The New Orleans Democrat., 1876-06-18

my Horoscopes deceived me not y0I ~. nnu: y: !:
90d = hss scemss could
his sxnlsssion st this testimony 70 his astrologl
Yal Yals sk;li. Nv aDprehensions were n0' ss0un'-
'0si; .P;eacel. cried the Queen. Mother; when !
requested your tendance here slgnV,f, b., th1s nsi
Ssot's s escape. p and crave your pardon Il dwell %
eSt eS io Mother Sepe q Heaven, wona not now sur
himself invincbie, and pufied 20 BY his success
should adventure hithef and attempt the rescue I.
ss q as Ss
But no. oven his audacity hath it's limits" .
orhton fesaas DOUBT nos a viii II fulfil his word Are
ycH!l .!l sure he hs is not here already M
4 NAY, madam, the question Is not irrelevant
he quilted the Louvre In disguise in all respects
| hns vowed to ATTEMPT the .Gelosa's rescue-why
/ should not look for him herc?"
Yon i.rge signor that you bass alone be possess ,s
masquerade attire in all respects; bu without
that passport. he could not gain entrance to our
MY enemy possesses the kings signet,
madam. I" returned the mask, which even your
Hal Goth he so ~ exclaimed Catherine.
this is news indeed. Ruggeri. who waits with
outw ,,. In, sn.n
| lard and son OF Anak. whom have taken this
night into your majestys service. Kpaves who
fear not to use the stiietto; and who have, more
somewhile students OF the University"
Enourh h-summon them to my presence"
Ruggeri stamped upon the floor.
customed to meet my adversares in the neid.
sword to sword. cannot sit by and see murder
Murder. laughed Catherine. derisivelly
that ph. ase suits not with the, justice ot a
What a9 hsr
several dark figures assembled from the trap
door the bolts Of which were Withdrawn by the
before the Queen. Amongst them, were the
Spanish student Caravaja. and the giant Lonp-
In their native element; and their fierce and
reckless .oountennnc well assorted with the
nature Of the occupation for which they were
"Get behind yon carvings said Catherine,
motioning to the darkling group; got stay let
him who has the surest dagger remain be-
"Por la vida del Revl claim that honor from
your majesty. said Caravan; my dagger hath
ri Ct thy blow be dealt with more certainty.
braggart, Than WAS his who this morn aimed at
the same breast-.that Of the Chevaller Crictton :
"Por L alma de mi madreP' eJaculated the
Spaniard rs 1t Crichton whom your majesty
.''Hal. dost parley with uss. knave? Take thy
Caravaia drew his dagger. and took the posi-
tion indicated by the queen
tie Will not escape uE HOW. uelnlukS, tA-
claimed katherine. triumphantly.
rs it possible. madam, you can witness this
slaughterous deed unmoved?"
II hear a footstep," exclaimed Ruggieri; he
comes" ,.,
MY dagger thirsts for his blood" returned
Caravaja II see the way ng 81 domln9 t9 Sgr within
| your majesty-not Crichton."
| BE silent. fool, It's he.
MADAM" exclaimed the mask. firmly. this
must not be-, No sssassin's blow shall be struck
Would you assist your enemy2'' said Cathe-
nat ssE an s snd o9 yo,r
to 'd delay the stroke until you have confronted
But strike him not till Withdraw my mask.
A terrible smile played upon Catherine's fea-
Ftures.
bendtd knes.' said she; though say own soul
we're set upon the issue. would not delay my
vengeance one second. Are you answered.
Il am" replied the mask sterny and laying
his hand upon his sword.
4 profound silence ensupd. Not a breath was
drawn. There was something so appalling in
this mOmently anticipated assassination. that
the hearts OF the spectators grew chill with hor-
ghastIy hue. Catherine alone was superior to
this weak ness Of humanity. Her countenance
was Lighted with glance ian OF trampnaha sne
The sounds drew nearer and the points Of a
sablefcather could now be discovered. emerg-
4 Catherine motioned to Caravaja: the latter
raised his dagger and drew back to give more
certainty to the stroke. The new conner slowly
ascended. uttering exclamation as his eye
rested upon the queen and her companions;
At this moment the Span!ards weapon cleaned
was disabled and pnion ed by the teeth of Druid.
and his poignard rolled upon the hoor. The
new conner. whose attire and mask in all re-
started and looked round irresolutey
"Hencel" exclaimed the cavalier your
plans are foiied--yogr stratagsm is discovered
NV followers are within hearing" returned
the mask. raising call to his lips.
But ere sound could be emitted. the trap door
closed with hollow clangor beneath his feet
the machinery having been suddenly turned.
and the bolts shot into their sockets by the
dwarf
Catharine arose and fixed her piercing eyes
upon the cavalier.
"A moment ago | told you signor, that "t yoat
knowledge too dearly. forgive you this indis-
cretion on the score Of your youth-bu beware
how you incur my. displeasure seco 9 time.
The proverb would tell you that the offender
writes in sand-the offended in marble. My
wrong is engrayen in adamant. This man hath
defied me- and by my fathers head he shall die
"What am I to understand from this.
madam Inquired the e. mas in 2 SoiTs ESQ 50 ex fo
incest could not detect shade of difference
in tn intonation. and even Catherine started at
the sound.
Now. by our Lady Of good succour." cried the
queen addressing the cavalier, were not as
sured of your identity siRnor, should almost
doubt the evidence OF my senses-the deiuslon
is wonderful"
mo delusion is practised on my part" re-
turned the mask, haughtily. Your majesty Is
the dupe of other artifce."
You bear yourself boldly. messire,' returned
lCatherine, hut your confidence will not long
avail you. Tear of his maskw
Az this command OF the queen. the men, n-at-
arms. headed by Loupgarou. sprang from their
concealment. ME -.
"HaY'--Saint Anthony to the rescuei-of r
cried the mask, fierceiy. putting himself In a
posture of defense. He dies who first ad-
vances." -.
"Soh!- !--you refuse to remove your wizard.
said the queen: you are self-convicted. mos
sire.' ~
ITO you, madam, should not hesitate to re-
veal my features" replied the mask; but be-
fore these rude assailants-never. You forget
/ to whom you offer this indignity."