The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-03-22
Eyes, Henry" said the other.

old woman learned from their CONVERSE
ton they belonged to n numerous party
of huntsmen led by King Charles TX.
and which the storm had dispersed.
"Old woman" said the second conner,
'hast thou not something more to give
ug?"
Nothing" replied she.
"Then," said he, 1--WE will divide
this"
The Grst Henry made very wry face,
but observing the resolute eye and
sinewry presence of tho other said in n
voice OF chagrin, divide it, them and
there was behind the words this thought,
which he did not venture to express:
divide, but deal fairly"
They seated themse opposite each
other, and already one had cut the
bread with his dagger when the third
knock was heard ut tho door. The rem
confer was singular; this was another
young man, another nobleman, another
Henry The old woman looked on in
grim surprise. The first wished to CON
ceal the bread and cheese, the second re-
placed it on the table and laid his sword
beside it; tho third Henry smiled.
"You do not wish then," said he, "to
huaro your supper WIFI he. uiu very
tired and quite hungry"
1.-The supper by rights belongs to the
first conner" said the first Henry.
"Tho supper" said the second, "be-
longs to tho one who can best defend it,"
The third Henry colored with anger
aud said ferccly:
Perhaps it belongs to the one who
conquered it,.
These words were hardly spoken when
the first Henry drew his poignard, the
other two their swords. As they were
about to come to blows fourth knock
was heard and tho fourth young mana
fourth nobleman--a fonrth Henry-was
introduced. At the sight of the drawn
swords he drew his own, placed himself
on the side of the most feeble and at
tackled with force. The old woman in
dismay concealed herself, for the clashing
swords seemed determined to strike
whatever came within their reach. Soon
the lamp fell, went out and each struck
in the dark. The noise of the swords
lasted some time, gradually subsidized,
and finally ceased altogether. Then the
old woman veGtured to leave her hiding
place, relit the lamp and saw tho four
young men stretched on the floor, each
wounded. She examined Them fatigue.
rather than loss of blood, had suspended
animosities. and raising themselves. one
after the other. shamed of having fought
over 50 tritling matter, they laughed
and the first Henry said, Come, let us
renew good feeling by partaking of this
supper together" But when they looked
the supper it was found on the floor
I 1,l A,1 nj 4,
blood. which, simple as it was, they re
GREETED.
CHANGING to the other side of the cabin,
they found everything bore the marks of
their violence, and the old woman, seated
in one corner, fixed her reddish-colored
eyes upon them.
"Why do you look at us thus fixedly?''
sail the first Henry whom this glance
troubled.
Il sec your destinies written on your
foreheais, she replied.
The second Henry rudely commanded
her TO reveal to them what she saw,
while the others only laughed. She
answered. AS You are all united in
this cabin. so you will all be united in
the same destiny; as you have trampled
under foot. and mixed with blood the
bread tina; hospitality offered you, SO
you will trampls under foot and mix
with blood the power you will share; as
YOU have devastated aud impoverished
this cabin. so you will devastate and i'm
poverish France: as you have all four
been wounded in the dark. so you will
all four perish by treason and violent
death"
The four young noblemen laughed de-
risively at This prediction as they flung
her some gold and prepared to leave the
cabin. but the seqnel testified to her
prophetic power. These four mobiles
were the heroes of the league. two rs its
chiefs. and two as it's enemies.
Henry of Condo, poisoned by his ser
wants.
Henry Of Guise, assassinated by the
Foriy.h Ave.
Henry of Valois. Henry I'LL, assassin
ated by Jaques Clement.
Henry OF Bourbon, Henry ~, assas'
sinsiei by Ravaillac.
III