The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-06-20
THE CHILDREN
Death of the Dauphin.


The little dauphin Is III; the little
dauphin will die In all the churches
of the kingdom the holy sacrament is
laid ready night and day. and tapers
are burning for the recovery of the roy
al child. The streets Of the old town
are sad and silent. the bells ring no
more, the carriages are driven very
slowly. The entire castle Is in state
of anxiety. The chamberlains and ma
jor domOs go up and down the stair
case and run through the marble halls
The galleries are filed with pages and
courtiers In silk clothing who go from
group to group collecting later news in
a low voice On the large porches can
be seen the ladies Of honor bathed in
tears. bowling their heads and wipinS
their eyes with pretty embroidered
handkerchiefs And the king, where is
his majesty the kingI The king has
shut himself up in a room IN the remote
part of the castle Their majestics do
not like to be seen weeping. But the
queen that Is different. Seated by the
little princes pillow. her beautiful face
bathed in tears. she sobs bitterly before
every one, just as peasant mother
would.
In his lace crib is the little dauphin,
whittier than the cushions on which he
reposcs. They think he Is sleeping, but
no. the little dauphin does not sleep.
He turns toward his mother. and, see
ing that she weeps. he says to her:
Madame. my queen. why do you
weep? DO you think truly that | am
going to die?" The queen wishes 10
reply, hut sobs prevent her speaking.
Pray do not cry. madame, my queen.
You forget that am the dauphin, and
dauphins cannot die thus" The queen
sobs more bitterly still, and the little
dauphin begins to be frightened.
"HOlaw he says. Il do not wish 10
have Death come and take me, and |
shall know how TO prevent his coming
here. Bring forth 40 lancers, our
strongest. to mount guard around our
bed: 100 cannon. night and day; torches
lighted beneath our windows" The
queen gives a sign TO please the royal
child. Forthwith one can hear heavy
cannon being rolled across the court
yard. and 40 soldiers, halberds In hand.
come and range themselves about the
room. They are veterans, with gray
mustaches. The little dauphn clasps
his hand feebly as he sees them, and.
recognizing one. he calls him by name,
"LOrrain. Lorrain" The old soldier
takes step toward the bed. IL love
you well. my good Lorrain. Let me
see your big sword. If Death comes 10
take me. we must kill him. must we
notT LOrrain replies. Yes. monsei-
gneur." as the big tears roll down his
bronzed cheeks.
At this moment the chaplain APP
proaches the little dauphin and talks to
him for some time in low tone. show
ing him a crucifiX. The little dauphin
listens with an astOnished air, then
suddenly interrupting, Il understand
very we'll what you say, NJ. rAbbe, but
after all could not my little friend Bep
DO die in my place If we were to give
him a great deal Of money!"
The chaplain continues talking in a
low voice, and the little dauphin looks
more and more astonished. Then he
adds. turning to his mother: Have my
finest garments brought. my ermlne
cloak and velvet slippers. wish TO
array myself for the angels and enter
paradise dressed as a dauphin. "-"Let-
tiers From My Windmill"