Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-06-04

us before he spoke.
"Newsl" l answered, brusquely, be-
Ing both tired and. as 7 had told him,
hungry. I'VE have heard none, and the
best you can give Us will be that out
supper is ready to be served"
But even this snub did not check his
eagerness to tell us the news. admiral
de Coligny," he said, breathlessly, you
have not heard what has happened to
him?"
ITO the admiral? No, what?" I in
quired, rapidly. I was interested at
last.
For moment let me digress. The
few Of my age will remember, and the
many younger will have been told,
that OF this time the italian queen
mother was the ruling power in
France. It WINS Catherine de Medici's
first object to maintain her influence
over Charles TX.-her son; who, rick
ETY., weak and passionate, was already
doomed to an early grave. Her second,
to support the royal power by balarc-
ing the extreme Catholics against the
Huguenots. For the latter purpose
she would coquette first with one party,
then with the other. At the present
moment she had committed herself
more deeply than was her wont to The
Hugueuots. Their leaders, Admiral
Gaspard de Coligny, the king Of M
varre and the prince Of Condo, were
supposed to be high In favor, while The
chiefs Of the other party, the duke Of
Guisc and the two cardinals of his
house, the cardinal OF Lorraine and the
cardinal Of Guise, were in disgrace;
which, as 1t seemed, even their friend
at court, the queens favorite son,
Henry Of Anjou, was unable to over
come.
Such was the outward aspect OF
things in August, 1872, but there were
not wanting rumors that already Co.
ligny, taking advantage Of the footing
given him, had gained an influence
over the young king, which threat
ened Catherine de Medici herself. The
admiral, therefore, to whom the Hu-
guenot half Of France had long LOOKED
as to its leader, was now the object Of
the closest interest to all; the Gujse
faction, hating him-as the alleged
assassin Of the duke Of Guise-with en-
intensity which probably was not to be
found in the affection Of his friends,
popular with the latter as he was.
Still, many who were not Huguenots
had regard for him as great French
man and gallant soldier. We
though we were Of the old faith, and
the other side-had heard much Of him,
and much good. The vicomte had
spoken Of him always as a great man,
man mistaken, but brave, honest and
capable in his error. Therefore it was
that when the landlord mentioned him,
! forgot even my hunger
HE was shot, my lords, as he passed
through the Rue des Posses, yester-
day." the man declared, with bated
breath. ut Is not known whether he
will live or die. Paris is in an upfcar,
and there are some who fear the
worst"
"But," l said, doubtfully, who has
dared 10 do this? He had safe con-
duct from the king himself"
Our host did not answer; Struggling
his houlders instead, he opened the
door and ushered us into the eating
room.
Some preparations for our meal had
already been made at one end of the
long board. At the other was seated a
man past middle age, richly but simply
dressed. His gray hair, cut short about
o massive head, and his grave, resolute
face, square-jawed and deeply-lincd,
marked him as one to whom respect
was due apart from his clothes. We
bowed to him as we took our seats.
He acknowledged the salute, fixing
us a moment with penetrating
glance; and then resumed his meal.
noticed that his sword and belt were
propped against o chair at bis elbow,
and dag, apparently loaded, lay close
to his hand by the candlestick. Two
lackeys waited behind his chair, wear
ing the badge we had remarked in the
inn yard.
We began to talk, speaking in low
tones that we might not disturb him
The attack on Coligny had, If true, its
bearing on our own business. For il a
Huguenot SO great and famous and en-
joying the kings special favor still
went In Paris in danger Of his life,
what must be the risk that such an one
as Pavannes ran? We had hoped tc
find the city quiet II instead it should
be in state Of turmoil Beers chances
were so much the better; and ours
and Kits, poor Kit's--so much the
worse.
Our companion had by this time An
ished his supper. But he still sat al
table, and seemed to be regarding us
with some curiosity. At length he