Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-05-27
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CHAPTER XII.
JOY IN THE MORNING.

L was TOO weary WITH TlOluS 10 go en-
tirely without sleep. And moreover it
is anxiety and the tremor of excitement
which makes the pillow sleepless, not,
Heaven be thanked, sorrow. God made
man to lie awake and hope; but never
to lie awake and grieve. An hour or two
before daybreak I fell asleep, utterly
worn out. When 1 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 / lay awhile, my cheek
on my hand, drinking in the cheerful
influence as 1 had done many and many
day in our room at Caylus. twas the
touch of Marie's hand, aid timidly on
my arm, which reused me- with a shock
to consciousness. The truth broke upon
me. l remembered where VIC were,
and what was before us. "Will you get
up, Anne?" Croisette said. "The vi
dame has sent for u.s."
got to my feet, and buckled on my
sword. Croisette was leaning against
the wall, pale and downcast. Bure
TILED the open doorway, his feathered
cap in his hand. queer smile on his
face. "You are good sleeper, young
gentleman he said. you should have
good conscience"
Better than yours, no doubt" 1
retorted. ''or your Masters
He 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 fight of
stone steps leading upwards seemed to
promise something better; and true
enough, the door at the top being
opened. the murmur of a 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 rush-eovered floor. The
room was large, set here and there with
stands of arms, and had dais with
raised carved chair at one end. The
ceiling was of blue, with gold stars
set about it. Seeing this, remembered
the place. 1 had been in it once. years
ago. when 1 had attended the vicomte
on state visit to the governor. All!
that the vicomte were here nowi
| advanced to the middle window.
which was open. Then l started back.
for outside was the scaffold built level
with the floor, and rush-covered like
it. Two or three people were lounging
on it. My eyes sought Louis among
the group, but in vain. He was not
there; and while l looked for him |
heard a 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 a 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 lie 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 Bure's salu-
tation with dignity and good temper,
Croisette sprang towards him impul
siveiy. 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 if by haste. wearing a
scowl. Then he saw us. and. nodding
haughtily, strobe up the floor. his spurs
clinking heavily on the boards. He
gave us no greeting. but by 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-
pally at his rival: and looked. and
looked with eyes of smoldering hate.
And there was a silence. long silence.
while the murmur of the crowd came
almost cheerfully through the window,
and the sparrows under the caves
chirped and twittered. and the heart
that throbbed least painfully was. |
do believe, Louis de Pavannes'i
At last Beers broke the silence.
IN. de Payannes!" he began. speak
ing hoarsely. yet conceaiing all passion
under a cynical smile and a mock POI
likeness. m. de Pavannes. i hold the
kings commission to put 10 death all
the Huguenots within my province of
Ouercy Have you anything to say. |
beg. why | should not begin with you
Or do you wish to return to the
church -
Louis shrugged his shoulders as in
contempt. and held his peace. saw
his captor's great hands witch con-
yulsively at this. but still the vidame
mastered himself. and when he spoke
again he spoke slowly Very well.
he continued. taking no heed of u.s. the
silent witnesses of this strange strug-