Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-05-01
CHAPTER XVI.
RANF AND MAUvAIN.

which l spent IN the deserted mouse, Ieasu-
ing on old wine and old books. | spared
neither, and did not abuse them. The
wine created for me an ideal world, in
which L performed vainglorious deeds
the books bore better fruit. There were
in the library many manuscripts relating
to botanical science, and these were espe-
cially attractive to me, for the reason, per-
haps that the surrounding forests afforded
practical illustrations, and that my time
was my own to search for them. | became
q have no doubt specifically learned In
the growth and life and affinities of plants,
and my studies-which were of infinite
value to me in what l choose to call soul
development me to the discovery of a
Dream -fower, from which / distilled a
liquid the mere inhalation of which is suffi-
Gent to produce sleep, and, often, beauti-
full and remarkable dreams. The Dream
flower is growing now upon this mountain
of snow.
$50 passed my early life, Evangeline ;
for it is to you 1 am speaking. Your
spirit, dear one, seems to be lowering over
me In this hut; you are but child now /;
when you are woman, love me not less.
You viii live to hear words of deep devo-
ton from mems lips, but there is no being
who would endure more for your sake than
Rant the deformed.
My mother said to me:
Rant, the old lord is dead.
Wen?' l answered.
ga new man reigns, his son. We shall
have fine times again.
Is he better than the lord who is
dead?
&C Fresher, younger, with blood not yet
ripened. The old lord let things run to
waste. He has palaces in which he has not
set foot for years. Think of that
81 am thinking of it. What will be
done with those palaces now?'
&c They will be inhabited again The
old lord in his youth led riotous life the
young one will do the same. There will
be hunting and feasting and love-making.
All, Rant, 1, too, was young once.
" Naturally. Is this new lord rich ?"
'' He could not count his money.
ssAhl Others will do it for him.
20 Ranf,' said my mother, you talk as
if you knew the world
One does not need to mix with 1t to
know it.
"She came close to me. you are mis-
taken; you know nothing; you will be
wiser in time
81 hope so. Wisdom shall have
welcome
"'It is as bitter as gall; you will wish
you were hind
IS Why:'
''She touched my hump, and pointed
to my crooked limbs. You are spollt
man, she said.
"'Well, said, pretending to care
nothing for her croaking, if l am spoIt
for this world, l am not for the next.
s'There is no next she muttered
gloomily; this is the end of everything
81 did not argue with her; one must
decide for oneself; there is no proof that
can be demonstrated. To pay another man
to make faith for you is to reduce religion
to the level of trade.
''The thought disturbed me, How will
it be with you, Rant, when the new lord
comes this way? VIII he leave you your
palace, or fill it with his lacqueys?' There
was but one reasonable answer, and l said,
'Ranf, you are no longer king.
''But consoled myself with the refec-
ton that had made good use OF time and
opportunity.
81 felt the necessity of being more
cautious than hitherto in my visits to the
deserted mansion. A curious temptation
assailed me. If, thought 1, were to
meet this lord, and send him into sleep
from which he would not wake, l should
be safe, and we both should be happy.
could do SO with my dream-fower.
"Since the news of the succession OF the
new lord the woman whom 1 must con-
tinue to call my mother had shown hide
Gus desire to decorate herself with gew-
gaws and fine clothes, of which, to my sur
prise, she had supply. I had no idea that
she possessed hidden treasure.
"'Why do you make yourself so gay ?
asked.
SO To please the young lord, she an
swered.
"'Do you think he will fall in love will
your
"She leered at me- l had never any
respect for her my feeling now was one
Of adherence.
"0ne night, as I was about to leave th'
deserted house, the feeling came upon me
that it might be the last time l should
ever be able to command its treasures /;
walked through every room, and bad
farewell to familiar objects; they wer
nearer to me, and more endeared, than an
human creature.
"My prescience proved to be correct
The next morning, when l stole cautiousl.
to the spot. 1 observed signs of life abou
the house; persons whose faces coul'
not distinguish were moving through tn
rooms My reign was over.
81 retreated Immediately, and SO as no
to give my mother clue l passed the da,
-. = - ,,orf of tho forest
Upon my return to our hut my mothe
said she had news for me; the new lor'
would soon present himself ; his agents ant
servants were preparing the estate for HI
examination she had seen them, and has
spoken to them.
's' They are taking account OF every
II nAnrr- .arci