Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-11-29

game last night, ne answered.
81 got il playing at the Porte de- Nesle. y
"Now will bind your wounds again
o. in the old days there at Bergerac.
With my own kerchief. see. I wipe
away the blood. How many fought
your"
"Oh. a hundred"
"Tell me true. You Jest with me. "
"Nay, what Of that' Tell you what
Is the other thing you came 10 speak to
me"
"Draw not your hand away, dear
cousin. BE but the Cyrano knew long
since In Bergerac and I am bold TO
speak BEND low and listen. I-Ilove."
"Ah" breathed Cyrano.
"And he-knows not-guesses not"
The room swan before Cyrano's eyeA
He held his breath.
"He knows not yet, but soon he shall
learn it, Bend lower. Listen. He-has
loved mo from afar. ! saw He dares
not speak.
There was cloud Of roee 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. der
cousin. Hear me still. He-a chance
he is Of your Iegiment-cadet OF your
own company"
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,
yalorous-apd fair. A."
"Fairw cried Cyrano springing 70
his feet
In copper pan his face was reflected
-misshapen. Cyrnno had awakened
from his dream.
"Why, cousin, what is It? What ails
you?' begged Ro1ane.
"The-scratch-you hands bad dress.
cd, my gentle cousin. Ii stung again,
he smiled. But-tell me now his name.
How can serve you?''
"He is Baron Christian de Neuvil.
lette. This day he joins the guards. l
know he loves me. Eyes are eloquent
aye, and gossips, too. J."
"But you, my cousin. how know yon
that you love him? You delight i'll wit
Suppose his wit weIe slow? Yon love
fancy. What were his fancy dull?'
at is not. know II is notl' cried
Roxane, stamping her foot Cyrano
paused.
"How may serve you?" he asked.
"Cousin, ne joins your Gascon regi.
ment, and hear that you provoke all
but pure Gascons who are admitted
there. trembled for him-till / saw
you-invincible, all conquering. Then
said l, If my cousin would -
~ will befriend your little baron.
said Cyrano, the soul Of generosity
"You promise you II do this for me?
You'll be his friend? You'll let him
fight no duels? They'll put no affront
upon your protege?"
~ swear" said Cyrano.
Roxane paused. She took her veil,
her mask.
"I've always held my cousin tender
IT," she said. "How good you are!"
She blew him kiss airily from her
finger tips.
"Tell me Of last nights frayT she
pressed him politely. "a 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 wellr'
II have fought better since, he an
swered and bowed low TO les her pass
Roxane did not catch his meaning.
When she, veiled and masked again,
had glided from the pastry cooks, Cy-
rano stood erect and stiff. Sorrow q shaft
had transfixed him where he stood. He
was blind and deaf to all about him for
. few seconds. Then door flung open.
Pellmell o crowd rushed In.
"Cyran0r' cried voices
"Herop
"Cyrano, Oyranor
Ragueneau. upset BY the excitement
dashed hither aud thither. Half Of Cy-
ramos regiment crowded about him.
Mobiles and actors, poets and artists
pushed and showed to get nearer the
hero at the last nights fray. The CAP
tain ot the Gascon company, Carbon de
Castei ..Ialoux, was 1t the head Of his
ueu.
They seek you, Cyrano. to call You
brother. to embrace you, to lear
II would not see-I am not-I desire
not tcgan Cyrano, sick at heart.
/ Tho hero has the sulks, my Gas
cons." cried Carbon. But, regardless Of
'he feelings Of the hero. the men crowd.
ed around, saluting and embracing their
comrade. Mobiles who the day before
had not known the 0ascon fighter beg
eed TO present him to fair aud naughty
danes who waited bat to know him.
R,cn men tried 70 patronise him. The
great De Guiche himself entered the
pastry shop to congratulate the man
who had overcome his own hiielings.
vefsinen begged permission 70 make
rhymes upon his exploit Interviewers
sought the privilege Of writing Of bis
exploit for The Court Gazette But Cy-
rano to ail was curt and spnrnsd the
hatteries
\ De Guiche, whose manners were =
little too Hns to Be good. expressed his
admiration rather badly:
| $50 marvellous feat could not
credit had not heard these gentlemen
swear they NV it You are brave, sir.
And you serve In that company Of bot.
J hsads. tie 0afcouss'' -