Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-12-06


fore women was tongue tied Cyrano
promises to tutor him in wit.
"I'll daily teach your tongue, " said
he. "Only remember and repeat to her
the things bid. So shall she never
have disillusion. Alone you fear to
chill her heart Take then my words
and so you shall win her! Wed them
to your lips. 1t will amuse me. IL is q
good experience for poet. Will you
not do it,
The cadets come in, and. to their dis.
gust, find the once staggering Cyrano
embracing Christian. a musketeer
mockingly laughs at the scene, where
upon Cyrano cuffs his head, and the
cadets turn somermults for JOY to see
that all the old spirit Is not dead.
The woning Of Roxane began. Daily
the lover. who could think and feel and
mold his thoughts to beauty. taught the
lover who was dumb. Daily Roxane,
hearing Cyrano's impassioned speeches
through Christians chiseled lips. was
borne deeper aud deeper into the ecstasy
Of love. Daily Roxane told her cousin
Of her lovers wit and fancy. She read
Cyrano verses he had written, and wher
he seemed scarce enthusiastic over them
she tauntcd him with being jealous OF q
better poet than himself. Then CyraEo'k
eyes would fash with merriment, and
over his mismated face a smile would
run. He was not altogether sad in those
days.
But Roxane's love for Christian was
confessed more freely to Cyrano than tc
Christian himself, and as for the rest OF
the world she hid it completely, fearing
the vengeance Of the disappointed De
Guiche. who still pursued her with at
teDtions. He had been made commander
Of the army. He had il in his power to
eeud her lover tn death. She beguiled
him n little now and then, and when
finally the orders came that the French
forces should proceed to Arras she ar.
ranged with him that the company OF
Cyrano shonld be left behind-and In
that company was Christian, Of whom
the lord commander had not heard.
$50 you will be revenged upon my
cousin for his mockery OF your patron
age and his insolenoe to you. she said.
"He is very fire eater! How be will
gnash his teeth to be. with all his cadets,
left at home when there Is fighting
nfieldr'
"Who but q woman would be subtle
enough to plan such revenge!" cried
the admiring DE Guiche.
II was at this time that Christian was
pleased to indulge in n ft Of the sulks.
lie would have none Of Cyrano's aid.
He would be loved for himself and not
for Cyrano's fine speeches. He would
WOO Roxane in his own fashion. And
he did--to such effect that Roxane,
bored. dismissed him till such time m
he should have his wits again. Chris
tian, properly repentant, overlook his
tutor in the art Of love beneath Roxane't
balcony.
The wall that ran about the sweet
green garden had benches set against 1t.
The balcony Of Roxane's window over
hung the quiet little street. Dew heavy
vines fell from il, yelling all the wall
in beauty.
"Ob, shall die, Cyrano! Help me
Teach me. She has sent me awsyV'
walled Christian.
In the latticed window above the
greenery light fitted.
"Ssh!" cautioned Cyrano. drawing
Christian back beneath the screen OF
vines and into the black shadow Of the
wall. "Ssh She's there, and all may
be repaired. Call to her. then speak Is
I shall bid you speak. F"