Middletown transcript., 1901-01-05


of st. Mesmin's head were injured.
This seemed to place an effectual check
on M. de Saintonge's purpose; and my
surprise was great when, about a week
later, the younger st. German burst IN
upon me one morning, with his face IN
famed with anger and his dress in dis
order; and proclaimed, before could rise
or speak, that St. Mesmin had been
murdered.
.sHow?" I said, somewhat startled.
"And when?'
"By NJ. de Saintonge! Last night!
he answered furiously. "But l will have
Justice; will have justice, NJ. de Rosny,
or the King"
checked him as sternly as my sur
prise would 1T me; and when l had a
little abashed him-which was not easy,
for his temper We'd in stubbornness with
st. Mesmin's-I learned the particulars.
About ten o'clock on the previous night
st. Mesmin had received note, and, IN
spite of the remonstrances of his SER
| wants, had gone out alone. He had not
returned nor been seen since, and his
friends feared the worst.
"But on what grounds" | said, aston
ished to find that that was all.
"What" st. Germain cried, faring up
again. EDO you ask on what grounds?
When NJ. de Saintonge has told a hun
dred what he would do to him! What
he would do-do, I say? What he has
done"
'Poohp' I said. 'It is some assigna-
ton, and the rogue is late in returning. "
can assignation, yes," St. German re-
torted; "but one from which he will not
return"
s'Well, if he does not, go to the Cheva-
lier du Guet," I answered, waving him
off. Col do you hear? I am busy" l
continued. 'Do you think that l am
keeper of all the young sparks that bay
the moon under the citizens windows?
Be off, sir?"
He went reluctantly, muttering ven,
geance; and l, after rating Maignan
soundly for admitting him, returned to
my work, supposing that before night
| should hear of St. Mesmin's safety. Bat
| the matter took another turn, for while
was at dinner the captain of the watch
came to speak to me. st. Mesmin's cap
had been found in a by-street near the
river, in place where there were marks
of a struggle; and his friends were fur.
ious.
Before noon next day NJ. de Clam
whose interference surprised me not g
little, was with me to support his sons
petition; and at the Kings levee next day
St. Germain accused his enemy to the
Kings face, and caused an angry and
indecent scene in the chamber.
When man is in trouble foes spring
up, as the moisture rises through the
stones before thaw. doubt if NJ. dc
Saintonge was not more completely sur.
prised than any by the stir which ensued,
and which was not confined to the St
Germans friends, though they headed the
accusers. All whom he had ever offended
and all who had ever offended him, clam.
ored for Justice; while St. Mesmin's
faults being forgotten and only his merits
remembered, there were few who did
not bow to the general indignation,
which the young and gallant, who saw
that at any moment his fate might be
theirs, did all in their power to foment
Finally, the arrival of st. Mesmin the
father, who came up almost broken
hearted, and would have flung himself al
the Kings feet on the first opportunity,
reused the storm to the widest pitch. l
saw the King and gave him advice. This
was to summon Ssintonge, the St. Ger
mains, and old St. Mesmin to his pres
ence and effect reconciliation; or, fail
ing that, to refer the matter to the Par
| lament.
He agreed with me and chose to re-
ceive them next day at the Arsenal. I
communicated his commands, and at the
hour named we met, the King attended
by Roquelaure and myself. But il I had
fattered myself that the Kings presence
would secure degree of moderation and
reasonableness l was soon undeceived
"For shame, gentlemen, for shame!"
the King said, gnawing his moustachios
after fashion he had when in doubt.
81 take Heaven to witness that cannot
say who is right! But this brawling does
no good The one fact we have is that
St. Mesmin has disappeared.
eyes, sire; and that NJ. de saintonge
predicted his disappearance, St German
cried, impulsively. 'To the day and
almost to the hour
II gather, NJ. de Saintogne," the king
said, turning to him, mildly, "that you
did use some expressions of that kind"
eyes, sire, and did nothing upon
them," he answered resentfully. But he
trembled as he spoke. He was an older
man than his antagonist, and the latter's
violence shook him.
"But does NJ. de Saintonge deny" St.
Germain broke out afresh before the
King could speak, t'that my friend had
made him proposal for his daughter,
and that he rejected it?
81 deny nothingp' Saintonge cried?
fierce and trembling as baited animal.
"For that matter, I would to Heaven
he had had herr' he continued bitterly.
Gay, so you say now," the irrepressible
St. Germain retorted, "when you know
that he is deadp'
81 do not know that he is dead" Saint,
onge answered. 'And, for that matter
if he were alive and here now, he should
have her. am tired; have suffered
enough
nWhatI Do YOU tell the King" the |