The New Orleans Democrat., 1876-05-28
ESCLAlR MONDE.
A Thrilling Romance OF the Reign OF
Henry III.
- CHAPTER x.
CATHERINE DIX MEDICIS.

CHAPTER X.
CATHERINE DE MEDICIs.
DO not let me detain you from the dance
mon Shcr SAID MI smsng Ta 70 oyn Ut,c,9h ~ noi
The Navarroise il Just struck up. That figure
has always ahracti IN for our sister Marguerite.
Pray ye, solcit the favor Of her hand.
With smile like a sunbeam. the. royal Gree
extended her hand to Crich'o on, as he advanced
towards her, That smile went like dagger to
the heart OF Esclarmonde.
AN instant madame" said Chrchton Ere
quit his mAesty's presence | have suit to
Say on" repIied Henri.
& Were my intercesson in your behalf needful
YOU should have It," said Marguerite de yalos.
but youtintereet with the king our brother is
"still lot me have. your voice, madame" re-
turned Uriehton for my solicitation refers, to
MOI ,norninl. % by dis ,uised Venetian met girl, and /
have since ascertained that her life is threat
aned by the traitor Ruggieri" ,,.,
Traitor !" echoed Catherine de ModiCis, start
ing to her feet. and fixing fierce glance upon
Criohton hal consider well what you advance,
,nessire-ttis pertains to me-kuggier trai-
TO his eo0ereign madame. to the king your
son,2 answered Crichton, resoutely returning
BY Notre Dame this concerns me. it would
seem. sold Henri. NAY, frown not, madame.
Since his reported medication Of my brother
Charles beverages, have ever misdouDted your
astrologer. and. TO speak truth, wonder not at
Ghrichk6p's = charge; for the countenance of Rug
viii not Judge him unheard But first let us
know more Of this Venetian girl. How is she
threatened by RugSieri Z"
she is his prisoner. Sir replied Chrichton
confined within the turret belonging to her ma
lesty near the Hotel de Soissons. have myself
penetrated the turret, where heard moans, and
saw her tilfough the bars of her cell"
9N" And YOU dared TO force your way ththerl'
Exclaimed Catherine by my right hand mes
sire, you shall repent your temer!ty..
eyir for N nd -
my head shall bo the price of her deliveranca.
"Ltake YOU Al your word. messire. ou shall
haye the Z r. II you will adventure again within
Beware. beware" whispered Marguerite dc
Valois. pressing Grichton's hand tenderly: as
YOU vaiuoW tope. say no more. See You not
she smile. '8as step more, and you tread upon
- II netiors uoa," replied Crichton, withdraw
ing his hand from the clasp of the Queen Of Ma
dressisA Aoahsrine de Medicis. will hardly de
ter me from Che execution OF an enterprise in
which my boacr Is at stake.
Hal braVedF cried Catherine.
"NosaGr se,d Marguerite, impls9ringly-"He
does nos brape brave you. mother.
Ny head bs tiae penalty 81 my failure"
Belt tso, answered Catherine. reseating her
And en aisendant Chevalier Crchton. you
withdraw Che charge Of treason which you pre-
NO sire, rsniied Crichton; Il accuse Cosmo
Ruggieri. hhbe Of Saint Mahe., of high treason
and of ma.3ltn1 Ions against the state. These
ohargesi WI % snesiantiaee against MIN by proof
- By wha6 proof p demanded Henri
BY thhssee.i sire. set forth in acheRlical char
aoters: uninteii igbe it may be to your MAJ esty
or to any oBa hsre assembled; but which my ac-
alaintapce WITH its cypher enables me TO inter
pret THIS scroll. exhibiting scheme for the
dostrucaiott 5f ysur life seized within Ruggieri's
retreat, upon his own table, with the traces OF
his own ink s.arce dried upon it. furnishes
proof lnconuovsrtible Of q dark conspiracy
against y0ur safety of which this accurSed as-
trologer b, the chief instrument. Let his person
he secured. siro and difliculto OF comprehension
as the mystic l~,ters of this document appear.
undertake ID ma ke them clear and evident as his
guilt is black ant damning to the tribunal before
which he sliaI! be arraigned."
Henri looked for an instant irresolutely to-
wards bis mo'i.cr. Ruggieri was about to cast
himself ,t tli@ kings feet, but at gesture from
Catherine h9 remained stationary. regarding
Griohtou with 8 soowi Of bitterest animosity.
Your boasfet powers Of logic, Chevaler erich
ton,, said ths Queen Mother. might have
ssught you thet from unsound premises false
50n0lusionS must come. III you have no further
proof asaintt Ruggieri than that adduced from
Nos So this this cypSer @ ~ e impicates
higher power than Ruggieri.'
It does proceed from higher source than
that OF EuggtTi. replied Catherine. " That
scroll ID my c1ntt'lyance.
Yours. trad,neW exclaimed Henri. in sur
Qles,a 90 ule not further. my son." returned
Catherine Be assured that | watch over your
interostb with maternal soicitude: and that If
WORK IN datKNcse. nave only one ann the
maintenance q your glory and power. Here
after you ehall know the real purport of this
scroll Leescthe cares of rule to me"
3" This batr bralned youth has marred one of
my best laid plans" continued Catherine. scorn-
tully; but pardon his indiscrction for his zeal
IN your hel:a.t. Eenri. But TIT him use more
3auticn in future.
" The rssl You reprobate madame" replied
Criqhton proudly. prompts me- 1T the peril.
perheps, 81 n,y ti{e to tell yom,. that even you
are the dupe Of Ruggieri. This scroll is not
what you suppose il.
= Hap excatined Catherine.
From ia tenor | an satisfied it is not the
document he had your authority 70 prepare
Nov. hy our Lady, this nsolence passeth
IN endurandeh cried Catherine. furiously.
Henri your eirc would have hewed off his
BEST knh;hs spurs at the heel erey your mothers $
Donot trri;ate yourself, madame, replied
chief faait u your. eyes appears to be his anx
ault 20 blame. I would willingly hear my ad-
vocate Gus ere relinquish an investigation
which appears 20 involve such important con-
Catherine grew pale. but she spoke with calm-
nOss. pr0caeri sir, she said. addressing
Criohtcn tcc king wishes it. | will answer
. To prep1 20 YOU. madame said Crichton.
how nluUL .ou have been deceived. | will ask
YOU whether u @a1 oy your authority TINS Iimags
his pourpeiGt ? small waXen figure represent
Par Notre Dana de Bonsecours.n etammered
Henri, growing white; IN spite of his rouge.
Pierced with poignard to the heart. SIRE :
replied Crehto.. Behold where the puncture
IT a. TT see Il" calculated Henri. Ave
sire" exclaimed Ruggieri, finging himself
Rugg;er. from Eir.; Y thy touch is pollution