The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1901-06-27
Ice was broken now, ana she went on: d:

Ice was broken now, anu she went Oh:
"Oh 1t was folly! 1t was madness!
Why. ever did | Gomez"
"We will get back safely, thank
God! l said but Il great fear was in
my heart lest the king should send to
order the Louvre gates to be shut and
l hurried l,cr on through the moOnlit
streets. We went down the Rue Croix
DIES Petit Champs, passed behind the
| ma! aSins Of the Louvre and at last
came to the gate below the riding
school. Once past that we were safe
Indeed, for ny little key would open
the terrace wicket, and then all would
be well.
"Take my nrm," l said. "I.ook as
much like servant woman Of the pal.
ace as your highncss can"
She did so without n word. AS we
came to the gate the sentry looked at
us narrowly. l stopped and addressed
him.
"My friend" l said. "it is not yet 10,
Is it!'
"No, NJ. lie Brusquct." But his eyes
were on my companion, whose hood
was drawn we'll over her face.
"Good" l answered. 81 shall be in
timr for the kings supper. Come,
mignOnnc."
| felt her shrink at the word, but she
played her part hrnvely and trippcd by
my side as we passed the gate We
were not moment too soon, for as we
turned the Strawberries Il horseman
dashed up, and heard him call out
1
"llas any one gone this way?"
We stopped In the shadow of the
trees and listened We dare not stir,
for 1t would mean crossing a prr.u,
patch OF moonlight, where, for certain,
we We uld be seen.
"1es, monsieur - lie BruSquct, his
ape and girl-she looked pretty"
AND you did not stop thcmY
Monsieur, the gates are free until
10, and, besides, LIE Brusquet has an
evil sword. and he called her mi.
gnonDe."
Ella, ha, hap And Crequy's merry
laugh rang out, while my companion
stamped her foot.
"Three very good reasons, but the
first Is the best. Harkee! Close the
gates Mt once. Let none pass In or ont"
"Yes, monsieur"
And then Crequy, turning his horses
head, rode off at n canter.
AS he did SO l drew the Inference
rom his act.
'"Thc king Is not back yet, your high
ness. We are safe"
Then we crossed the garden in 81
lence until we came to the little wicket
leading to the ladies' terrace. opened
1t with my key, and when we had gone
up the steps and reached the platform
OF the terrace she stopped, and w
faced cuch other
snail never forget that night whcu
we two stood there alone the oujct
moon looking down on us, the silver
light, the shadowy trees and the scent
or the roses that came to us with the
breeze.
l saw my queens eyes shining upop
pe, and knclt at her feet.
! "Iour highncss will forgive mc-my
freedom Of speech and all have done. |
bnt mere was no other way, and you
arc safe now"
She threw her hood back and looked |
down upon me with her glorious eyes,
and then, stretching out her hand. rails.
cd me to my feet.
I'M. de Bcsmc," she said, "God has let |
me know today what true gentleman |
is. Keep these In memory Of Mary of |
Scotland"
with these words she detached the |
two red roses she wore Mt the neck Of |
her dress and placed them in my hands,
and as | bowed low and in silence to
receive them she turned and ran up the
stairway and into the palace, slipping
from my sight like n ghost.
y
Late that night as I sat I'm my cham.
Der, thinking and staring at the roses I
had placed In vase on the table before
me, heard step outside my door and
then knock. knew who 1t was.
'Enter! l cried, and Lorgnac came
IN. His face was beamng, his eyes
laughing. lie shook me by the hand
and, flinging himself into chair, pour
ed hlnself out cup Of D'Arbois and
drained 1t at draft.
See herc" he said as he placed n
small bag on the table. "a thousand
2lstoles IN gold! And 1 owe you DO