The New Orleans Democrat. (New Orleans, La.) 1875-1876, 1876-07-30

L WnHtHyeR
81 irolc DANES. Who occupied . fsnteuil neal
!hem, and the voice Of tbe Abbs Dc Brsntoms
tying efYsct upon the fair auditors.
grand ssIon, tRs SGot Detached himself from
mssk. proceeded With quick step 10 the dirse,
ton Of the Queen Mother. Catherine at thal
Bae az Nses he ssSsS
approach her upperceived. Stationing himself
behind pillar. his quick ear failed not to catch
ried on. for the most part. in whispers.
qlaImed Il The discovery d his lsttsr contained
striking bowa" ssid De DEN Nev s ''' "'''o''
The, moment ! received ur billet /. dis
nm s 81
''Confusion.l" muttered the duke; his head
een gen Henri viii dare nothing against
You are thoughtful. Monster lie Due" said
| Catherine suspieiously.
lam full Of regret that our plot is defeated"
"it is not utterly defeated" answered the
queen; -.
What Aniou dared not do will execute alone.
Failing In my attempts upon the honesty Of
| the incorruptible Scot. have found hand as
sure as his. and less reluctant Hold your par
tisans in readiness, De Nevers Henri dies to-
"And your majesty, can fully rely upon the in
Fully replied Catherine: he is a Spanish
bravo. accustomed to the use Of the stetto-and
will not need to repeat the blow.
| tbs. we'll" reioined the duke-"and the
Twill be the kings assassination said
Catherine. Mark me. De Nevers. 1 will con
| oval chamber together. The assassin is already
posted behind the arras. AS the king passes he
will strike DO y?9 T., and your attendants , rush
down without mercy. Henris death will lie at
| his door"
| ii shall be done. madam
Ali here comes Du Halde. We must sepa-
| rate"
Possessed Of the plans of his enemies Crich-
| awaited his return with impatience TO the
oval chamber. my queen. he said, quick
quick
| "Henri's life is menaced by an assassin" re-
piled Crichton. Il must seek him. and apprise
Henri Is there .already,' returned Mar
chamber with Esc s 81 monde .,,, 80.
| Il may be too late to save him.
| twill be necessary to re. urn for o moment to
| the Princess 81 Condo. After rejecting Henriis
proposal In the disdainiul manner described.
and in order to escape from his further ASST
duties, while he lent an attentive ear to Bran
tones homily. .Esclairmonde retired into the
embrasure. and throwing open the window,
stepped forth upon the balcony. A terrible spec
tace was presented to her view. In the midst OF
n 4 tie d still air Of night brilliantly iiuminatisss
| q confused mass Of threatening figures, hung q
black and shapeless object. The princess turned
aside in horror. just then loud exulting roar
arose from the multitude. The remains OF the
martyred Chretien had dropped into the devour-
ing element Escairmonde heard no more. She
fell without sense into the arms of Henri, and
by his command. was instantly conveyed to the
oval chamber.
When Crichton arrived at the doors OF this
chamber ne found them closed. Two huissiers
stationed before them peremptorily refused him
admttaDee.
Follow me-" said Marguerite de valois: Il
will show you a secret entrance to the room"
Passing through suit of apartments with the
rapidity of thought Crichton and the Queen
which suit Of tapestry having been removed
by Marguerite, n masked door was disclosed
Another valve admitted them to the oval cham
"Helpl" exclaimed Henri, who. pursued by
Caravaia with drawn dagger In his hand, flew
il the direction of the sound. An assassin
'Sangre di Dios have m Used my first blow"
cried the SDaniard, catching hold Of Henri's
mantle.'but this shall Dnd the way to thy heart,
But as he uttered the words. the sword Of
CSchton passed through his body, and he fell |
heavily upon the. person OF the king. which he |
deuged with his blood.
"Crlchtoul' exclaimed Esclairmonde. aroused
from her inssnsibiity by Henri's outcries. sahl
5 himself t With b, diculty from s, the BE- Trios which
upon his ' cloak a' The Virgin Be- ne prased
have escaped wi'hout injury though not with
out alarm. Chey.alier Crichton, Let those doors
Tie command was obeyed; and the monarch.
pale, trenb ng and Gov red with blood was re-
yealed to the general gaze. BY his side stood
C-ichtOn with his drawn sword in his hand sill |
giving ghastly evidence OF tho execution he had
done. Amid the universal consi ernation that
prevailed. the voice OF the Due de Nevers was
"The king is MORALLY wounded-the assassin
ia. before us,, 1t Is Crichton. Stay him
Hold" CALCULATED Henri. checking the move
ment OF this faction am unhurt. messieurs."
he continued. addressing the guard: II com
Neve r. whom we accuse OF ieze- majestic and
treason. Madam, added he. turning to Cath
crime er you VIII answer me on the same
AT once, and b ,ldly. my SON." replied the
Queen Mother. You are deceived. The sole
Waller Chricton guilty Of the crimes you have
"Let Cosmo Ruggieri stand forth" said Crch-
At this summons. the astrologer forced his
way through the crowd
What hast thou to advance against me2" de-
handed the queen. tmper Ously.
q, That you have conspired against the life Of
he king, yosr son, and against his CROWN re-
kugser m ana that the nac Dc
leigh tn regard this scroll2"
1t is thine own condemnation, Ruggieri"
,aid Henri, glancing at the document; thou
art deeply implicated in this conspiracy"
Il denyit not" replied the astrologer; let
'aual justice be dealt upon all who have betrayed
vou." r
''Ruggeri.,, said the king. thy doom Ia the
,alleys. De Nevere shall lose bis head For
'ou, madam he added looking ut the Queen
Mother. 4 viii reflect upon your sentence"
Il am content" said Ruggieri. with = look Of
ratified revenge; ''one Of these accursed Con
Away with him." said Henri. 'Chevaler
)rchton" he added. embracing the Scot, you
re my preserver, and henceforth my brother.
have played the tyrant and the libertine long
nough.. / will now endeavor to assume the
art OF the generous monarch. The hand Of the
'rincess Of Coonde is yours-hal what means
his hesitation?" ,
Sire! greater obstacle than you have raised
ivides us" replied Crchton; 'our creeds are
iferent."
What of that?' sa d Henri of Navarro. who
ad joined the group: Marguerite de Yalois is
Catholic. am a Protestant"
An excellent example, certes" said Chicot |
Dreaming with laughter
There IL one favor which you can confer.
ire, and which can accept" said Chricton.
a -