The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1899-03-30


the room in my excitement.
"Had l been twenty years younger.
NJ. d'Auriac. | would have paraded you
for what you have said; but my cloth
and my age forbid II. My age, not be-
cause it has weakened my arm, but be-
cnuse IL has taught me to think. Ny
young friend. you are fool"
II know have been" ! said, bitterly
"but shall be no longer"
"And in saying so confirm yourself
in your folly. Are you so beside your
self that you condemn unheard! Sit
down, man, and hear what have TO
say. 1t will not keep you long. You
can leave Paris five minutes after, if
you like"
came back to my seat and Palm con-
tinued:
"You appear to be offended at Mad
anne de la Bidache's coming to Paris p
81 am not offended-I have no right
to be-"
"Well, IL will interest you to hear
that her coming to Paris was forced.
That practically we are prisoners"
"You mean TO say that he-the king
has gone as far as thatl"
81 mean what l say--madame cannot
leave her hotel, except to go to the
Louvre, without his permission"
But this is infamous!"
"In an almost similar case this was
what the daughter of De Couvres said,
and yet she died Duchess de Beaufort.
But are you satisfied now?"
~ am," said. in low tone, and then
other matter"
"You are exacting-are you sure you
have right to ask that?"
81 have no right, but il it is true il
means that the affair is at an end"
"If it is true?"
"Then it is not?" My heart began to
beat faster.
II did not say so. Remember that
the alternative is NJ. lie Baron d'Ayen."
There is another"
"And that is?"
Death"
"We are Huguenots," he answered
coldly, ''and believe in the word of God
We do not kill our souls"
"Great Heavens, mani Tell me If ii is
true or not? Do not draw this out. In
so many words, is Nine. de la Bidache
| pledged to de Gomeron?"
Most certainly not, but Biron and
her nearest relative, Tremouille, have
urged it on her as a means of escape
She has, however, given no answer"
| "Thpn De Rplin WAS yyrOnOon
IF you mean that Compile de Belin
said so, then he had no authority for
the statement"
palm" said, you were right.
am fool"
"You are" he answered, exactly
what your father was before you a,
your age"
"My father-you knew him?"
"Yes-Raoul de Breuil, sire d'AuriaC
and governor of Provence. We wer,
friends in the old days, and l owed hin
my life once, as did also Henry the
Great, our king and master, in the days
of his youth"
"And you never told me this?"
81 have told you now. l owe the
| iiOhSS VI Ehui lliC tNltC oNtls dbA
l recognize in this, as in all things, tn,
hand of God. Young man, j have
watched you, and you are worthy. b,
of good courage" He stretched out hii
hand and / grasped it in silence.
"See here" he continued, 81 have
come to you like a thief in the twilight
because l have that to say which is fol
you alone. 1t is useless to appeal to the
king. Our only chance is fight, and we
have no one to rely on but you. viii
you help us-help Inadame?"
why need to ask? Have l not al
ready said so? Am / not ready to die
if need be, to save her?"
"You are now," he said, "but will
not press that point. Then we, ol
rather /, can count on your"
ITO the end of my sword; but does
not madame know of this?"
"Not yet. Should it fall through
there would be only another bitter dis
appointment for her. 1t is, moreover
an idea that has but shaped itself with
me to-day"
Where do you propose going?"
"To Switzerland. There we would b,
safe, and there they are of our faith"
Remember, Maitre Palm, that an
not"
Look into your own heart and tel
me that again at another time. Can you
count on a sword or two?"
IF Jacques were only here!" / ex
claimed. And then, remembering my
new mans regulations: ''They say
Ravaillac is good, and have friend
i bethought me of Belin-"upor
whom / think can rely"
Better one blade of steel than two oi
soft iron, chevalier. We must do what
we can with what we have"
when do you propose starting?"
"On the night of the fete at the
Louvre"
"And we meet?"
"Under the three lines in the Tuile
ries at Compline."
81 have but one horse at present-we
must have more"
THAT is not hard. will settle thai
with Pantin. He knews the spot exact
| ly and will have horses in readiness and
| guide you there, if need be-"
Il know it, too, and will not fail you
God grant us success"
"Amen!"
There was silence of moment, and
then Palm arose. "It grows darker and
darker" he said; 81 must go now
adieu!"-and he held out his hand.