The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1898-11-23

serade, and here are little puffs-six Of
them, done up In poem by st. Armant
and here are hot cakes. Go. beg,
and eat them and come not back until
the last crumb Is eaten"
Laden with her sweet spoils, the du-
emma withdrew.
"And now, /" said he, turning to Rox-
ane and unoovering, II bless the hour
when you remembered that l lived.
You come to tell me-
''That l thank You first Of all. Your
brave blade yesterday at the play amote
down the man great lord seeks to
make my husband
"Aye-husband la mode, - said Cy-
rano. II thank my destiny that I
fought not for my ugliness alone, but
for your beauty also"
"And-more than that have to say.
But be again my cousin Of old days.
Play we were once again two children
frolicking at Bergerac. So shall speak
with better grace and surer courage.
Your sword was then of reeds, aud all
I babe you do You did,"
faye. for my cousin Madeline that
now Roxane the beauty
"Was fair then?''
''Not altogether i'll to sea-
Remember you bow all your
scratches I would bind, but scold you,
motherwise. at first? Give me your hand
so, now. What. oousinl Here'sa scratch
indeed! When got you that?''
Cyrano tugged his hand away.
IA game last night, he answered.
"Igot It playing at the Porte de Nesle. -
"Now will bind your wounds again
az in the old days there at Bergerao.
With my own kerchief, see, I wipe
away the blood. How many fought
your"
"Oh, a hundred!''
''Tell me true. You jest with me. I"
"Nay, what Of that? Tell you what
is the other thing you came to speak to
me-
''Draw not your hand away, dear
cousin. Be but the Cyrano I knew long
since in Bergerao and I am bold to
speak. Bend low and listen. IL love. I"
"Ahp breathed Oyrano.
"And he-knows not-guesses not -
The room swan before Cyrano's eyes,
He held his breath.
HE knows not yet, but soon he shall
learn it. Bend lower. Listen. He-has
loved me from afar. I saw. He dares
not speak.
There was cloud of rose and anne
thyst before Cyrano's dazzled eyes. He
scarce could bear his happiness-his
hand in hers, her words in his ear, her
whisper on his cheek.
DRAW not your hand away. dear
cousin. Hear me still. He-a chance
he is Of your 1egiment-cadet of your
own companyP'
1t was as though she rained spirit
kisses ON his lips. He half tainted with
ecstasy.
"His BROW" she went on-"his brow
bears genius stamp. He is noble, proud,
valorous- fair
"Fair" cried Cyrano, sphnging to
his feet.
In a copper pan his face was reflected
-misshapen. Cyrano had awakened
from his dream.
"Why, cousin, what is it? What ails
you?' begged Roxane.
"The-soratch-your hands bad dress
ed, my gentle cousin. It stung again, !"
he smiled. But-tell me now his name.
How can serve your
HE is Baron, Christian de Neuvil.
lette. This day he joins the guards. I
know he loves me. Eyes are eloquent
aye, and gossips, too
"But you, my cousin, bow know you
that you love him? You delight in wit.
Suppose his wit were slow? You love
fancy. What were his fancy dull?''
ut fs not. I know it is notv' cried
Roxane, stamping her foot. Cyrano
paused
"How may serve you?'' he asked.
Cousin, he joins your Gascon regi-
ment, and I hear that you provoke all
but pure Gasoons who are admitted
there. I trembled for him-till I saw
you-invincible, all oonquering. Then
said I, If my cousin would -
II will befriend your little baron, !"
said Oyrano, the sou Of generosity.
"You promise you'll do this for me?
You'll be his friend? You'll let him
fight no dnels? They'll put no affront
upon your protege?"
II swear" said Cyrano
Roxane paused. She took her veil,
her mask.
1--WE always held my cousin tender
w." she said. '.How good you. are!''...
She blew him kiss airily from her
finger tips.
Tell me Of last nights frayY' she
pressed him politely. IA hundred men,
you said? You'll bid my Christian write?
What odds against you, bravest COZ?
Another time you'll tell me all. How
we'll you fought, how well!''
II have fought better since, - he ran
swered and bowed low to let her pass.
Roxane did notrcatch his meaning. :
When she, veiled and masked again,
had glided from the pastry cooks, .Cy-
rano stood erect and stiff. Sorrow g shaft
had transfxed him where he stood. He
was blind and deaf to all about him for
few seconds Then door flung open.
Pellmell a crowd rushed in.