Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-12-25

for the kings of yours. plead through me
that you will take your inheritance"
! kept my eyes on Able Edgeworth. He
+, considered the padlocked book as an OBJ
ject in his line of vision. Its wooden
covers and small metal paddock attracted
the secondary attention we bestow tri-
hes when we are at great issues.
/ answered her.
THE men of your house-and the wo-
men of your house, madame-cannot die
tate what kings of my house should do in
this day.
.'wen as you appear, to know him. ma
dame" said Able Edgeworth, land loyal
ed"
She next accused me
You hesitate on account of the In
diansr'
off there were no Indians in America.
I should do just as 1 am doing"
f'All men, the able noted. hold in
contempt a man who will not grasp power
when he can"
why should 1 grasp power? 1 have
il in myself. l am using it."
Using 1t to ruin yourself," she cried.
ssMonseigneur!' The able rose. We stood
eye to eve. II was at the side OF the king
your father upon the scaffold. 4ay hand
held to his lips the crucifx of our Lord
Jesus Christ. In his death no word of bit
IerneSS escaped nlEn true SUI u II
Louis, he supremacy loved France Upon
you he laid injunction to leave to God alone
the punishment of regicides, and TO devote
your life to the welfare of all F'renchmen.
Monseigneurl are YOU deaf to this call OF
sacred duty? The voice of your father
from the scaffold, in this hour when the
fortunes of your house are lowest, bids
you take your rightful place and rid your
people of the usurper who grinds France
and Europe into the blood-stained earthl''
/ wheeled and walked across the floor
from the Able Edgeworth, and turned
again and faced him.
Monsieur, you have put a dart through
me If anything IN the universe could
move me from my position. what you have
said would do it. But my fathers blood
cries through me today--'Shall the son of
Louis XVI be forced down the unwilling
threats of his countrymen by foreign
bayonets-Russians- Germans--English =
Shall the dauphin of France be hoisted to
place by the alienT My father would for
bid it! You appeal 10 my family
love I bear about with me everywhere
the pictured faces of my family. The ia
Their whose name you invoke, is always
close to my heart That royal duchess
whom you are privileged TO see daily,
monsieur, and I-never-is so dear and
sacred to me that think of her with
prayer. But my life is here. . Mon
sieur, in this new world, no man can
say to me Come or Co 1 am as free
as the Indian. But the pretender 10 the
throne of France, the puppet of Russia,
of England, of the enemies of my country
"a slave to policy and intrigued chained
wanderer about Europe-O my Cod TO be
such a pretender-gasping for air-for
light-as 1 gasped in ste. Pelagie.- let
me be a free mana free man.
The old chlrchman whispered over. and
over
NY royal son.
My arms dropped relaxed.
| There was another reason. did not
give it, would not give it.
We heard the spring wind following the
river channel-and a far faint call that
knew so well-the triangular wild flock
in the upper air, flying north.
"Honki honkF' 1t was the jubilant cry
of freedomi ,+ .
MADAME said Able Edgeworth, rest
ing his head on his hands, II have seen
many stubborn Bourbons, but he Is the
most obstinate Of them all We do not
make as much impression on him as that
little padlocked book"
Her terrified eyes darted at him-and
hid their panic.
Monsieur Able" she exclaimed pierre
ingly. tell him, no woman will love him
for throwing away kingdomr'
The priest began once more.
You win not resign your rights"
mo"
AYou will not exercise them?"
NO"
"If postuone my departure from today
until tomorrow, or next week or next
MONTH is there any possibility of your
reconsidering the decision2
mo"
'Monseigneur. must I leave you with
this answer?''
Able
from France?"
~ understand
"Is there nothing that you would asl?''
81 Would ask Madame d'Angouleme to
remember me"
He came forward like courtier, lifted
my hand to his lips and kissed it.
with your permission Monseigneur,
viii now retire and ride slowly back along
the river until you overtake me. / should
like to have some time for solitary
Thought"
''You have my permission. Monsieur
Able"
moving to the door, he bowed again to
me, and took his leave.
His horses impatient start. and his re-
monstrance as he mounted, came plainly
70 our ears lie regular beat of hoofs
upon the sward followed then an alter
mating tap-tap of horses feet diminished
down the trail.
Eagle and 1 avoided looking at each 9th
er.
bird inquired through the door with
inouisitive chirp. and was away.
Volcanoes and whirlwinds, fire, and all
force held themselves condensed and
ouiescent in the still room.
1 moved first, laying Marie-Thersse'
message on the padlocked book. Standing
with folded arms l faced Eagle, and she
as stonily faced me. 1t was stare of I'M
speakable love that counts thousand
years as a day.
She shuddered from head to foot. Thus
a soul might ripple in passing from its
body.
II am not worth a kingdom," her voice
walled through the room.
opened my arms and took her. Vol
canoes and whirlwinds, fire. and all force
were under our feet. We trod them
breast to breast.
She held my head between her hands.
The tears streamed down her face
'Louis!-you are a king! yOu are king.
THE END.