The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1878-09-18
BLANCHE OF PARIS.
A Tale OF the Gay and Gallant Time Of
Charles VII.


IRON an oh ko0aahs1
One of the most accomplished cavalier
who fiourished at the court of Charles VII.
kin Of France. was the Duke de Chateau
Roster. The fame Of his name had pene
trated all parts of his native country. and
wasacknowledged even by the stern Britons
whose naughty valor was then signalized b,
asuccessful invasion of La belle France. Tn,
Duke de Chateau Roster had welded thu
fair Marguerite de yalence. whose beauty
he had long proclaimed peerless, and sus
tanned his gallant avowal whenever lance.
were splinted and swords hacked in the
t~ilting-ring. But he was q tickle lover,
and after wedding the lady of his choice
his affection grew a little colder. This was
not an unusual occurrence in the DAYS of
Charies VII, and is sometimes noticed even
now. Gay, volatile, and gallant, the young
luke lived but for the pursuit Of pleasure,
and although his temperament rarely hur-
med him into a criminal excess il prompted
MIN to seek amusement, coute qti coufe. It
happened unfortunately for the Duchess of
Chateau Roster that her husband had prom
ised an old comrade on his death.bed to
watch over his surviving daughter, Lady
blanche, called for her pale and pearly
beauty Lys-des-champs. As this fair damseI
was not received beneath his roof, the young
duke was constrained to make her frequent
visits Mt her late fathers mansion. where.
under the guardianship of n staid old duenna
the Lys-des- champs seemed determined to
live in monnstic seclusion, unknown to and
~unknowing the world. In her presence he
trified many an hour away, nd Blanche en-
dured his society, partly because he was q
Trend OF her father, and partly because he
kept ut q distance the gaudy courtiers
whose fiattery annoyed her. In the midst
OF this nnworfby frfH;nn &ha .1.l-o 5000
a summons to join the banners of Charles
VII, then displayed against the English
IN the north. He briefly acquainted the
duchess of the necessity of a speedy depart
ure, while his trumpets blew to horse and
saddle in the courtyard.
Farewell " said the duchess, wiping a
tear from her eyes as she spoke ; q farewell,
brave Of heart, stout OF hand Do thy
duty against these fierce invaders, for the
honor of thy lady and La belle France. And
stay You are q married man, but still
let my color and my favor float over Inv
lofty helmet" She detached a scarf Of
blue and silver from her bosom, and gave
II to the duke as she embraced him. The
Knight received it with an mir of proffcred
respect and perfect indifference, politely
enough took leave of the duchess, and hum
med the air Of a Prorencaie song Us he de-
scended the great marble staircase that led
from his hall to the courtyard.
"A benson for the gift " muttered the
luke to himself. But Henri de Chateau
Roster wears the favor of another dame"
As he thus soliloquized he drew ma a
small white glove, whereon q sing silver
lily was embroidered, and placed it on the
crest Of his helmet. Mounting his strong
war-horce, he rode out into the streets Of
Paris, where, taking an unfrequented route.
he eotobt tho dwau;pr ~ tha Todu n1.r.l.'
In those remote times they had not discov-
cred the method of being not at home"
to IN unwelcome visitor, and SO poor Lady
Blanche was forced to give an audience to
thed duke. She endeavored to keep her old
duenna by her side, but that worthy old
dame refused to understand the signal Of
her mistress, and, being in the interest of
b Grant cavalier, make some excuse for
leaving him alone with Blanche.
ITO what, my lord, !" said Blanche, IAN
1 to attribute q visit at this early and I'M
s~easonable hour, and why do you come
hither in garb SO untitled for a lady's bower,
wearing corslet of Milan steel instead OF
doublet of Venetian velvet ?"
Alas fair LADY," answered the duke,
"the morton and the corslet must now be
familiar to the DANES of France, and happy
they if they do not see the steel of English
men cleaning in their bowers. l am for
the wnrs. and therefore wear my coat OF
proof. This must be my apology for taking
leave of you in harness."
Say no more, my lord" said Lady
Blanche. Though I dislike to see noble
knights arm themselves for the tournament
prepared to deface the image of their Maker
under pretence of honoring their mistresses
still 1 can view the departure of the chiv.
airy of France to battle for their country
with feelings of unmingled pleasure. Me.
thinks the helmet of the knight sits With
loftier grace upon his brow when he ride.
forth in such a cause. Go, then, my lord
hasten to Join the standard of our royai
Charles, and believe that while your sword
is carrying destruction to the ranks of tn,
invaders Blanche of Paris is kneeling tt
Notre Dame and praying the blessed Viz.
gin to extend her spotless shield befor.
you"
Beautiful girl " exclaimed the duke
"yours is the noble enthusiasm of the Maic
of Orleans. Hear me protfer on my kne.
the homage"-
Rise, my lord I" cried Lady Blanche.
This language l have once before forbid
den. 1t is unworthy of you-insulting to
me What do you forget that you are n
husband and a father? When ! listen with
attention to your 81 ameless suit, may the
avenging fires of heaven str Ike me dead ="
Hal" cried the duke, rising md NUT
tering to himself, I" she breaches rarely
My Carmelite confessor could hardly Civ.
more ghostly counsel. By our lady. Their,
must be more in this than meets the ear
She has some other lover. I'll delay m,
departure till tomorrow, lying perdue in
the meanwhile, and try to discover whom
this proud girl loves. If Lady Blanche il,
but as other DANES of the court, all Paris
shall ring with the tale. Henri de Chateau.
Roster is not lightly scorned.p
With IN air of deep respect the knight
raised the fair hand of the offended Blanch.
to his lips and took his leave of her. From.
her presence he went to seek his friend and
companion-in-arms, the Chevalier st. Ar
mand de Montluc. Meanwhile the old du.
emma of poor Blanche, who only favored the
Duke de Chateau Roster for the sake of his
money, had told to the unhappy duchess
the secret of her husbands infidelity. To
return, however, to the duke.
st. Armand" said the duke, when the
two knight-companions met, thou art my
tried and trusty friend"
p" thank our grace for the confidence"
replied st. Armand. Sir Damon and Sir
Pythins, of whom cur troubadours tell the
story in their jingling ballads. were not, /
think, more faithful to each other. II my
poor sword cleft the crown Of the caitif
who was swinging an axe above thy helm at
Point du Nord, it was thy good lance that
saved my life at Barraco."
81 come to ask a favor of thee, st. Ar
mnnd
s ITO be Continued.)
cHAs: EMERSON, GEO. H. WEST