The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-04-06
"a IN. ranor This
dor ID
Aas pemSsrs0n'

he had heard of their pastime and had
come 10 witness its contamination.
And thus had the perpetration OF
crime SO terrible been brought about.
Nothing, not even religion, was held as
sacred in that year 1859 as the body of
the king. The Able knew full well
ths.b unless mercy were shown 10 him,
he might spend the remaining years OF
his life in the Bastile. Men had come
10 such punishment for mere words
but TO throw goblet of wine in his
Majesty's face! The very memory of
his offending compelled him to shudder
Ike one who was already doomed. The
Corsican officer had led him TO a bed
room now pretty room lighted by
many wax candles and furnished with
ell the taste characterizing q period so
tasteful. 1t was long apartment with
a cabinet giving off it--and the Abbe
observed in this smaller chamber q sup
per table decked prettily with lighted
candles and flowers. For this, however
he had no appreciating eyes. He felt
at the moment as though he could never
eat again. Foreboding, real and stern.
had set his nerves itching. lie began
TO question his conductor; hoping for
some little word OF comfort.
Monsieur" he said, with pitiableanx-
iety, IL beg you to tell me--whose house
is this and where does il lie?"
Readily" answered the young off
Ger. This Is the pavilion of Madame
Doublet de PERSIAN. The villagers call
it the House of the Scarlet Witch. l
regret, Monseigneur, that your first ac-
quaintance of il should be made so un-
propitiously. Saint Denis! who would
have thought that his Majesty was un-
known to your"
God help me-" answered. the Able,
II never saw him but once, Monsieur,
and then II was from bench in the
Place Louis Quinze. Oh, surely. he will
remember that!"
The Corsican shook his head, i'm
plying that he doubted.
MY Lord Bishop" said he. II am but
a very humble servant of his Majesty,
and heaven forbid that should antiri-
pate his decision. If you have friends,
however. let me beg of you to write TO
them. 1t is possible, should their in
tuence be not delayed, that you may
yet atone for this offense with a year in
the Bastne!"
"A year in the Bastile," murmured the
Able, "a year---the Saints help me--a
year for moments loss of temper! Oh,
mon Dieu, will you not plead for me,
Monsieur? am no Lord Bishop, but
only poor cure who is friendless and
helpless as you see. conjure you. Of
your charity be u friend TO me"
what" cried the soldier, with won
drous assumption OF surprise, "you tell
me, my Lord, that you are not the
Bishop OF Blois? Oh. surely, this nights
work has robbed you of your memory.
Think little. and you will recall the
circumstances. How to-day you were
riding TO Paris upon business of your
diocese when you fall into the hands Of
Madame Doublet de Persan's merry
fellows who bring you to this house TO
supper. The king, learning of the jest,
is driven over from the palace to enjoy
IL, when you, losing your temper, throw
goblet of wine into his Ma Jcsty's face,
and SO become my prisoner until your
sentence Is delivered. Iexhort you. my
Lord. hide none of these things from
yourself. but send at once to your
friends and conjurs them to intercedc
for you"
There was wondrous air of honesty
about the Corsican's tale; and although
the Able was more perplexed than
ever when the soldier had done, he de-
termined TO trust him, and to make a
last effort to help himself. Indeed, u