Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-06-22
(Copyrlght.)
CHAPTER I.
IN THE KINGS CARE.

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TALL slender Jeanne flung herself full
1sneth on the turf, and pushed her clus-
,.rinq hair off her face; she had a mere
,nrassiye face than is usually found
H. girl of thirteen. She was fair
..:rred. auburn haired and grey-eyed
Inst now she looked defiant; her large
t-isft eyes were fixed on her tall COM
nrnfon. who sat watching her with ex-
o.e.ent amusement on his strong, sun
Burnt face.
Il thought you were wise, ROLAND;
and vet you made great mistake. You
are as far as possible from the truth;
bg, Jhen. how can man know what a
Girl feels? Two years older, indeed.
WIN then. | shall more than ever wish
IA ia a boy; l shall have to wear my
Gown longer. and my hair will have to
n twisted up in tight knot under my
cof. besides, there will be a new hard
slip. Shall I tell you what it will be,
vou blind Rolland?"
She locked around her at the Win
dows behind the plot of grass on which
sle and her companion were enjoying
The sunshine in the castle garden;
everything seemed to be asleep, except
the pigeons preening and cooling in the
7ua.nt round dove-cote, at the end of
The garden: there was, too. now and
hen a twitter among the birds in the
trees right and left of the castle court.
i1tO which the garden led by a small
wicket Jeanne went on in a lowered
voice. lest there should be some hidden
listener; she tried to look grave, but
her eyes twinkled.
1T is a great secret. but l shall tell
you for mother ALWAYS says YOU are to
be trusted in everything. When two
years are past I shall no longer live
here; I shall be at Laval with my hus-
band. the Count of Laval"
Roland de Ia TOnche started and red
dped: he onened his lips to speak, and
then checked the words.
Jeanne was watching the effect of her
news; and she saw the red spread to
the roots of his fair hair, and even I'M
der his darker beard; she saw, too
brighter light in his eyes.
Why do you not speak," she said
impatiently Il want to know what
you think?"
do you speak in jest or in earnest.
child? After to-day l may not see you
again before I leave Brittany Come,
tell me, Jeanne; I must know the truth
before | go to Amboise."
Jeanne spr2ng up from the grass, her
face was full Of keen interest
'Amboise!" she cried. Happy you,
Why did you not tell me sooner you
We're going there? AT Amboise you will
see cur glorious King; Gillonne calls
him 'notre vrai roi gaillard'; and YOU
will also see the lady I love though I
have never seen her since she held me
In her arms at my baptism; but | know
how sweet she is. You know that Mad
ame de Chateaubriand is my cousin as
VII as my sponsor. l am called Fran
C]ise after her"
Il know that she is your cousin"
Then, as if he wished to dismiss an un-
pleasant subject: Tell me your true
meaning about the Count of Laval; saw
that ven were joking just now" he said
earnestly.
She flung back her silky auburn hair
I'll it fell loosely on her shoulders; then
leaning forward her finger on her lips,
her rounded cheek almost touched his
beard
Hush, it is a secret between mother
and me. Now, listen: the King has
sent his commands-vOu know ! am
the Kings ward-that l IN to marry
Monsieur de Laval. as reward to him
for some service which he has rendered
King Francis: the Count is to come
very soon to Longuedec. to wed me.
The pity OF it is" she said, with a pa
thetic look in her eyes. there is to be
: > IN -
ballads tell about: l have no power TO
say Yes or No; am to be married inst
like one of the dolls I used to play
with then ! am TO stay here with
mother till | am fifteen. But that is not
all my neWs-oh no. Madame de
Chateaubriand has sent me her pOr-
trait set in amethysts; it is so lovely,
and she sends word that some day she
hopes to see me at Amboise. All the
JOY Of seeing my sweet Cousin Fran
coise1 She began to pOut. Il do not
want husband; l shall be sure to hate
him. Now you see why l want to be a
registering boy, instead of caged-up
girl Holy Virgin. a boy is not mar
lied 10 a strange woman whether he
likes it or not!"
She said the last words passionately.
end ROLAND saw tears in her bright
grey eyes.
Listen. dear child'-he had been alb
s0rbed by her news, feeling very sad
after all. Monsieur de Laval may not
want TO marry you. He is a noble and
courteous gentleman; he will not
lAwart Madame Kergrist if she asks
ior delay; our King. too, is never des-
p0;ic in these contracts
Jeanne sat down again: she was pull
ing up the grass by tufts. which she
lung across at a huge deerhound. ly-
laE basking in the afternoon sunshine.
every now and then the dog lifted his
mead gaZed sleepily at his assailant,
AMI then settled to sleep again.
My mother docs not wish for delay"
Jeanne answered. "She called me to
her presence seven days past and told
me- she reioioed to leave me in the
hands Of so good and powerful a noble
as the Count de Laval But ROLAND
90 not like that word powerful; are you
noi sorry for me?"
Her eyes again looked pathetic. and
her red lips pouted out imploringly to
wards him. as if she sought his pro
lection against her future husband.
All"
Holland rose from the grass plot: he
hIred his back ON Jeanne. and stood
pulling his brown beard. while he look
90 at the chateau which rose above the
garden He was a tall. well-grown, sol
Glerly man. about fifteen years older
laan Jeanne: he knew the meaning OF