Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-06-25

ceeGad. But we completed the descent
as we heard them hammering at the
door, and q vOice-it was the kings
called out:
can arquebus, an arquebus"
Along the waterway on the roof Of
the store we ran like hares, Pompon
leading. and we had just gained the
stable and had put out the light when
we heard the door Of the room from
which we had escaped being forced in.
They would see the rope, l knew, and
we were still not safe. I whispered
hastily to Conde:
"Take the horse and ride for your
life! Go by the Porte st. Honore."
He was himself again, for the Bour-
bons never had the poltroon fever.
He drew the girths, bent down and
kissed Mary's hand and mounted in
the stable AS held the door open
for him he turned to me, saying:
Monsieur, 1 swear
But the hot anger blazed within me
at the man who could risk wOman's
fair fame as he had done-at the man
who had broken his word to his friend.
Rider | said. "Waste no time in
VOWS. 'Tis only prince who thinks
he can break his word without dis
honor" And following my words came
yells and shouts from the window.
They had found the rope. g
Conde made no answer, but bent his
head and gave Cartouche the spur, and
we heard him clatter down the street,
and l caught Mary's hand, and we ran
out together. l took her northward,
through passage and alley, until l felt
her falter, and then stopped, for she
was breathless and almost fainting.
But we We're safe. No one would rec
ognize a queen in the slight, gray clad
figure that clung to testers arm as
the two, followed by small brown
ape, picked their way along the mar
row pavement of the Rue st. Sauveur
It was then that she spoke for the
first time, and as she did so she with
drew her hand from my arm.
isis he safe, do you think, mon
sieur|
"Monseigneur is by now free Of the
Porte st. Honore," I replied, still CIV
ing no sign that knew her, but the
Ice was broken now, and she went on:
"Oh, it was folly! 1t was madness!
Why ever did l Gomez"
I'VE will get back safely, thank
Godw l said, but great fear was In
my heart lest the king should send to
order the Louvre gates to be shut, and
l hurried her on through the moonlit
streets. We went down the Rue Croix
des Petit Champs, passed behind the
magasins of the Louvre and at last
came to the gate below the riding
school. Once past that we were safe
indeed, for my little key would open
the terrace wicket, and then all would
be well.
"Take my arm," / said. Look as
much like q servant woman Of the pal
ace as your highness can."
She did so without a word. As we
came to the gate the sentry looked at
US narrowly. 1 stopped and addressed
him.
"My friend" / said, 1T is not yet 10,
is it?
"No, NJ. LIE Brusquet." But his eyes
were on my companion, whose hood
Il, hnt. fn zoo
"Goodw 1 answered. 81 shall be In
time for the kings supper. Come.
mignonne."
felt her shrink at the word, but she
played her part bravely and tripped by
my side as we passed the gate. We
were not n moment too soon, for as we
turned the strawberries horseman
dashed up, and heard him call out
to the sentry. 1t was Crequy.
HAS any one gone this way?
We stopped in the shadow of the
trees and listened. We dare not stir.
Of the terrace she s,ppI,l. and we
faced eacii other.
l shall never forget that night when
we two stood there alone. the quiet
moon looking down on us. the silver
light, the shadowy trees and the scent
of the roses that came to us with the
breeze.
1 saw my queens eyes shining upon
me, and knelt at her feet.
"Your highness will forgive me-my
freedom Of speech and all have done.
But there was no other way, and you
are safe now"
She threw her hood back and looked
down upon me with her glorious eyes,
and then, stretching out her hand, rais-
ed me to my feet.
m. de Besme," she said, "God has let
me know today what a true gentleman