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

A."6 uoooou u1a8S A6 6xce away, and
as the two hurry away BY the colonnade
leading to the chapel Roxane catches
sight OF them and gaylY calls after
them. They disappear without answer
ing or hearing her.
CHAPTER <.
In the garden Roxane waited for hsr
friend. She bent over her embroidery
frame and watched the sisters bring the
armchair where be was won't to sit be-
side her.
"He's late, she said "What can II
bes My faithful Court Gazette' behind
his time after SOL many yearss The DOR
tress keeps preaching how to save
his soul All, yes, that must be itr'
She played with her needle, scanned
the sky, unused, smiling, On his good.
ness to her, fumbled In her workbag for
her thimble, frowned at her pattern.
tapped her foot impatiently, then re-
solved to work and began her STITCHING.
Still the minutes dragged by, and be
did not appear. ~
I IN. de Bergerac " al last announced
little sister, coming up behind her.
"At last" said Roxane. She did not
turn or raise her eyes. Some faint CO.
quetry even In that she called her
friendship babe her play thus with him.
Besides his coming was the punctual
coming of the sun, and she took it with
the same calm habit. She searched
among her silks as she spoke to him.
you're latei The first time in all
these years" ~A
Cyrano's face was very white. He
had walked toward her stifly, as one
holds himself who fears to fall. Each
step was taken with a pulling at the
legs. His hat jammed low upon his
face, concealed bandage round his
head. So"
II was staid," he apologized in a
voice he could control with difficulty,
"by a most unwelcome visitor" He
spoke jokingly and with assumed play
fulness, but he seemed to wrench the
words out from his chest by jerks, as he
had pulled himself along to where she
sat-
"Some creditorP'' said Roxane lightly.
"The last creditor who has debt to
collect from met' ,@
"Ah, fortunate man, SO nearly clear
Of debt And is 1t paidr'
"Not yet. babe him wait. I said
had rendezvous which nothing should
defer. told him to call again In Just
an hour"
IA creditor can always watt" said
Roxane airily. "You shall not leave me
until twilight time. But what's the
matterp You have not teased Sister
Marthap'
Sister Martha was walking by. Cyra-
no called to her. Then he RACES at her
with burlesqued fury for her SO called
preaching at him. But his teasing lack
ed its old ring, and suddenly he said:
Listen, sister1 give you leave TO
pray for me tonight at chapel time"
II have not waited your permission
to pray for you, " said she, smiling, and
walked on. A light breeze causes the
yellow leaves to come showering down.
Cyrano watched Roxane's fingers over
her embroidery.
"I'll never see it finished" he said.
"Ahl knew that time worn Jest
would come" laughed Roxane. Then
silence fell between them, broken only
by the swirling Of the leaves
"My Court Gazette seems dull TO-
day." she ventured finally.
With q great effort Cyrano forces
back his faintnesa "Ah, yes to be
sure" he laughed. "Well listen. On
Saturday, the 10th, having eaten 10 ex-
cess Of peach preserves the king felt
feverish, but the doctor, with his lancet,
soon Quelled the reasonable revolt The
august pulse now beats normal At the
queen s ball on Sunday thiYtysoo1e Of the
very best white wax tapers were burned
up Our troops, they say, have chased
the Austrians -Four eorcerers were
hanged. The little dog Of Nine. d'Athis
took DOSE
IN. de Bergeracf'' cried Roxane,
with mock sternness, II bid you hold
your tongue, STRIP
"Monday, went ON Cyrano, growing
whittier and whittier, mot much took
place. Claire changed protectors. Tues
day the court repaired to Fontainebleau.
Wednesday the Montglat said to Oomte
de Fiesque'-
But suddenly his eyes close; his voice
breaks, and his head falls forward. He
had tainted in his chair. In alarm Rox-
ane ran toward him.
''It's nothing" he said, recovering
himself. "My. old wound-got at Arras
1T still troubles me-" He smiles with
an effort.
"Ah, both Of Us we're wounded there,
and both still bear the marks Of our
hurt, +" said Roxane. ~ have his letter
still above my heart. -
,"You said that some day I should
read it.
''And so you shall today. See. here
it is, hung in this bag. Open it and
read"
II have your leave to read it now?"
he asked, holding it tenderly with a
queer smile about the corners Of his
ashy lips.
II should like to hear you read II.
she said softly,