Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1894-12-02
Marguerite dc Eaudreuil.
A TALE or FRANCE


dc Paris was prepared for deadly con-
nlct. The TIT yard was regular, oolons
space. enclosed with stout squared pali-
sades and galleries for the accommodation
Of spectators Immediately In the vicinity
OF the royal residence OF the Tournelles,
splendid Gothic structure, adorned with all
the rare and fanciful devices OF that rich
style OF nrehiteciure-a, 4 short distance
thence arose the tall gray towers OF Metre
Dame, the bells Of which were tolling min
uiely the dlrge for passing soul. From
one OF the windows OF the palace gallery
had been contributed. hung with rich Grim
son tapestry, leading to a long range o
seats, cushioned and deckod with arras
and guarded by strong party Of gentle
men in the royal livery with partlsans in
their hands and sword and dagger at tho
beit-at each end OF the list was tent
pitched.
AZ the right OF tho royal gallery was
plain marquee OF canvas OF small size,
which had apparently seen much. service
and been'useh fn real warfare. The curtain
| which formed the door u this was lowered.
80 that lao part OF the Interior could be
seen from without. but paru-colore1
pennon was pitched into the ground be-
side II, and shield hung from the pail
sades. emblozoned with bearings which all
men knew to be those OF Charles Baron
de Ia Hire, a renowned soldier in the late
Italian wars. and the challenger IN the
present conflict.
The pavilion at the left. or lower end,
was OF u widely different klnd-of the very
largest sort then IN use. completely framed
OF crimson cloth lined with white SILK. fes-
TONED aud frlnged with gold and all the
curtains Topped up to display a range OF
massive tables covered with snow white
damask and loaded with 200 covers OF pure
sllver Vases OF flowers aud TASKS Of
sryHtal were intermixed upon the board
with tankard. fagons. and cups and urns
OF gold. embossed and jeweled-and be-
nina every seat page was placed clad
IN the colors OF the Count de Laguy. a
sllken curtain concealed the entrance Of
the Inner tent. wherein the Count awaited
the signal that should call him to the.
lists.
Strange as such an accompaniment would
be considered nowadays to solemn mortal
conflict, It was then doomed neither singu-
lar nor nonstrous, and In this gay pavilion
Armand lie Laguy the challenged in the
coming duel. had summoned all the mobiles
OF the court to feast with him after he
should have slain. so confident was he
OF victory, his cousin and accuser, Charles
Baron de la Hire, The entrances of the
TIT yard were guarded by a detachment
OF the Kings sergeants. shaathed cap-a-
pie Ia steel. with shoulderrd arquebuses and
matches ready lghted-the lists were
strewn with sawdust and hung completely
with black serge. save where the royal
gallery afforded a strange contrast by Its
rich decorations to the CHASTITY draperles
OF the battle-ground.
One other object only remains to be
noticed: It was a huge block OF black oak.
dented In many places as II by the edge OF
a sharp weapon and stained with FLASHES
OF dark gore. Beside this frlghtful en-
blem stood tall muscular gray-headed
man. dressed In leathern frock and apron
stained like the block with many a govt of
blood. bare-headed end bare-armed, lean
ing upon a huge two-handled AK with a
blade OF three feet Ia breadth. A little
way alonf from these was placed chair
wherein a monk was seated, very aged
man with bald head and beard as white
as snow, telling his beads In silence until
his ministry should be required.
The space around the lists and all the
seats were crowded well nigh TO suffoca-
ton by thousands OF anxious and attentive
spectators; and many an eye was turned to
watch the royal seats, which were vet
vacant, but which. n was well known,
wculu be occupied before tho trumpet
should sound for the onset,
The sun was now nearly at the meridian.
md tho expectation OF the crowd was at it's
height. whom the passing bell ceased ring
Ing and was Immediately succeeded by the
accustomed peal announcing the hour OF
high noon. Within a moment or two a
hustle was observed among the gentlemen
pensioners, Then a page or two entered
the royal seats and after looking about
them for q moment or two. again retired
Another pause Of profound expectation,
and then a long loud blast Of trumpets fol-
lowed from the interior Of the royal resi-
| dencc. Nearer Il rang, and nearer. until
the loud symphonies filled every car and
| thrilled to the corc OF every heart. and then
the King. the dlgniied and noble Henry
entered with all his glIttoring court. princes
and dukes and peers and ladies OF high
birth and matchless beauty and took their
seats among the laundering acclamations
| o, tho people to witness the dread scene
that was about to follow. of wounds and
| blood and hutchery.
All were arrayod in the most gorgeous
| splendur all except one--a girl OF charms
nrlvRled-although she seemed plunged in
the deepest agony OF grief by the seductiya
| beauties OF tho gayest Her bright. re-
dundant auburn hair was all dlsheycled
| her long dark eyelashes were penciled Ia
] distinct relief against the marble pallor Of
| her colorlcss cheek; her rich. rounded
| form waa yelled but not concealed, By a
] dTcw OF the coarsest serge. black as the
robes OF night and thereby contrasting
mora the exquisite fairness OF her COM
pleNion On her all eyes were hxed-some
with disgust, some with contempt. others
Il