Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-10-01
CHAPTER XII.
JOY IN THE MORNING.

was too weary with riding to go en-
tirely without sleep. And moreover it
is anxiety and the tremor Of excitement
which makes the pillow sIeepless, not,
Heaven be thanked, sorrow. God made
man to lie awake and hope; but never
10 lie awake and grieve. An hour or two
before daybreak I fell asleep, utterly
worn out. When l awoke, the sun was
high, and shining slantwise on our win
dow. The room was gay with the morn
ing rays, and soft with the morning
freshness, and l lay awhile, my cheek
on my hand, drinking in the cheerful
influence as had done many and many
a day in our room at Caylus. twas the
touch Of Marie's hand, laid timidly on
my arm. which reused me with shock
TO consciousness. The truth broke upon
me. | remembered where we were,
and what was before us. will you get
up, Anne?" Croisette said. 1.-THE vi
dame has sent for us"
l got to my feet, and buckled on my
sword. Croisette was leaning against
the wall, pale and downcast. Bure
filled the open doorway. his feathered
cap in his hand. queer smile on his
face. "You are a good sleeper. young
gentleman" he said. "You should have
good conscience"
Better than yours, no doubt" |
retorted, "or your masters"
lie shrugged his shoulders. and. bid
ding us by sign to follow him. led
the way through several gloomy pas
sages. At the end of these. a eight Of
stone step. leading upwards seemed to
promise something better: and true
enough, the door at the top being
opened. the mllrmur of II crowd reached
our ears, with burst of sunlight and
warmth. We were in lofty room
with walls in some places painted, and
elsewhere hung with tapestry; well
lighted by three old pointed windows
reaching to the Undiscovered floor. The
room was large, set here and there with
stands of arms, and had a dais with a
raised carved chair at one end. The
ceiling was of blue, with gold stars
set about it. Seeing this, Remembered
the place. l had been in 1t once, years
ago, when / had attended the vicomte
on a state visit to the governor. Ali
that the vicomte were here now!
advanced to the middle window,
which was open. Then started back,
for outside was the scaffold built level
with the floor, and rush-covered like
II! Two or three people were lounging
on it. My eyes sought Louis among
the group, but in vain. He was not
there and while | looked for him ]
heard noise behind me, and he came
in, guarded by four soldiers with pixies.
His face was pale and grave, but per-
fectly composed. There was wistful
look in his eyes indeed, as If he were
thinking of something or some one far
away-Kit's face on the sunny hills of
Quercy. where he had ridden with her.
perhaps; look which seemed to say
that the doings here were nothing to
him, and the parting was yonder where
she was. But his bearing was calm and
collected, his step firm and fearless.
When he saw us, indeed his face light
cned moment and he greeted us cheer
fully. even acknowledged Bures salu-
tation with dignity and good temper.
Croisette sprang towards him impul-
sively, and cried his name-Croisette
ever the first to speak. But before
Louis could grasp his hand, the door
at the bottom Of the hall swung open,
and the vidame came hurriedly In.
He was alone. He glanced around.
his forbidding face, which was some
what flushed as il by haste, wearing a
scowl. Then he saw us, and, nodding
haughtily, strobe up the floor, his spurs
clinking heavily on the boards. He
gaveusnogreeting, but by a short word
dismissed Bure and the soldiers to the
lower end of the room. And then he
stood and looked at us four, but princi-