The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1898-12-07

allait-il faire.' All! How they laugh
edr'
"That was life," said Cyrano "To
be the one who prompted them and
whom they all forget. Roxane, do you
recall the night when Christian talked
to you beneath your balcony? All. we'll!
That was the story Of my whole life
there. While stood low, deep In the
shadow, the others climbed to snatch
the kiss Of glory. IT'S Justice, and here
upon my graves dim sill approve 1t.
Moliere's genius, Christians beauty
Down the chapel alleyway the sis
tiers, darkly seen through the aftergIow.
walked. The chapel bell rang.
''Sister!" cried Roxane, starting to-
ward them.
"Nay!" pleaded Cyrano. ''Do not go
for any one. When you came back. I
should be gone. Listen! The organ
playsr"
II love youl" cried Roxane. Live,
live for mei''
"Nay!" smiled Cyrano sadly. elm
fairy tales alone do the i'll starred grow
beautiful when at the end the lady
says, 4 love your I, you see, am the
same up to the lastl''
II made your misery. I-I"-
"You made my happiness. I never
knew the sweetness Of woman g love.
My mother could not find me fair. I
never had q sister. Later feared a mis-
tress would but mock at me. But have
had a friend. Grace to you, a woman's
robe has f1uttered in my hfep'
II loved but once" cried Roxane,
''yet twice I must lose my love!''
The moon came up through the
branches. Cyrano looked at it, but Rox-
ane looked on him.
Tonight, he smiled with .whim.
steal remembrance, "I'll make my lunar
trip with no projectile's aid. There they
will send me for my paradise. More
than one soul I have loved is there in
exile. shall find again-Galileo, Soc
rates Come. come, you weepi LIE
Bret, you used to scold me. What? All,
yes! Cadets of Gascony are therei Co
pernicus has said"-
"Oh," walled Roxane. II cannot
bear it!''
"Mais que diable allait-il faire en-
cette galire?" he raved ON.
philosopher, physician, versi6er and
musician. Made an aerial expedition
and many famous duels fought. Lover.
too-after fashion. Here lies Hercule
Savinien de Cyrano de Bergerao-a bit
Of everything. yet naught!"
He fell exhausted in his chair. He
raised his eyes to Roxane and seemed
again himself.
'Be not less faithful to his memory, -
he said, ".but wear your weeds for two. -
II swear it,"
His glazing eyes were fixed upon the
trees. He started to his feet. They
rushed to hold him, but he waved them
back.
''It comes" he said. II feel my feet
shod with marble, my hands gloved
heavily with lead. But not here, sitting
no, standing, standing to the last, let
me meet Understanding and sword in
hand - The old soldier raised his
weapon defiantly.
"Cyrano!' cried Roxane, half faint
ing. But he did not hear her. His eyes
were still fixed straight ahead.
"He looks upon my nose! The impu-
dent! What's that you say? It's useless:
Alb, know it. But no one fights for
mere success. No, no! It is more beau
tiful because it's fruitless Who are
you, there, you thousands? know you.
every one. All my old enemies. All,
Falsehood. therei Have at you! Have
at you!"-his sword was aimed at the
shadows. "And you, old Compromise!
And Prejudice and Treacheryi See how
I strike you! Treat with you? Never
And you there, too, Folly. you? l al
ways knew that at the end you'd throw
me to the earth. What matters it? ]
fight, I fight, fight you still!'
They watched him strike at his old
foes, the few who loved him, seeing
him moment by moment growing weak.
er. He stopped, breathlees. Then, after
pause, he went on:
"Yes, you have snatched from me
the laurel and the rose. Take all In
spite of you there is one thing. one
thing, bear. and when tonight enter
into heaven and make obeisance at the
threshold, one thing without a crease
without stain-I bear away with me
in spite of you. /"
In the moonlight they strained their
eyes to see him. They listened, holding
their breath for the last word.
"And that-and THAR" whispered
Roxane.
He fell back into LIE Bret s outstretch-
ed arms. His sword falls from his hand.
But through the blue and silver Of the
| night she saw his smile She bent over
him. She kissed his forehead. She
whispered once again:
! "And that?''
"And that" he answered, smiling
into her eyes, ''is my soldiers plume.
unstained.
| THE END.