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


Y the motions Of this Individual. As it gre
4 dark the forge became quite deserted. One
: one the laborers disappeared till only th
7 master and his assistant remained.
Presently he looked up and scanned TIL
!, window opposite with eager attention Pei
/, ceiying the two ladies at the lattice. he mad
a align 10 arrest their attention, and, leavn
0 the forge came forward into the compare
r tive darkness under the projecting window
I A moment after they heard light tap on tn
! glass. Half curious, half frightened Mari
: signed to Jacqueline to open 1t. The lon
, steel lance was gently pushed In. attached
the point by blue ribbon was small bunc
Of matigolds. Jacqueine unfastened tn
flowers, thrust the lance back again, an
hastily closed the window.
ooh. madam II Is friendl' she exclaimed
! See, your own flowers; and here Is a scroll o
writing bound round them
With trembling fingers Marie unfastene,
the liDs7 silk that secured the paper, and
opening the scroll read these words, nd
dressed to herself In the French language -,
Lady; FAREWELL Thanks for the eolr
tesy | know the state Of perplaxitvfHnd i'm
prlsonment In which thou art. Hthy distress
and peril increase, and thou wouldst have ajt
from without, place the marigolds In tn,
bosom IN the morning, and before the western
sun hath gilded IN Che golden dragon on the
token Of assent. drop two Of the flowers, tiet
with the robbon, from the lattice.
"THEuRDANK."
Ills the stranger Knight himserr' cried
Marie, ilnpetuously. Read, Jacqueliner
and she passed the missive on to her attend.
ant What think you now p
That the Ihuringan Knight grows more
! mysterious and interesting every day" re.
turned Mademoisele de BrIenne, dernnrely,
noting her, young mistress, sparkling eyes
mot that his single arm could avail muet,
against the whole power of the legions OF
Client; nevertheless
| Hush, girl what matters IT. tell thee,
yacquellne, one friend outside the walls of
this detestable city brings me more hope
than hundred Of my most loyal lieges
within. Quick, girl the flowers as he bids.
and fling them out. .wel-nlgh hope we may
| have occasion TO try him"
Jacquelne singled two marigolds from the
bunch, and fastening them securely with the
ribbon, opened the easement and flung them
| into the street below. The tall figure of the
disguised Knight was pacing slowly up and
de#H, hHfBthtttg verse Of 0t1e Of the martial
airs go common In the dominions of the war
like Duke Of Burgundy. He looked round az
the window opened, and, taking off his cap.
picked up the marigolds and fastened them In
the hrim. Then with q courtly bow and wave
OF his hand he crossed the street and passed
Into the interior of the forge.
Marie's captivity had lasted week, when
one morning she received summons to at
tend meeting Of the council at the Hotel de
Ville Outwardly treated with all honor and
respect escoted by O large body of men-at-
arms, and with much show of magnitlcence,
she made her appearances before her rebellious
subjects. With a graceful inclination of her
head she entered the council-room and took
her seat under the purple canopy Of the chair
Of state, while lille. de Brienne and her pages
of honor retired a little behind It..
IL seemed that her refractory subjects. as a
climax To their tyranny, had taken upon
themselves to choose. a husband for her, al
lleging ns their motive. what really had a
foundation in truth--tbat among all those
who had sought her hand Marie had never
degned to show favor to any. They had
therefore, taken the matter into their own
hands, fixed upon the bridegroom, and now
sent for their liege lady to inform her of their
aspirants to the hand Of Marie dc valois the
most prominent the Prince de Cloves and the
Duo de Gueldres; the first an exceedingly
handsome young man, but deficient In intel |
lect; me second man 81 middle age. mon
ster OF cruelty, even In that lawless time, and
at that moment in prison Mt Courtrai for the |
murder OF his own father. Il was this man |
upon whom the Council of Client had fixed as |
2 fitting husband for their beautiful young |
Duchess,
Marie's heart sank with agony and dIsmay |
On hearing this cruel and unfeeliDg scheme. |
Her grief and Indignation knew no bounds, |
She well knew the terrible violence and OBJ
stiDacy OF these proud burghers, and shud-
trag her to the altar with one of the most |
wicked and destestable Of men. II IL served
heir purpose. Sum moniDg all her courage
while her blanched cheeks and trembling
lips showed how great was her fear, she said !.
Surely, Messieurs, you do not counsel me
o anything SO monstrous. The Due de Guel-
Tres is not fitting match for Marie do Valois
3ethink you Of his age, his horrible crimes
t is not possible can entertain the idea of
uch an alliance. L pray you do not press 1t
lpon me-"
She was answered by a long harangue on
he policy that made the union desirable The
)uc de Gueldres was brave soldier. If bad
nan, and his authority would curb the dissen-
Owed upon it, and had already sent an en-
'assy to Courtrai to release the prisoner and
onduct him with oil honor to Client.
Surely ye would not compel me to marry
gainst my will?' exclaimed Marie, In tone
1 horror. as she glanced appealingly around
he assembly for one friendly face Surely
g who have daughters OF your own do not
Din I'm this Ubiquitous scheme By your love
,r them beseech you to. think better of itr'
he went on, imploringly.. her eyes filling
ming glances. "Ah, Messieurs. had my brave /.
sthor been alive We had not vent1red even to /.
anne that wicked and INSCRIPTIONS man to
le."
1t was an unfortunate speech, recalling as :
did 70 the minds Of the Council the some '
hat arbitrary and not always over-iust deal '
,gs Of Charles the Bold with his turbulent =
objects Of Ghent The poor young Duchess !
'as assailed with storm of upbiaidings and I
lsolent menaces. All the spirit Of Maries '
lartial ancestors flashed into fire at these s
treats. For some minutes she sat in silent l
3orn, her bosom swelling with Indignation, '
er fair face flushing. At length, rising In 2
or seat, she waved her hand for silence. and =
18th her slight figure drawn up and her i
.ately head raised. she cried In defiant tones. ;
scorn your threats and hold ye In con- \
,mpt. Helpless and alone as am. ] defy Y
gu! tell you that sooner than become the p
ride of the ruIian Due de Gueldres, will U
lily myself to the lowest and meanest In the 3
ty-aye, even the very armorer that works !
eneath my window. Come, Jacqueline, this y
iscussion beseems me not; we will retire" 7
nd with flashing eye and a glance Of haugh- :
7 displeasure round the assembly the young o
duchess quilted the room.
But. though she carried herself SO bravely a
sfore the Council, when Marie once more i
,ached her own apartments she threw her Il
,lf on her couch in despair, and gave way to Q
airs which pride had redressed In their pres J,
ace. Evening came and found the poor II