Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-12-20

ncf ilho great ItvtiHtIou.
"You read the letter you had never
sean, and look-it is too dark n sesp'
"Roxaner he cried, with a grea,
start.
"For Is years you've played this
part. the kind old friend who comes "a
laugh and chat. Ah, blind that was
| should have known, ] should have
felt your voice each time be spoke my
namev
"Roxape"' cried Cyrano again. past
all other speech.
"Those words Of fire and honey dew
ALI yours, all yoursl The voice that
thrilled my jasmine vine to ms-yours,
yours! Your soul, your soul in every.
thingr
Indeed, indeed it is not %, pro-
tested he. at was your husband"
"You loved me ~ cried Roxane.
81 loved you notr'
See how you falter"
"No, no, my dear! / swear ! never
loved you.
Your letter and your tears I've worn
above my heart-the letter every word
,f which was yours.
"But all the blood stains his"
"why did you keep such silence?
Why" begged Roxane.
CyIano hesitated, and while she look
ed to him for answer through the gates
there broke Ragusneau and lie Bret.
"Madman!" cried lie Bret. "Ab,
madame, pardon me, but he has court
ed dexth by coming here"
"True!" laughed Cyrano. 81 forgot.
The chronicle was never finished. Here
is IN item On Saturday ut dinner time
the assassination Of Ds Bergerac. Mark
you my bandages"
He took his hat off. and for the first
time Roxane saw the bandaged head.
Half wild, che begged for enlighten.
ment.
"All that l asked or hoped" said
Cyrano. "was but to die hero's death
IA point upon my lip. a point within
my heart. And see ] am struck down
by a fo0tman from the rear. Mocked
even in death There, Ragueneau! Why
weep you so: Come, comet What is It
you do now:'
IL trimmed the lights for Moliere's
STAGE" sobbed Ragueneau, "but I'll
do 81 no more but yesterday he brought
un 'Scapin and q whole scene was
yours-ths ono beginning Que diable
allait-il faire Ahi How they laugh
edv'
"That was life" said Cyrano. ITO
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. well |!
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. 'Tis justice, and here
upon my graves dim sill approve it.
Moliere's genius. Christians beauty"
Down the chapel alleyway the sis
ters. darkly seen through the afterglow.
walked. The chapel bell rang.
"Sisterv' cried Roxane. starting to-
ward them.
Nay pleaded Cyrano. do not go
for any one. When you came back, |
should be gone. Listen! The organ
plays
81 love you,'' cried Roxane Live,
live for me''
may" smiled Cyrano sadly. I'm
fairy tales alone do the i'll starred grow
beautiful when at the end the lady
says. Il love you' l. you see, AIN the
same up to the last y
81 made your misery. IL
"You made my happiness. l never
knew the sweetness Of woman's love.
Ny mother could not find me fair. |
never had sister. Later feared a mis-
tress would but mock at me. But have
had friend. Grace to you, woman's
robe has futtered in my life'
AZ loved but once" cried Roxane,
"yet twice | 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-
aical remembrance, "I'll make my lunar
trip with no proiectile's aid. There they
will send me for my paradise. More
than one soul have loved is there in
exile. shall find again -Galileo, Soc.
rates Come, come, you weep! LIE
Bret, you used to scold me. What! Ah,
yes! Cadets Of GascOny are there! Co
pernicus has said
"Oh," walled Roxane, Il cannot
bear it!'
"Mais que diable allait-il faire Ell
cette galireg" he raved on.
Philosopher physician, versifier and
musician. Made an aerial expedition
and many famous duels fought. Lover,
too-after q fashion. Here lies Hercule
Savinien de Cyrano de Bergerac--a bit
Of everything. yet naughtf
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. :"
81 swear it,"
His glazing eyes were fixed upon the
trees. He started to bis feet. They
rushed tn hold him, but he waved them
back.
"It comes," he said. 81 feel my feet
shod with marble, my hands gloved
heavily with lead. But not here, sitting
mo, standing, standing to the last, let
me meet him--s standing and sword in
handr' Ths 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, I know it. But no one fights for
mere success. No, no! 1t is more beau
tiful because it's fruitless Who are
you, there, you thousands? know You.
every one. All my old enemies. Ahy
Falsehood, therel Have at you! Have
at you!"-his sword was aimed at the
shadows. "And You. old Compromise?
And Prejudice and Tfeachery! See how
strike you! Treat with you? Never!
And you there, too. Folly, your l al
ways knew that at the end you'd throw
me to the earth. What matters it? l
fight, fight, / fight you etillP'
They watched him strike at his old
foes, the few who loved him, seeing
him moment by moment growing weak
er. He stopped, breathless. Then. after
o pause, he went on: