drawn, save at your highness' bidding. against your highness' foes !--But l beseech you, sire, as you love honesty and honor and hate deceit and treason, grant me your royal license to prove Armand de Laguy, recreant, base, and traitorous, q liar and felon. and murderer, hand to hand, in the pre- sence of the ladies of your court, accor- ding to the law of arms and honor!"
 "Somethlng of this We have heard cady''-replied the King, Baron de La-Hire .-But say out now, of what accuse you Armand de Laguy ?-show but good cause, and thy request is granted; for I have not forgot your good deeds in my cause against our rebel Savoyards and our Italian foe men--of what accuse you Armand de Laguy?"
 "That he betrayed me wounded iIto the hands of the Duke of Parma! that he dealt with Italian bravoes to com pass my assassination that by foul lies and treacherous devices, he has trained from me my aflianced bride: and last, not least, deprived her of fair name and honor.-This will Iprove upon his body, so help me God and my good sword.".
 "Stand forth and answer to his charge De Laguy-speak out! what sayest thou?"
 q say" answered Armand boldly "I say that he ies!-that he did feign his own death for some evil ends .-.-and did deceive me, who would have died to succor him That I, believing him dead, have won from him the love of this fair lady, admit.-But l assert