The Washington times., 1902-10-12

| wen. out of the room except the priest
and we opened your collar. l told bin
YOU had fallen like that before. and III,
stroke passed off in sleep. He said You
carriage waited, and If valued YOU
safety would put you in 1t and TAXI
you out Of Russia He called so"vant!
to help me carry you. l thought abou
your jewels; but some drums began t.
beat, and l thought about your iifa!"
But Skenedonk, didn't my sister-.h,
lady led by the hand, you remember
speak to me again, or look at me, or tr,
to revive me?"
mo. She went away with the womer
carrying her."
"She believed in meat first! Before
said word she knew me! She
wouldn't leave me merely because hel
| uncle and a priest thought me an i'm
postor! She is the tenderest creatnrt
on earth, Skenedonk-She is more like
saint than a woman"
Some saints on the altar are blind
and deaf" observed the Oneida. IL
think she was sick"
Il have nearly killed her! Rnd have
been tumbled out of Mittau as pre-
tender!"
You are here Get some men to fight,
and we will go back"
What stroke-to lose my senses at
the moment needed them most!". ),
You kept your scalp!"
And not much else. No! II you re-
fuse to follow me. and wait here at this
post-house, am going back to Nit
TAU"
II go where you go" said Skenedonk.
"But best go to sleep now"
This / was not able to do until long
tossing on the thorns of chagrln wore
me out. l was ashamed like a prodigal.
baffied, and hurt to the bursting of my
soul. A young mans chastened conf
dence in himself is hard to bear. but
the loss of what was given as heritage
at birth is an injustice not to be en-
dured.
The throne OF France was never my
goal, TO be reached through blood and
revolution Perhaps the democratic no.
tions in my fathers breast have found
wider scope in mine. wanted to in
fiuence men, and felt even at that
time that / could do It; but being king
was less TO my mind than being ac-
knowledged dauphin, and brother, and
named with my real name.
took my fists in my hands and swore
to force recognition, il l battered
lifetime on Mittau.
AT daylight our post-horses were put
to the chaise and l gave the position
orders myself The little fellow bowed
himself nearly double, and said that
troops were moving behind us to join
the allied forces against Napoleon.
At once the prospect Of being shared
among armies and cut off from all re-
turn TO Paris. appalled, me as a greater
present calamity than being cast out OF
Mittau. Mittau could wait for another
expedition.
Very WE'LL" said. Take the road
to France"
We met August rains. We were
begged. A bridge broke under US. We
lodged Austrian troops. 1t seemed
even then a fated thing that French
man should retreat ANONYMOUSLY from
Russia.
There is a de7ilish antagonism OF in
animate and senseless things. begun by
discord in ourselves. which works nm
reasonable torture. Our return was an
abominable journal which / VIII not re-
count. and going with it was mortify-
ing facility for drawing opposing forces.
However, | knew my friend the mar
auis expected me to return defeated.
He gave me my opportunity as chiid
is INDUCED with dangerous piaything.
to teach it caution.
He would be in his chateau OF Piessy,
cutting off two days posting to Paris.
And after the first sharp pangs OF
cbagrin and shame at losing the
fortune he had placed in my hands,s
looked forward with impatience to our
1--WE have nothing, skenedonk!" / ex-
claimed the first time there was occa-
sion for money on the road. 'How have
Won been able to post? The money and
the jewel case are gone.
I'VE have two bags OF money and the
snuffbox." said the Oneida. Il hid
them in the post carriage"
"But had the key of the jewel
case"
'You are a good sleeper" responded
skenedonk.
/ blessed him heartily for his fore
thought, and he said II he had known
| was fool he would not have told
me we carried the jewel-case into Rus
sia
dared not let myself think Of Madame
de Ferrier. The plan of buying back
her estates. which | had nurtured In
the bottom of my heart. was now more
than America.
One bag of coin was spent in Paris.
but three remained there with Doctor
Chantry. We had money. though the
more valuable treasure stayed in Mittau.
In the sloping hills and green vines
Of Champagne we were no longer
harassed dodging troops, and slept the
last night of our posting at Epernay
Taking the road early next morning.
began to watch for Plessy too soon,
itbout forac,vtipy that 7 Was NOT 70 co.
foot within its walls.