The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1899-02-09

derstanding the strange message tnat
NJ. d'Ayen had delivered TO me, and felt
myself safe in going to Paris, as n gen.
eral amnesty covered all our sins of re-
bellion-so they were called now.
So absorbed was in these thoughts
that / did not mark the rapid approach
of a horseman, nor indeed was aware
of his presence until. when within few
yards from me, he reined in his plung-
ing beast, whose bit and neck were
white with foam, and lifting his hat re-
spectfully, inquired II was the Cheva-
lier d'Auriac, and on my reply tx
claimed: Madame will be overjoyed.
We heard that you had already left
Bidache. and my lady arrives within
the hour from Evreux-pardon, mon
sieur, I go to give the news to the
household" and saluting again the
lackey dashed onwards toward the
chateau.
So I would meet her within the hour.
Half unconsciously glanced down TO
see II my doublet set Alright and my
points were tied. Then | thought l
would go back to the house and meet
her there, and. as | did this | looked
at the fall of the plumes in my hat, and
finally laughed aloud at myself for n
coxcomb, took my heart in both hands
and marched onwards toward the gates.
| The porter had already been warned.
ard on my coming | found him there
| and a crowd of yokels, all in a state
of high excitement
at is three years since madame was
here, monsieur" the hoaest fellow ex-
claimed TO me as / came up, three
years, and now she comes without a
word of warning-hola! There they are,
and there is madame on the jennet she
purchased from NJ. lie Due de Sully--he
was but the Sieur de Rosny then--holal
Hola!"
The crowd Joined with him in his
cheers, although MS yet the party was
far off-not so far, however, that
could not easily make out the graceful
figure on the jennet, and in the two
riders who accompanied madame, apart
from the half dozen servants behind,
recognized to my surprise d'Ayen, and
guessed that the gray beard in the tall
crowned ad-brirnmed hat, with the
sad-colored cloak over his shoulders
was no other than the old Huguenot
whose zeal had outrun his discretion
on the night when L saved madame
from great peril
This guess OF mine bazarded aloud
to the gatekeeper, who replied:
"Ycs, NJ. lie Chevalier, that is Maitrt
Palm, madame's chaplain, and he was
also chaplain to NJ. lie Compte before hi
died"
"When was il that NJ. lie Compile died 2
"Let me see, monsieur-ah, yes-foui
years ago, in Paris, at the time of tn,
plague. He was great lord, as yo,
may know, and brother of the duke
who they say has quarreled with th'
king because of his conversion, and o
Nine. Charlotte, the princess of Conde
who lives in the Rue Grenille."
AS madame lifted her head our eyei
met, and, raising my hat, | advanced
towards her, the people giving way re
spectfully. My ears were buzzing, ant
I was as shy and nervous as n school
boy, as 1 bowed over her gloved han,
and touched it with my lips.
LET me welcome you back to health
chevalier," she said, "and say how gla'
| am to be able, even for a short while
to do the honors of my poor house il
person to you. News came to us tha
you had already left Bidache-withou
even word to me-" her voice droppe,
a little as she said this. but the ton
was cool and friendly, nothing more.
,,R ,,,a1or,a'
$50 soon? But understand why, an
will not press you to stay-here is on
who, like myself, has longed for an or
portunity to thank you in person. Mo-
pere,' and she turned to the Hugueno
priest, "this is our friend to whom w
owe so much"
SIN the service of the Lord one woul
willingly lay down life" said Palm, a
he shook me warmly by the hant
nevertheless few hours more of tn
/ world for an old man is a grace not I
: be despised, and thank the instrumen
that has bestowed this benefit upon me.
: D'Ayen, between whom and nysel
( there had passed TO greeting, now spok
t in a voice that fairly tremblcd wit
e anger.
II was not aware that / should hay
o the pleasure of meeting you here, NJ.
u Chevalier. 1t will surprise the king
e he added, in lower tone to madame.
Il l made no answer, but the memor
e of his warning and my determinatio
o to settle with him came up in full fore
Il Madame, however, spoke.
II IN. d'Ayen, when, by the order of III
e king, you were directed TO escort me
> Bidache, there was nothing said abol
your right to dictate to me who shall
Il my guests. Remember, monsieur, tbi
:. your company is forced upon me, an
let me add that you are trifie tc
5, paternal."
d D'Ayen paled under his rouge, an
r muttering something, remained back
e pace.
Y. Madame signaled lackey TO di
a mount and offer me his beast.
r 81 cannot allow you 20 walk, and v
>" will reach the house quicker in th
e way, besides | want to hear all yol
news. My friends" and she turned
If the people, "cone to Bidache; it is lor
N since we have met, and | would ha
n you there to make merry as of old
II come, chevalier."
" In the cheers which followed, 81
Is touched her horse lightly on the shot
70 der with her whip and galloped on, i
t lin and on either hand, and the sui