The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1890-10-18

punity before them, why longer restrain
their bitter hatred Summon your exc
cutiOners ! | shall be avenged! Bu
this know: that you already feel that il
perish, your own life is only O matter oil
a few hours, and that your children
stranglcd, according to the custom of oul
people. will quickly follow you: and
and Li-tien-Se. your daughter, the flower
of flowers will become the prey OF your
assassins.
"Ah, if you were but wise prince
Surprising, on the other hand that YOU
were at once to return to them, bearing
on your face the signs of mysterious and
all-powerful knowledge, surrounded BY
your body guard, and your hand upon my
shoulder: that seated on your throne. and
having with your own hand clothed me
in princes robes, you were to summon
the sweet Li-tien-Se-your daughter and
my bride--and that having formally be-
trothed us, you should order your State
Treasurer to count out to me the fifty
thousand golden hangs; 1 swear that, be.
holding this, all of your courtiers whose
daggers are now half-drawn against you,
would fall at your feet, trembling and
subdued. Never again. in all the future,
would they dare to harbor a single
treacherous thought. Think upon this!
You are known az one whom it is hard to
move, well vcrsed in Oriental lore and
mysteries. Surely then, it can be no
mere empty fable that, within a few mo.
ments' space, could change your whole
appearance into that of one who has
learned some sacred truth! Again, you
who are notorious for your cruelty, allow
me to live. You, whose cupidity is a
bye word, shower your gold upon me!
Your paternal love amounts to arrogance,
and yet, at word, you bestOw your
daughter upon me, an unknown, humble
stranger. What doubt could possibly
remain in your courtiers' minds? In
what should the value of secret message
sent from heaven consist, if not in the
belief of those around you that you alone
possess it l have kept my word; the
rest depends upon yourself. As to the
money and the dignity, 1 despise them
both. My demanding them was simply
to establish further proof amongst those
who know your character so well, of the
Incredible value of my imaginary secret.
Tche Tang, the Viceroy, !, Tse-i-la, bound
by your orders to this post and in the
presence of the Terrible Death, do now
exalt the glory and enlightenment of the
wise Li-tai-pe, my Master! l declare to
you, In all truth, the wisdom of the |
policy now dictate. Let us return to |
your court-your own face stern, but |
radiant. Publicly give thanks to heaven.
Threaten to be, for the future, without a
particle of pity. Order fetes and illnmi-
nations for the pleasure of the people
md in honor of FO Ito whom, indeed, l
owe the inspiration of this divine ruse). |
myself will depart tomorrow. In some
Instant province. thanks to your grant of
money, l shall live in perpetual happiness
With the chosen of my heart. The
button which would betoken nv
ank as mandarin, shall not take away.
Wy ambition lies not in that direction.
believe solely in harmonious thoughts
nd deep studies which outlast all princes
nd all dynasties; being king in their
Empire, why should | aspire to
'e prince in yours Are you not con-
inced that the gods have given me as
trong heart and as much intelligence
those who surround you possess am
lore acceptable then in the eyes of
Dung girl than one of your own digni-
irics. Ask Li-tien Sc, my beloved, if Il
o not speak the truth. When she looks
ITO my eyes, | dare swear what she will
~. As for yourself, o! Viceroy, YOU
Ill reign In peace, protected by this
lperstltion, and, moreover, should YOU
re tit to temper your rule with Justice,
ar will be changed into love for your
throne. In that is the
'cret of all kings and rulers worthy of
he name. l have none other to impart
} you. Ponder my words; choose and
inounce your choice. have spoken"
Tse-i-la was silent. {
Perfectly motiOnless, Tche-Tang ap-
cared for some moments to he lost In
cditation, his figure casting a dark {
ladow on the iron door. Presently he Q
tvanced towards the young man and {
ying hand on either shoulder gazed
archlngly into his eyes as if to read his '
Try soul, and as if himself overcome .
18th thousand indefinable sensations. I
At last, drawing his sword, he cut the T
onSs which bound Tse-i-la; then,
rowing his own royal collar about the
'uth's neck, he said: Come
Mounting the dungeon steps, he laid
hand upon the door beyond which 4
ere light and liberty. il
Dazed by his sudden fortune and the v
umph Of his love, Tse-i-Ia gazed at Il
e royal emblem. G.
What, This too 2" he murmured.
You have been slandered, vilcly Sian. 81
red! 1t Is worth more than the fortune , n
u have promised me. What does this 8
It mean. your Highness For what is t.