Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-07-12
LOUIS AND LOUISE.

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and melancholy German ballad and car
ried basket Of white roses. From time Z
time the girl would turn and look back
ward When she reached the door of tn,
house, the door opened, and tall old mar
welcomed her with his tenderest smile
They crossed the great arohed hallway
half destroyed by tircs and neglect, and
reached a miniature fruit garden planted
with choice shrubs. Suddenly the sound
OF bell stroke reached their ears. They
trembled, while the old man exclaimedi
who can come at such al houri"
He entered the dilapidated mansion, par
leyed for few moments behind the door
| with his visitors. then opened IL, making
at the same time the profoundest saluta-
tion, and introduced young man followed
| by lackeys and arraysd In the most elegant
| costume Of the court OF Louis XIV.
"You consent, then, TO offer me your hos
bitality, my good man" said he.
"Willingly, your highness. IL will be
bnly too much honor for me-"
"And where am II"
sin the chateau Of Frauberg, belonging
10 the Baron Of Frauberg. and ! am his
steward"
"Ah, very goodi And this pretty child
is your daughterf" added he, perceiving
Louise, who had just entered.
'Yes, your highness."
The stranger could not withdraw his eyes
from that heavenly countenance blushing
with modesty and apprehension, her flow
ers strewn about her.
"Since you have been so willing 20 re-
ceive me-" added the unknown after mo
ment's silence, II will ask your aid. A
league hence | was wounded and thrown
from my horse and have reached this place
with great difficulty"
The father and daughter conducted him
10 a comfortable though poorly furnished
chamber. where they dressed his wounds
and provided for his wants with the great
est care.
A few days elapsed. Louis-so the stran-
ger called himself-only left the apartment
that II might be put In order. There he
passed his time In conversing with Louise
and listening as she sang her native airs
and narrated the legends of her native land,
but, above all, in admiring her as be
watched the crown Of snow white roses that
surmounted her brow. She wore 1t every
day; he had besought It SO earnestly.
Seated at her toilet In magnificent salon
at Versailles, the Marchioness de Montespau
was listening to the batteries OF the swarm
of courtiers always eager to do her homage
IL was a reception night at court, and Mime.
de Montespau had appeared with her hair
decorated with pearls and adorned with
crown OF white roses.
The Duke OF Longueville was announced.
The beautiful Montespau addressed him
one Of those looks which had melted the
great Louis and asked II his outfit was
ready and he would soon be on his way,
adding few questions suggested by polite
ness and interest which she could not deny
the nephew Of the prince The responses
Of the young duke were very measured.
Every one was speculating on the depar-
ture of the king and his followers. No one,
excepting perhaps the favorite. knew the
plan of the campaign. Some talked of the
Jasel, others Of the Rhine. and others again
Of the siege Of Maestricht.
Where are we going" they all inquired.
docs your highness knowp
Nay" responded the young prince my
uncle shrewdly keeps his own counsels."
But; SIR" added Mime. de Montespau,
"you know the country. Did you not visit
it two years since during that Journey
from which you returned SO sad and suffer
ingt"
The prince did not answer His eyes were
fastened on the crown Of roses. He saw
again little chambe In an old stone man
sion; he saw again the features of an angel
these same white flowers And
he contemplated those same angel features
bedewed with tears and looking up with
locks disordered from his knees, at which
they plead despairingly:
Louis, you are leaving me When shall
l see you sgainp
His lips had responded, "Soonp' His con-
science had said, "Neverl' And from that
day his soul had been filled with remorse.
Nine. de Montespau smiled at that rev.
erie.
"You are very serious, very distracted,
duke" she observed. You are apparently
engrossed with your future"
may, madame. with reminiscence-"
On the I'd Of June, 1872, the river we be-
held 80 calm at the opening Of this sketch
became the witness of bloody battle. The
Prince de Conde at the head Of his trium.
phant army had crossed the stream.
In q convent of the Sisters Of Mercy, sit
uated on the banks of the Rhine near the
scene Of battle, they were already preparing
the infrmaries for the wounded
The noise and excitement Of battle had
given place to the quiet OF the evening.
When the bark containing the sisters
neared the opposite shore, a man covered
with blood and dust, who had been stand
ing near younger man beside figure re-
spectfully covered with cloak, advanced TO
meet them.
Sisters" he said, will you receive into
your convent the Prince de Conde and the
Duke de Bourbon, with the body Of the
Duke de Longueville, this morning killed
while combating at our sidep
The abbess bowed before the warrior and
assented to his request. BY her order the
noble and sad charge was subsequently de-
posted in the bark.
"Sister Louise" added she, turning to
pne OF thenovices, conduct their hignesses
70 the chapel and pray for the young prince
whom God has recalled to his presence"
The Prince de Conde seated himself with
bis companion and q few officers at one end
Of the boat. The corpse was deposited at
the other extremity, and the young sister
kneeled beside It. They were alone. An
irresistible desire seized her to look upon
the prince. She raised the cloak a trife and
recognized the features
my Godp' cried she, falling forward al
most inanimate. ut Is he"
And the waters of the stream glided beau
tiful and limpid as In the hour of love and
10y. The imperial banner still foated above
the fortress of R., and nothing had
changed In this delightful country-noth-
/ Il Al. -. a