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


the jaded nation and proclaimed at an OPP
perfume moment, might be "a successful
toy. The sore old king would oil more
than the royalist cause. and the blessing
of heaven would descend on one who re-
stored the veritable dauphin.
/ never have seen the mos; stupid man
doubt his power to ride il somebody
hoists him into the saddle.
LET us go farther with our SUPPOSE
tions," l said. Suppose I decline?'
1 heard Madame de Terrier gasp.
The priest raised his eyebrows.
In that case you will be quite willing
to give me a signed paper declaring your
reasons"
II sign no paper"
Let me suggest that Monseigneur is
not consistent. He neither resigns mis-, sup
posed rights nor will he exercise them"
81 will neither resign them nor exercise
Them
"This is virtually resigning them"
THE able will pardon me for saying it
Is not. My rights are mine, whether use
them or not
''Monseigneur understands that opportu-
nifty is a visitor that comes but once
81 understand that the most extraOrdi-
nary thing has happened today that will
ever so unrecorded in history. One Bour-
bon offers to give away throne he has
lost and another Bourbon refuses IL"
lou may wen SdN II Will 81
in history. Excepting this lady''-the able
bowed toward Eagle-"there is no wit
ness"
wise precautions have been taken"
agreed This scrap OF paper may mea:
anything or nothing"
You decline?" he repeated.
81 think France is done with the Bour-
bons, monsieur the able. A fine spectacle
they have made of themselves cooling
their heels all over Europe, waiting for
Napoleons shoes! Will go snealSing and
trembling to rcnge myself among impo-
tent kings and wrangle over a country
that wants none of us? No, never will!
/ see where my father slipped. 1 see where
the eighteenth Louis slipped / am a man
tenacious beyond belief. You cannot loose
my grip when 1 take hold. But 1 never
have taken hold / never will take hold
of my native country, struggling as she
Is to throw off hereditary ruler
"You are an American" said Able
Edgeworth contemptuously.
eff France called to me out of need,
would fight for her. a lifetime of peace
full years l would toss away in a minute
to die in one achieving battle for her. But
she neither calls me nor needs me. A
king is not simply an appearance-a con-
tinuation of hereditary ruler
your position is incredible" said the
priest.
;'I do not bel. tile the prospect you open
before me. / see the practical difficulties,
but I see well the magnifcence beyond
them
Then why do you hesitate?'
81 don't hesitate. A man is contempti-
BILE who stands shivering and longing out
side of what he dare not attempt. ] would
dare If l longed. But don't long"
''Monseigneur believes there will be COM
plications?Y se
81 know my own obstinacy. A man who
tried to work me with strings behind
throne. would think he was struck by
lightning
sire" Madame de Terrier spoke out,
''this is the hour of your life. Take your
kingdom"
81. should have to take 1t. madame. If I
got It. My uncle of Provence has nothing
to give ma He merely, says--'AIy dear
dauphin, IL Europe knocks Napoleon down
will you kindly take hold of a crank which
is too heavy for me, and turn it for the
royal machine in the family. =
You have given no adequate reason for
declining this Offer. said the priest.
81 viii give no reason. / simply decline"
els this the explanation that / shall
make to Madame d'Angouleme? Think of
the tender sister who says-'Louis, you are
recalled
81 do think of her. God bless herr"
Must tell her that Monseigneur plant
ed his feet like one OF these wild cattle,
and wheeled, and fed from the contempla-
ton of a throne?'
''You will dress it up in your own felici-
tous way. monsieur"
What do you wish me to sayY
THAT decline. 1 have not pressed the
embarrassing question of why l was not
recalled long ago. / reserve to myself the
privilege of declining without saying why
I decline
HE must be made to change his mind
monsieur!" Madame de Terrier exclaimed.
Il am not a man that changes his mind
every time the clock strikes"
I took the padlocked book out of my
breast and laid it upon the table looked
at the priest, not at her. The padlocked
book seemed to have no more to do with
the conversation than a hat or a pair of
gloves
I saw. as one sees from the side of the
eye, the scarlet rush of blood and the
snow-white rush of pallor which covered
her one after the other. The moment was
too strenuous. / could not spare her. She
had to bear it with me-
She set her cIenched hands on her knees.
"Sirer'
I faced her The coolest look ever saw
in her gray eyes repealed me, as she de-
liberately said:
You are not such a fooIt'
| stared back as coldly and sternly, and
deliberately answered
ct am-just-such fool,''
Consider how any person who might be
to blame for your decision, would despise
you for ii afterwards
"A boy in the first flush of his youth"
Able Edgeworth said, his fine jaws squar-
ed with a grin, might throw away a
kingdom for some woman who took his
fancy, and whom he could not have per-
haps, unless he did throw his kingdom
away. And after he had done~it he would
hate the woman. But a young man in his
strength doesn't do such things!"
"A king who hasn't spirit to be kingi'
Madame de Terrier Knocked.
1 mercilessly faced her down.
What is there about me? Sum me up.
I am robbed on every side by any one
who cares to fleece me. Whenever / am
about to accomplish anything fall down
as If knocked .on the head!'
She rose from her seat.
You let yourself be robbed because you
are princely! You have plainly leII behind
you every weakness of your childhood
Look at him in his strength, Monsieur
Abbe He has sucked in the vigor of
new country! The failing power of an ola
line of kings is renewed in him. You could
not have nourished such a dauphin for
France in your eviled court! Burying in
the American soil has developed what you
see for yourself-the king!'
''He is a handsome man." Able Edge