The New Orleans Democrat. (New Orleans, La.) 1875-1876, 1876-07-23

think with all his reckless courage. that II pro.
ceeded from mere bravado. Ny own opinion
u " no added. lowering his voice, that he il
portant Information from him"
:. - will essay, mon enfant." replied Henri III
but despair Of success, Look ut BIS stub orn
| visage aud resolute bearing and say If threats
are likely to shake him That man would perish
rather than play the traitor."
! And 30 1t proved. Blount refused 10 return
other than asurly monosyllabic response 10 tie
monafeb's Inquiries
| Henri Ill, mpatibntly, and let the question
ordinary and extraordinary be- proposed q
q" It will extort nothing. reioined the English.
man. firmly.
was right, you perceive. mon cher said
| the monarch, turning to his favorite.
VIII IND o. way 70 wiring bis secret from
where his vulnerable point lies"
| And he whispered TO the king
. You have hit II" returned Henri laughing
But proeeed not to extremities"
Leave him to me. sire, said Joyeuse. Draw
| thy sword he added addressing the man nj
arms by whom Druid was guarded and upon
each interrogation which this obstinate traitor
may DECLINE to answer. hew limb from his
hound"
The weapon Of the belberder flashed IN the
"Devisl" cried Blount. In n voice that sounded
like the roar Of lion, ut the Same time exerting
himself with SO much force MS to burst nsunder
the leathern thong that confined his arms.
Reply. without disguise, to his majesty's in
terrogations." said Criohton advancing towards
well then, returned Blouut, TO spare my
dog unnecessary suffering. will do that which
| would not have done to preserve my own flesh
me viii 81 rev IN b
rood have nothing TO reveal. | might have
borne 70 sse Druid perish" he muttered. but
70 behold him dis by pieeemeal-no-no--l could
What broughtthee hitber. thou contumacious
varletf, demanded Henri III. Vert thou not
aware that thy life would pay tho penalty Of thy
| i was fully aware Of the consequences Of the
step 70 a tine En- shan BIT
any consideration of danger"
What friend. sirrabY
Il have been too bold perhaps to term him
such. returned Bount: hbut death levels MI
distinctions. and mine Is near nj hand that I
may claim some exemption from worldly forms.
worthy place in his remembrance"
Thy devotion to whom, sirrahf' demanded
Henri Ill. lmpatiedtly no tho King Of Ma
TO the Chevaler Criohton. SIRE
70 Grlehton echoed Henri. IN astgnish-
ment Morbleul Joyense' 10 continued. nd
unaeeountable influence over his fellows. Here
y sturdy knave. who ,dsrides the dungeon and
he bears him BY what magic Is this accom-
plishedY'
" By the, magic Of manner, sire" returned
JuyrNEr. wills over smile hnhHl1 SO phptiVntiuu
WIS ever demeanor Witnessed Mt once SO cour
teous and so dignitled. MS that Of Criehten Add
70 the charm II manner. tbs epnobing and
heroic spirit OF chiyalry breathing from his
liahtest word and notion weaving its spell
around him, and inspiring all who approach
with kindrod ardor. and you have the secret Of
bis witchery over the minds Of men. II was the
same with Bayard-the sntne with Du Guesein-
with Chnrlsfnagnp, md with GodefrOy de Bouil-
lon. some men there. arc Tor whom We would
willingly live others for whom we would readily
die. Crichton is among the latter"
You have merely drawn a distinction between
friendship aud devotion. mon cher. replied Hen
ri, turning. with look Of displsnsure. towards
Bloupt Thy intelligence must have been Of
vital import. sifrah.' he added. pursuing his in
pniries. since u GOULD not be delayed ill the
lous - were ended 2"
My errand was nothing more" answered
Bl2nnt earneesslg; than to appriso the Che.
some store. and which. after mourning various
risks. had been strangely found, was again as
strangely lost"
lis this all thou know'st concerning It, mon
matre2"
II know that it hHs proved fatal charge, sire.
All who have nodded with it have come 10 II
1t was lost. n i was won, nj the point If tho
sword. To tbs breast Of him who first grnsped
IT, IT brought .poignnrd to the. next who re
bring the axe. May like calamity alght on her
INFO whose possession II hath now fnllebi"
Your InHIesty will perhaps next question him
us TO his acquaintance with the contents Of the
packet intefposed Criehton.
BY no means. returned Henri frowning. i
perceive your Urili, ana have heard enough 10
convince me that the testimony of this traitor ia
suborned. Hoal Iarehant." he continued nd
dressing one of the officers in attendance. "let
the prisoner be conveyed 10 the Chntglet and
thrown into the Fin false where If he expire
not within the week. the headspan may reease
him from further torture"
Yours hre tender uerpips sire returned
Blount smiling disdanfulV
Let the hound be cared for" continued Henri
ls he not to go with me7' asked Blount.
Hence with the prating knavel' exclaimed
the king. furously.
Blount suddenly broke from. his guards. and
FRUSTRATED himself a the kings feet
know my life Is forfeited. and justly: but oh !
Henri wavered. If he had a heart. it lay on
the side on which the Engsbman now assaulted
him.
Thou lov'st thy ,dog?' he said musingiy.
Better than my life
"'Tis good sign Thou sboud'st be honest.
! cannot however, grant thy request. Refusal
here ~ mercy. The poor animal would only
howl beneath thy carcase and 1t may console
thee to learn. that In changing masters. he will
find one who will not value him less than thou
dost. while he is better able to protect him.
stand back mon mare."
My dog IL no courtier" replied Blount. ris-
ing; he, Will serve no second master What
TIL summons, followed by short sharp
whistle; brought Druid instantly to the, English
and in his teeth he held large fragment of the
apparel Of the man alarms. which he had torn
off in eifectiug his Liberation.
Il knew no bonds would hold thee, brave fell
low said Blount. earessing his dog who In his
turn. fondly licked his masters hand. we must
part. old cOmrnde."
Druid looked wistfully in his face
Forever, said Blount, slowly. ''foreyerr
Away with him." cried Henri but take heed
y harm not the dog. ! would not lose that
noble animal for n princes ransom"
"A moment. sire, and he is yours" circulated
Blount over whose open and manly counte-
nance suen cloud had now spread 1T is hard
to part with a friend whom one has long cher
ished. This dog" he continued, with difficulty
mastering the emotion. which WAS proclaimed
by sundry witches at tbe corners Of his mouth.
will feed from hand but mine: will an swer
to no call but mine: will fight mt no bidding but
mine / must teach him obedience to his new
master You will find him tractable enough
when have done with him"
Il will take every care of him." said Henri
somewhat affected by the scene.
Fare thee well. Drudl' murmured Blount;
and now" he added. gently. lie down old
friend"
Druid crouched upon the ground.
Swift as thought Blount placed his foot upon
the dogs body, as II about to crush him to |
the earth, and with both hands seized the |
scarf entwined round his throat hough he per- |
ceived the action, and might have guessed its |
intent Druid offered no resistance His eyes /