Owingsville outlook. [volume] (Owingsville, Ky.) 1879-192?, 1899-01-26
CHAPTER lN.5CoNTINNEp.

A turn in the avenue at this moment
brought us in full view of the gray
walls OF Didache. and on the wide stone
staircase that led TO the great hall We
saw tho servants of the household as
SembIea. -Sari~.s-.- ..a.~a her hand in
greeting, and the cheer which broke
from -rhSm--<es-dfowned in the boom
of the lombard from the keep. As the
lluc wraths az smoke curled upward,
q little TALL ran to the top of the flag
staff on the keep. and the next moment
the banner of Tremouille, with the arms
of Rochemars of Bidache quartered
thereon, spread out its folds TO the
morning, and madame was come home
once morr.
We dinsd an hour OF so later than
ususl-msdame. d'Ayen. Palm and my
self at the high table, and the rest of the
household with all Bidache at the next.
Madame. sho seemed in nowise IA
tigued with her long ride, was in the
gaysst of spirits and rippled with talk.
Az il think ing she had punished 'Ayen
enough she directed all her converse
lion towards him. and the old beau
vas in his element in discussing the in
trigues of SQUIRT life. and let me add
Interesting for his memory went far
back.
Az last the dinner came to a close,
and Palm, rising. opened mis- lips in a
long giving. to which all, madame
Included. listened devoutly. Our host
ess then retired, and we three were left
together in IN absolute silence. Had il
tseen any otter place. would have felt
tound TO eau D'Ayen TO account. and
ask him 10 Iame a proxy IL he was I'M
able TO meet me by reason OF his age.
Tut as IL was. this was impossible. and
i contented myself with q frigid re-
serve. in which I was joined by the
Euguenot. lie looked from one TO the
ether OF ms with q satirical smile on
his thin lips. and then rising made a
slight bow, ard left ms 10 ourselves. As
we returned 20 our seats from our re-
spouse to his greeting, blurted out the
questions;
who is NJ. dAyen? Why is he here?''
"Who is he? 1t is enough TO saw he is
one of those men who live on the follies
Of kings. And II is enough 10 say that
his company il forced upon u.s."
81 have heard that before; bur ma
dame seemed 20 like him well enougn at
dinner" fe't was wrong as said
this; but the words came out.
He is here by the kings orders-by
the order of Henry the Great" said
palm v-;,h ~ S.r,,... ssn,<u~.o,- -,
seem . maa bf honor. What do you
think Of king who would force n mar
riage on a woman to" and he whis-
pered words Ia my ear which struck me
speeches.. t
i could no. believe him. II was in
credible. WIS this the hero king-the
gallant soldier-the father of his peo-
pie? II could NOT be true.
Palm saw the doubt on my face.
Even you." he said, will go to Paris
and see."
II shall COL am going to-day"
1T will b. at the risk of your life"
"Maitre Palm. there is the kings
peace-and even IL IL were not SO will
60"
He LOOKED At me long and attentively.
Lei IL be so." he muttered to him.
self, and then loudly: swell, chevalier,
have warned you-if you go you will
want safe lodging-eeek out Pantin in
the Rue des Deux Mondes, and mention
my name. The house faces the Point
yeuf. Won can't miss it,
"Thank you, win do so.''
Then sftera few minutes more of talk
ore wished eech other good-by and
parted.
As for myself I was on the cross with
what had heard. Ny mind was racked
with doubt, and at last, in despair.
sought my own room to think over the
mattel. I could make nothing of it,
turn which way would. To me Palms
story was incredible But yet 1t ex-
planned and made clear % much. II
was not to offer my sword to the king
~ ! would Bow 80 10 Paris. II would