The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-01-26

fastened them In the bosom Of her dress. n
doubt not his truth, but, alas / what can one
man do against the whole city OF Gbent2'
The day wore on evening approached, and
then with every moment fled a portion o.
hope vague. 1t is true-whieh sustained her
TO add to her distress another message came
| from the Council expressive Of their expecta-
tion that all was prepared for the betrothal
ceremony on the morrow. With straining
eyes Marie stationed herself at the window,
and watched the sun as Il crept lower and
lower In the west, the long beams resting i'm
crimson radiance on the delicate traeery and
iret- work OF the spire Of Ngtre Dame. The
last shaft OF light rested on the famed golden
dragon, quiveted and vanished, aud the gray
| twilight crept over the city. Marie turned
| from the easement, her last hope gone
"Oh. Jacqueline,' she cried, bursting into
| q passion of tears, II am lost abandoned by
| heaven and by man."
Hush, madame, oh hushl" cried Jacaue-
/ line, as she strove to soothe the hysterea
weeping by earesses and gentle Words
Suddenly wild clanor broke out In the
street below, cries and screams, mingled with
hoarse shouts Of command. JaeuIeline rushed
70 the window, threw 1t open and leaned out.
The street was filled with tamultuous
crowd, tossing and swaying hther and
thither; torches blazed, lickered, swords
drawn, and spears gli1ted in the waning
light; cries Of treason treason treason y
The Duke the Duke cut him down y min
gled with wild hurrabs Of delight rose In the
air.
at Is the Duo de Gueldres," said Marie,
family. "Oh, Jacqueline, what shall do2"
mo, do not think it is said Jacqueline,
leaning further out Of the window, while the
uproar Of the street grew louder every mo
ment. In q few minutes, forcing their way
through the midst Of the melee appeared
body Of armed men on horseback, led by q
stately figure mounted on ooal-black
charger. He was encased In q magnificent
suit OF silver arfnor, as flexible rs silk; q
black scarf on which the cross of Burgundy
was embroidered was crossed over his breast,
and light silver morton, with bunch Of
mRrigolds az badge rested on his head.
An esquire In crimson and gold carried ban
ner, richly emblazoned, behind him.
He refined In his spirited Arabian MS he
leaning. A flaming torch Hared up at the
moment and threw a vivid light full upon
him. He took OFF the silver morton and bowed |
to his horses name, and Marie recognized In |
The stately mlen and oourtly gesture of the
mail-clad warrior the stranger Knight, Max |
Theurdank. squirting his horse through the |
crowd he came close up under the window.
"Sald | not | would do and dare every |
thing for thee = he cried. looking up with an |
eloquent glance at the lovely young Duchess. |
Unable to comprehend The scene or It's |
bearing on her own fate, Marie retired into |
the room, there to discuss with Mademoise!e
de BrienDe the mysterious reappearance
OF the Knight and the curious beha-
selves with conjecture. but no solu-
ton they could imagine appeared at all
They were not long In suspense. In less
than an hour q very humble delegation from
The sapient council OF Client sought an inter
view with the Duchess. 1t was b. lay before
her communication from Frederic Ill, Elm
Deror Of Germany. for treaty Of marriage
with his son. the Archduke Macmillan. This
was q proposal In every way agreeable to the
iantos. and those tickle citizens were willing.
Vt q moments notice, to transfer their favor
rom the Due dc Gueldres to this new and
powerful candidate for the hand of their Iiege
ady Marie received the proposal with ,in-
lfterable delight True, she had never seen
Macmillan In her life, but his fame as noble
md cbivalrous hero had spread far and wide,
md she saw In him savior and protector.
me able and willing to stand between her and
ler unruly subjects.
Half an hour afterward, radiant with beau-
y and happiness, megniicently attired and
eated In state In her reception ROOM Marie I
waited the coming OF the young Archduke.
he doors were thrown open, and, preceded
y ushers and surrounded by brilliant escort
L knights and mobiles. appeared q stately
CURE clad I'm silvery armor, having black |
cart across his breast and bearing a bunch
marigolds In his hand His face sparkled
nth triumph, his eyes half mischievously.
alf trlumphantly, sought the sweet face OF g
Is destined bride, and Marie de Valois recog- .
lied the wandering stranger Knight Theur-
ank. her hero OF many a girish dream, the
rchduke Macmillan.