St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1902-06-18

NV fJINr HdlAl enc w AAttt iAlNHii'
this intrusion? TITS but poor courtesy
which sends thee hither when l would
be alone"
She took me for the Duke de Bart.
The shadow of the draperies concealed
nv features, and | being somewhat
the size of the nobleman the mistake
was easy. l took a step toward her,
the CLEAN of my hilt flashing in the
light. She started, her hand going to
a little toy dagger which lay upon the
table at her side Suddenly the color
which had risen to her checks died
away, her lips parted and her hand
went to her heart.
= IN. de Marc" she cried, an. de Mare,
it's thou! Thou wilt save me from
this mailman"
princess" Ireplied, none shall harm
thee. The king hath sent me to take
thee back to Paris"
She smiled softly, laying her hand
upon my arm. Brave NJ. de Marc"
cried she, would l might
The voice Of De Rossel checked her
words, his face appearing between the
curtains.
Look to thyself, De Marcel" he cried.
A cry from the princess made me
turn sharply Beyond the circle of
light where the dark canopy of the bed
met the wall l saw an evil figure
cIoaked and booted, plumed hat upon
head and naked blade in hand. Twas
the Duke de Bart, who had entered
noiselessly through a secret passage in
the wall.
His eyes were fixed upon me in
mute establishment, nor methinks he
recognized in the intruder of the prin-
cess chamber the kings musketeer.
ASH wavered, my hand upon the hilt,
he advanced slowly, his eyes still fixed
upon my face.
"Sir," said he very softly, "what
would you with this lady"
The princess crept to my side. "Brave
NJ. de Mare" she whispered, trust
him not. A sudden thrust
"Sir," cried the duke a second time,
"What is thy business|
cat the kings command" replied l
shortly.
"Aye, the good king" he muttered
"We were to dine together. What OF
the kingY
De Rossel stepped across the thresh
old. 'The man is mad" he whispered
"mad as a hare. Beware, De Marc"
The sight Of him changed the dukes
mood.
"Begonew he cried; then Of a sudden
he lunged at me with his sword.
AS the blood drawn from the prick
he gave me in the shoulder appeared
upon the lace of my collar the princess
cried out, and De Rossel pressed for
ward.
Angered by the wound, 1 made Il
thrust my opponent through the body
but De Rossel thrust my point aside.
"Wouldst STAY mailman" he cried
"There is another way"
Even as he spoke my point, be1n
turned from it's true aim, pierced tn
dukes shoulder. He started back,
wondrous change coming over hin
The mad light in his eyes died out, tn
letting forth of blood o'ercoming tn
malady. With a bewildered gesture h
passed his hand across his eyes.
80 Cod" he muttered, "what thin
be thisW
Suddenly, before 1 could intervene
he threw himself upon his knees be
fore the princess.
MADAME" cried he, "tis the ours
upon my race. Twas for that sougE
to be churchman."
A look of great pity came to the Ii
dy's eyes. my lord" said she, Tho
art forgiven. The king
'"The kingw cried he. 81 cannot met
the kingv
With cry Of terror he gained b
!, feet and sought blindly for his sWOr
l thought he would have set upon
: and stood on guard, but twas again
himself he turned the blade.
J Quicker than thought he set the hi
: against the wall, pressing the poll
upon his heart so the steel pierce
. through ere any could raise a stayil
= hand.
| De Rossel bent over the quiveril
| body. Goods deathr he muttere
} "Tis a sorry thing. The madness
< the Duke de Bart hath slain hin
. Then, turning to the princess, W
leaned half fainting against my sho
f der, spoke he:
, ''Madame, the horses await belC
$ and the king in Paris. Let US ri
thither quickly. l warrant NJ. de Ma
:. will soon uvCome a nobleman."
d But what care | for what the Xxi
+ might offer me? In the eyes Of t
princess had read that which is
e in the gift of kings.