The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1898-11-30

that once thrilled through her veins
Upon her bosom always lay the letter
they found upon him there at Arras-
the letter he had meant to send Roxane,
Q blood stained, tear stained missive.
She was not unhappy in the still con.
vent and in the great park that sur,
rounded It. At first De Guiche came Of.
ten to her, but the great nobleman grew
buster as years went by, and his calls
upon her were less frequent But Cy.
rano never failed her. Week after week,
year after year, the same hour Of the
same day brought him to her, still the
poet, the philosopher; still the warrior,
fighting shams and wrongs with naked
blade and knowing not the uses of di.
plomaoy; always at heart the lover d
Roxane, always in manner her faithful
friend andalways the light hearted Jest.
er Of the old days, ready for prank On
joke.
The good sisters liked him more than
passing we'll. They liked the gossip Of
the court with which he Frightened
Roxane's days. They liked, sweet SOULS
his teasing Of their piety.
One quiet autumnal day 10 years aft
er the day when the white scarf Of De
Guiche had babe the Spanish attack at
AEras, Roxane sat waiting for her friend.
The leaves were falling. the chestnut
trees about the chapel were already
golden tinted and the quiet sadness Of
autumn was in the air. Under the trees
in the park Of the Sisters Of the Holy
Cross, Roxane had been receiving some
what that afternoon. De Guiche had
called upon her-changed, bent with
weight Of many honors. LIE Bret had
been there telling her Of Cyrano's i'm
pudences.
"True," she said, che has never
taught his tongue to wait upon his In
terests He makes fresh enemies,
know. But still his sword is long. He
holds his foes In check"
LIE Bret had shaken his head dubious
~. Then he had said: II fear for him
not simply an attack, but loneliness and
hunger and the cold within his dreary
chamber. He Is poor, madame He has
but one shabby suit of serge" '.@'
"Ah, said the duke bitterly, remem-
bering his own stif1ed conscience and
starved soul, che Is not to be pitied!''
1.-THE lord marshal Of France may
we'll make little Of the trifling disoom-
forts Of my friend" LIE Bret answered.
II know that have all and he has
nothing, said De Guiche, 'but I'd be
proud 10 take his hand-I envy him.
When life seems most successful, though
one has won success by no foul means,
even then there Is q vague unrest. It's
not remmse; It's disillusion. All, the
ermined mantle Of the duke rustles as
IL moves with sound Of lost hopes and
vain regrets, as woman 3 gown sweeps
dead leaves in It's folds. = - Cyrano's
happier"
"You are pensive," said Roxane,
thinking It was but passing mood OF
the dukes.
The duke turned toward LIE Bret as
Roxane walked toward sister in the
garden.
I'M. LIE Bret he said, "it is true that
none dares openly attack your friend.
But he has many foes. It was but yes
terday at the queen card table that
heard them say, 'Cyrano may die yet
by accident Bid him be prudent; stay
at home" .
"Cyrano prudentr' said LIE Bret
"Ah, we'll, I'll warn him."
Then Roxane's callers had gone, and
she waited with more longing and wist-
fitness in her heart than she herself
even realized in the mellow afternoon
for the coming Of the one who all her
troubled life had been her friend and
helper.
When her callers had left her alone,
Roxane played with her embroidery silk
and waited for the coming Of her friend.
Beyond the garden wall lie Bret ad-
vancing on his way to give Cyrano the
warning from the duke, was suddenly
stopped by Ragueneau.
Ragueneau was white to the very
lips. His eyes stuck out with horror.
''Listen, listeni'' be cried breathiess-
~. "Your frfend-our frfend-Oyra-
no. 4
"What is TT What is it7'' pressed LIE
Bret in terror, shaking the unnerved
newsbearer's arm. "Speak quick, man!
Speakr'
HE came from out his house just
nova little while ago. He turned the
oor,,or-ho moo COMING hos.n sow