The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1875-04-04
THE INVASION:
YEGOF THE FOOL

From tie French of Erckmann and Chatrian.
CONTINUED
There is some one above" whispered the
smuggler. "Who in the fend's name could
have climed Falkensten in the snow Z"
They listened breathlessly, their eyes fixed
upon ray of pale-blue light which descended
through narrow fssure in the top of the
cave. Around this opening hung gittering
spars of frost !; above it could be seen the crest
of a ruined wall While they gazed thus in
profound silence, q head shaggy with dsor
dered hair, q gittering oirclet binding the
brow, the face long and ending in a pointed
red beard-all sharply outlined against the
white wintry sky-became visible.
at is the King of Diamonds" !" cried Marc
laughing.
"Poor WRETCH" murmured Hnllin "he is
making progress to his castles, his bare feet
upon tue frozen ground, and his tin crown pro-
tecting his head from the cold. Look, Dives,
he is giving orders to the knights of his court !;
he stretches his sceptre north and south-all is
his Poor wretch, esmakes me shiver to see
him with nothing but his dog SIX in robe around
him"
He makes me think" laughed the Snug
ger, "of some round paunched burgomaster,
village mayor, rolling back in Ills chair as
he dilates upon his wealth HIM, am Hans
Alden have ten acres of fine meadow land l
have two houses, a vine, my orchard, my
garden-h'm, have this, that, and the other
The next day a collie seizes him, and then, good
night We FOOLS all of us. Come, Hullin,
after all, the sight of that miserable creature
talking to the winds and of his famne-stricken
crow makes my teeth chatter too.'
They passed on to the entrance of the vault,
aud the glare of day breaking suddenly upon
them dazzled IEullin. The tall form of his
companion guided him, however, and he
pressed after him.
"Step firmly" said Marc, " and do as you
me; your right hand in the hole, right foot
on the step, half turn, and here We are! :"
They returned to the kitchen, where Hexe-
Baizel told them that Yrgof was among the
ruins.
AT the same moment the raven sailed past
the door over the abyss, and uttered its hoarse
cry they heard the frozen heather bend be-
meath steps, and the fool appeared ou the mar
row terrace; he was wan aud haggard, and
cried, looking toward the fire:
MARK Dives, try to leave this soon; warn
you. The Qualifications of my domains must
accordingly"
Then perceiving Jean Claude, Io knit his
brows.
"Thou here, Hullin ?" said be. cart thou
yet far-sighted enough to accept the proposals
deigned to make thee Knowest thou that
he alliance ] offered is the only means of
aving thyself flom the destruction that
,roods upon thy race p
Hnlin could not avoid laughing.
No, Yegof" he replied my sight is not
et clear enough; 1t ID daz d by the honor you
tfcr me-. But Louise is not yet old enough to
marry
The fool seemed at once to grow more gloomy
nd thoughtful. He stood at the edge of the
errace, his back to the abyss, as if in his own
all, and the wbirling of the raven around his
cad disturbed him not in the least.
AT length be raised his sceptre, and said,
" l have twice demanded her, Hallin twice
hou hast dared to refuse me. Once more shall
he demand be renewed-bnt once-dost hear
and then the DEGREES of fate shall be accom-
iished.'
And tuning upon his heel with firm STEP {
nd naughty carriage, wthstanding the
teepuess of the descent, be passed down the
ocky path.
Hulfiu, Marc. Dives, and even the acrid Hexe. :
aizel, burst into peais Of laughter. {
" He is fool" said Hexe- Baizel. {
az think you arc nos altogether wrong" {
1eered the smuggler. Poor Yegof is losing
Is head entirely. Bat listen, Baizel; you will |
sgin At once TO cast bullets Of all ealibres; lit