The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1899-11-01
CHAPTER IX.-CoNTINuEp.

CHAPTER lN.-CONTINUED.
found Charles mounted on Savoy, his
one-eyed black charger, one of the finest
horses have ever seen. The king grasped the
situation at glance. lie gave a sharp order,
closed his vizor with a snap, and in five min
utes a thousand lanccs followed him down
the long slope up which the Spaniards were
advancing. 1t was an absolutely silent
charge. Not cheer went up, and the only
sound was the thunder OF the horses hoofs,
and the cink OF mail as we sped on after
the king. Then there was a sulen crash,
and sea of struggling men and horses The
veteran troops of the great captain main
tanned their high reputation, fighting like
dragons to the end.
Charles. whose horse had carried him far
in advance of US all, was in great danger.
His helmet had fallen OF been struck off, and
h. was recognized. Gonsaga, seeing all was
lost, made a despairing rush at the king with
a half-dozen men at his back, and had il not
been Tor the way Savoy kicked and plunged,
would have surely slain him. Urging my
horse to its utmost speed, reached Charles
jrst IN time to ward OIL furious blow aimed
by ,he Spaniard at the king, and riding full
tilt against him. brought down both horse
as6 van The next moment others came W,
AMI we were safe. Philip de Confines re-
proa he'd the king respectfully for running
hiInse,; irto peril; but Charles, wiping his
sword y; the name of his charger, said, with
q lazsS.:
"All is veil that ends well, my lord of Ar
genton; but it is thanks to this good sword
here" and he turned to me, that our cousin
OF Orleans must exercise his patience yet y
littla lonrar Tome elOsar "
] dismounted and approached, helmet in
hand. The king detached the cross of St.
I.azare he wore, and, bending from the sad
die. slipped the loop OF the ribbon round my
neck.
Wear this for the sake OF France" he
said, with gracious smile.
And now the patience of Orleans had come
to its end, and Louis MI was king, and of
my hopes and dreams, all that remained was
the cross of the order blinking at me.
II had to go and there was no help for
it. With an effort rose, and, thrusting the
cross into my pocket, hurried into the
street. My way led to the ward of San
Spirito, and it took me some little time TO
reach the place where | meant to dispose of
the jewel. When | reached it, was so over
come with weakness that had to halt for
moment to rest 1t was during that halt,
that hesitation of a minute, that my cour
age came back to me, and ] pulled forth the
cross and held it IN my cold fingers with a
heart tossed by conflicting emotions | could
not do it. Death would be preferable. Well,
had faced death before, and there was no
reason why ! should not do so again with
an equal mind. The Arno was deep enough
to hold me, and God would perhaps he kind
er in the next world than in this. placed
the cross back slowly, my honor was still
white, aud death that was coming would
give me full quittance for all my troubles.
! turned my back on the pawnbrolier and
went towards the Arno; but had mlscalcu-
lated my strength, and near San Felicia
felt a sudden giddiness and sank downward
on the pavement. ] struggled to rise, but
the faintness increased and. dragging my
self close to the wall, ! leaned against It IN
a sitting posture, and a kind of stupor fell
upon me- through which ] still felt the in
tolerable pangs Of hunger. In little time
felt better, and. as ] saw the fash OF
torches, and heard voices in laughing con
vcrsation, | made an effort to rise, gaining
my feet just as two ladies', with their at.
PENDANTS, came opposite to me, and then
staggered back again.
Poor man! lie is hurt"
IL am starving" said in the bitterness OF
py agony, and the next moment could have
killed myself, for ! recognized the ladies
whom | had rescued from Luigi in the Gar
den Of st. Michael. had my desire and had
seen her again; but how!
Madonna Angola made hurried search
for her purse, and, not finding it, with a
hasty movement tore something of a brace
let, and thrust It into my hand. Before !
could recover from my establishment they
had gone on, and although | called after
them they did not stop. The shame Of hay-
ing received charity. and from her, was all
but unbearable; but with it telt the hand
III hanger knocking al me IN manner that
would take no denial. My courage was gone
aud urged by the fierce pangs Of my hunger,
j resolved to utilize the git, and obtain some
food 10 give me strength TO die. ] smile as +.
think OF this now Then II was no laughing
matter. ! plucked myself up sufficiently to
go bacK 10 the pawnshop. Entering II,
nlaced the article, which ! judged to be a
Jswel, but which ! had not even examined,
before the man IN attendance, and asked him
i0r an advance thereon.
1T is one OF the gold tar Of Amali," be
Asid, posing II on his finger, 'and OF full
weight DO you wish to sell ~"
No. ! replied, u merely wish 10 pledge
IT,"
u will give you two crowns" be pushed
the money TO me. and with il a receipt.
gsthered these up, and staggered rather
then walked 10 the MsrIocco inn, which lay
bard b., There were haIf's dozen people