The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-06-29
A DAUPHIN'S DEATH.


A DAUPHIN'S DEATH.
The little dauphin IL Ill; Tho little dau-
phin IL dying. In all the churches Of the
kingdom the holy sacrament remains OK
posed night and day and great tapers burn
for tho recovery Of the royal child. The
streets Of the old capital are sad and silent;
the bells ring no more; the carriages
slaoksn their pace. In the neighborhood
Of the castle the curious townspeople gaze
through the railing opon tho beadlss with
Rildsd paunches who converse In the courts
and put IN important airs.
All the castle Ia in q flutter. Chamber
lains and major-domos run up and down
the marble stairways. Tho galleries are
full Of pages and oourtiers In stlksn ap-
psrel, who hurry from n group to n
other, begging in low tones for nsws.
Upon the wide perrons the maids Of honor,
in tears, exchange low courtesies and wipe
their eyes with dsintily embroidered hand
kerchisfs.
A large assembly of robed physicians has
gathered in the orangsry. They can be
seen through the panes waving their long,
black sleeves and inclining their periwigs
with professional gestures. The governor
and the equerry of the little dauphin walk
up and down before the door awaiting tho
decision Of the family. Solutions pass by
like a pagan. The governor quotes verses
from Horace.
And meanwhile, over there in the di,eo-
ton of the stables. 10 heard . long and
plaintive neighine; it 10 the little dauphin's
sorrel, forgotten by the hostlers, n call
s-. uo1Ir kafo,o hiu onnkv manuNr-
And the king? Where 10 hie highness thu
kino? The king has locked himself up in a
room at the other end OF the castle. Aajes-
ties do not like to be seen weeping. For
the queen it is different. Sitting by the
bedside of the little dauphin. she bows her
loudly before everybody. like . mere dra-
In the bed embroidered with lace the
little dauphin, whittier than the pillows on
which hs is extended, lies with closed eyes.
They think that he is asleep, but no, the
little dauphin 10 not asleep. He turns to-
ward his mother, and seeing her tears, he
MADAME la Refine, why do you weep2
Pc y you really believe that | am going to
The queen tries to answer. sobs prevent
nor %b 5t'n not sp weep, Madam. l. R.in.. You
forget that I am the dauphin, and that dau-
phins cannot die thus"
The queen sobs more violently and the lit
tie dauphin begins to feel frightened.
":Holloa.'' says he. II do not want death
to come and take me away, and I know how
to prevent him from coming here. Order
mp on the spot forty of the strongest lans.
quenets to keep the guard around our bed!
Have q hundred big canoes watch day and
And WOO to death if he darss to come near
us!" In order to humor the royal child the
queen makes q sign. On the spot the great
n are heard rolling in the courts, and
for tall lansquenets with halberds in their
fists, draw up around the room. They are
little dauphin clasps his hands on seeing
them. He recognizes n and calls:
"Lorrain! Lorrain"
The veteran makes . step towards the
Il love You we'll, my old Lorrain. Let
fetch mo you viii xiii him, WON'T your"
Lorrain Eyes, monseigneur."
And two great tears rolled down his tanned
cheeks.
At that moment the chaplain approaches
the little dauphin, and pointing to the o.u-
dauphin listens with %astonished air; then
suddenly intsrrupting him: "."
II understand we'll. what you are saying,
Monsieur Fable. but still ,oouldn't nv littls
friend beppo die IN my place, IT ! gave Iii
plenty of money!"
The chaplain continues to talk to him in
low tones and the little dauphin looks more
and moro astonished.
When the chaplain has finished the little
dauphin resumes. with a heavy sigh:
What you have said is all very we'll,
Monsieur rAbbe; but one thing consoles
me-. and that il that up thers, in the para
disc of the sta's, I shall still be the dau-
phin. / know that the good God ia my
cousin, and cannot fail to treat me accoid-
ing to my rank"
Then he adds, turning to his mother:
Bring me my sairest clothes. my doublet
OF white ermine. and my pumps of velvet!
enter into paradise In the dress of a dau.
phin."
A third time the chaplain bends over the
little dauphin and talks to him in low tones.
In the midst of his discourse the royal child
interrupts him anRrily:
why, then" he cries, ITO be dauphin is
nothing at all"
And. refu6inR to listen to anything more.
Che little dsuphin turns toward the wall
0nd weeps bitterly. -AlDhonse Daudet.