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

"Ah, we'll! He will not come today
TO clear the stage Of Montfisury! You'll
sss, " said one.
CHAPTER II.
The young Christian. half divided
between the tale Of the great Cyrano
and watching Roxane. felt suddenly Q
hand in his pocket. Clasping it, he
swung around and faced pickpocket,
but the rogue was clever.
"You sought" he hazartied.
"A glove. said Christian. He did
not add that it was his intention to
throw the glove into the face Of the
complaisant valvert, designed ty De
Guiche for Roaane's husband, and. fight
ing him. perhaps to rid the world OF
him.
"You find hand" said the ready
scoundrel. LET me 60, and shall de-
liver you . secret. Your friend Ligniere
there. who has just left you, Is being
plotted against. His life is in peril. A
song written by him has given offense
In high places. A hundred men lie in
wait for him. He has offended the great
nobleman, De Guiche, who married the
cardinals niece. I am one Of the hun.
dred. but have no stomach for the job.
Go you and warn him"
So Christian, easily put of. hastened
from the thea,er and missed. not Mas
ter Balthazar Baro's comedy Of "Clo-
rise" but the play between Cyrano de
Bergerac and Montfeury.
The laughter, talk and tumult keeps
mp. The pages in the upper gallery fish
for the wigs Of the burghers in the pit
with slings and bent pins. When wig
10 drawn up on the end Of string. leav-
ing the embarrassed burgher uncovered,
cries Of delight resound through the
hall.
Montfleury had come upon the stage
and had mouthed his opening lines
The mobiles whispered one to another,
"De Bergerac not here!" Ragueneau,
the pastry cook. breathlessly loyal, had
wagered fowl . La Ragueneau, upon
his coming. Suddenly from the center
Of the pit there came a voice:
"villain! And did not forbid you
10 set foot upon this stage for month";"
Moutfeury broke of in his mouth
ings. The crowd stood dazed for sec.
ond. Then came shout. The mobiles
recognized De BergeIac. Montfieury.
interrupted, stammered wildly.
"Dare you defy me?" cried the voice.
ION, Montfieury. on!" cried the mo-
bles
Monttlcnry stammered another line.
$50 you itch for q taste VI my caDe:"
said the voice. and in the pit hand
lifted above the heads Of the spectators
waved cane.
Hap.happy he" began Montfieury,
for the third time.
Then Cyrano sprang upon chair, q
terrible figure to see. with bis crossed
arms, his cooked beaver. his bristling
mustache and his great nose.
Got no cried fercely. "Gor
"Help, helpr begged the actor.
"Go ON. M0ntheury, advised the
mobiles indifferen,ly. 1--WE will protect
you"
"Another moment" cried Cyrano,
"and must even slit his ears of. My
anger rises /"
He left his chair and stood in the
middle OF circle.
"Your protectora he said politely.
II will meet first--one after the other.
Gentlemen, come onl What, none? Alb,
then, to you alone I will devote myself
Thrics will clap my hands, thus At
the third clap get yoo gone. One"
Montfieury wavered. He'll stayP
shouted the crowd.
"Two!'
"Gentlemen. begged Montfieury.
"'twere discreet, methinks-
"Threer'
Amid the jeers and cries Of the whole
house the enormously fat actor disap-
pears ON the instant. Cyrano, center Of
. circle. banded jests. Jodelet, the
manager, mourned over entrance fees
90 be returned
'Here. take that" called Cyrano.
and tossed him y bag Of gold.
And all the while the eyes Of hia
cousin, the dainty wit Roxane, were
bent upon him from her box.
Jodelet weighed in his hand the purse
that Cyrano had Just thrown to him on
the stage and told him that at this price
| he was welcome to etop . play every
night.
The audience rose and prepared 10
leave the theaser. The ladies in the
galleries stopped in adjusting their
mantles and scarfs to listen to Cyrano,
who again had the foor.
"It's shameful! Montheury is pto.
tected by the Duke Of Candal. Have
you . patron7" demanded . bore Of
Cyrano
"No patron or protector. +" answers
Cyrano, grasping his sword. "but
have . protectress here"
/ "You'll have TO leave town. The
duke has long arm.
"Not % long ~ mine when tt'i
heightened out.'' ret0ted Cyrano, hold.
ing out his sword. "Show your heclt
now OF tell me why you stare 70 at my
nosa."
"Your grace mistakes." apologised
the bore, drawing back
"Come. now." aid Cyrano. what
amusea you? Il il that It's dangling like
IN elephants trunk o. crooked like an
owls beakf Or 10 IL the hy that take
the air on the tip?" M
"I-I-did MOI look. was careful-'
| knew better"
"Thsa Why did yoa iook q my noss,