Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1899-08-03

I For the Honor OF His Word
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

THE Fleur-de-lys was busy with gay
| company. The low ceiled rooms
rang with calls and jests and laughter
and in the adjoining orchard men clad
in all their most imposing finery saun
tered up and down or lounged on rough
benches set beneath the trees. There
was to be hunting party on the NOR
row; and the landlord blessed his ma
iesty and the regent, and wished them
good sport.
"A heavy travelling coach with a
broken wheel, which stood in one cor
ner of the courtyard, seemed TO arouse
the curiosity of each newcomer; but
the panels bore neither arms nor cipher,
and the landlord must have been we'll
paid, as he knew no more than that a
lady and her attendants had halted
there for rest and refreshment till the
wheel should be repaired. The lady
was coy, and kept TO her chamber,
though the gentleman, who loitered in
the orchard, caught an occasional
glimpse of her face at window. None
seemed to recognize her, save court
Ter, who sat with companion on q
bench almost directly facing the win
dow. He had started with surprise
when he saw her face, as she stood for
moment by the open easement, and,
turning to his companion, he poured
forth an eager story of piquant gossip.
"A countrywoman of those terrible
Irish, by dear Montrevel," he conclud-
ed, who has futtered to the light from
the dim cloisters of St. Germans.
Heaven send us battalion of such
rather than a regiment of her bawlng
compatriots."
They say she is beautiful"
"A wild flower tipped with dew"
"You are rapturous, de BRONSON"
said Montrevel, laughing. "Have you
hopes in that quarter?"
'Nay, she threatens and scorns, and
most truly. There is the same wild
light in her eyes as in those Of all the
tire-eating Irish who troop to fortune
under the lilies of France. l like not
such woman"
DOL" laughed his companion. 1.-The
wild Irish, then, have quelled your bold
spirit"
az, faith" retorted de BRONSON, half
angrily, II fear none of those beggarly
soldiers of fortune"
"And little need you, my fine bird,
for there's mighty little fattening in
the fortune you give them," said a
voice behind them; and turning they
saw the laughing face of an officer who
wore the scarlet uniform of the men
they vilifed.
"You are impertinent, sir!" said de
BRONSON.
only familiar" remarked the new
conner, imperturbably.
De Brousson was about to reply holly
when Montrevel interposed.
Capt. Halloran," he said, "our ac-
quaintance is too brief to spoil by quar-
rels."
Thady, still smiling, bowed. ITS
hardly hot enough yet for spelling; but,
gentlemen, it's mighty poor hospitality
if the stranger must hold his tongue,
and let all the jesting be against him."
"True; but 1 would not have 1t said
that Thady Halloran was backward in
either"
The little breeze blown by, the three
sat amicably down together, Thady
stating that he waited o friend,
brother officer in the brigade.
Join me, gentlemen, in stoup of
wine," he said, "for it is poor work
laughing with dry mouth"
His invitation was accepted, and
presently they were served.
Here with the flagon drink to the lass;
The man without either is only an ass"
sang Thndy.. And pray, my friends,
what was this pretty piece of scandal?
came only in time to catch the sting
In the tail of It,"
"Ah, only d'Estrelles' latest con-
quest" answered de Brousson;. "a fair
ccuntrywoman of yours. Fair, by
Saint Louis, beyond the fairest. She
rests even now in the inn"
oh" said Thady, carelessly, you
gentlemen of France are hard to resist,
for you lay we'll your siege with flatter-
ing words and jeweled gauds."
~ faith, d'Estrelles hath store Of
both," laughed de Bronson, but l
know not how he won her. He is now
in Spain, but she lives in retirement and
is proof against all temptation, though
1t is whispered that the regent himself
has cast longing looks that way"
"By Venus, there she is" he cried.
Our gay d'Estrelles' most faithful
fair" And he pointed to where lady
stood by an open window.
Thady looked, and for moment he
sat as if turned to stone, for the face
he saw was that of Katy Ryan. Then
with a rush the blood went tingling
through his veins, and he leapt to his
feet.
"You liel" he shouted. "She is the
best and purest maid in Ireland"
De Brousson also sprang to his feet
at the insult. Then heaven keep me
from your courtesans." He drew his
sword. 81 hope, sir, your honor is
brighter than your maids"
For answer Thady's sword leapt from
the scabbard, but ere the blades could
cross, the landlord, drawn by the sud-
den uproar, was between them.
"Sirs, sirs, would We ruin me? Here
Is no place for brawls, but yonder is
pretty piece of lawn where gentlemen
may STAY each other in comfort and not
ruin the reputation of an honest
house"
The two men were in no mood to
brook interference, but Montrevel pre-
vailed upon them, and babe the landlord
point out the place he recommended.