Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-11-20

against the low horizon still lighted by
after-glow Some Mittau noises came
across the IA, the rumble of wheels, and
a barking of dogs.
When apprehension began to pinch my
heart of losing my servant and my whole
fortune in the abode of honest royal peo-
pie, and felt myself but poor outcast
come to seek princess for my sister,
guard stood by the carriage, touching his
cap, and asked me to follow him.
We assembled the broad steps. He gave
the password to a sentinel there, and
held wide one leaf of the door. He took
a candle; and otherwise dark corridors
and ante-chambers, somber with heavy
Russian furnishings, rugs hung against
the walls, barbaric brazen vessels and
curious vases. passed like a half-seen
vision.
Then the guard delivered me to a gen.
tlen1an in a blue coat. with a red collar,
who, belonged to the period Of the Mar
quis du Plessy without being adorned
by his whitencss and lace. The gentle
man staring at me. strangely polite and
full of suspicion, conducted me into
we'll lighted room where Skenedonk wait
ed by the farther door, holding the Jewel
case as tenaciously as he would scalp.
1 entered the farther door. 1t closed
behind me.
A girl stood in the center of this inner
room, looking at me- remember none
of it's fittings, except that there was
abundant light, showing her clear blue
eyes and fair hair, the transparency Of
her skin, and her high expression. She
was all in black, except floating muslin
cape or fichu, making beholder despfse
the fnery of the Empire.
We must have examined each other
even sternly, though I felt sudden CIV
4, hr-on zf "a
was so high, so sincere! If 1 had been
unfit to meet the eyes of that princess
must nave shriveled before her.
From side to side her figure swayed,
and another young girl, the only attend
ant in the room, stretched out both arms
to catch her.
We put her on a couch. and she sat
gasring, supported by the lady in wait
ing. Then the tears ran down her face,
and I kissed the transparent hands, my
own flesh and blood, 1 believed that hour
as believe to this
30 Louis-Louisr'
The wonder of her knowledge and ac-
ceptance of me, without a claim being
put forward, was around me like a cloud
''You were so like my father as you
stood there-I could see him again as he
parted from usl What miracle has re-
stored you? How did you find your way
here? You are surely Lcuis?"
1 sat down beside her, keeping one
hand between mine.
Madame 1 believe as you believe,
that am Louis Charles, the dauphin of
France. And I have come to you first,
as my own flesh aud blood, who must
have more knowledge and recollection
of things past than 1 myself can have.
have not long been walked out Of the
tranced life l formerly lived"
at have wept more tears for the little
brother-broken in intellect and exiled
farther than we-than for my father and
riothe-. They were at peace. But you.
poor child, what hope was there for you?
Was the person who had you in his
charge kind to you? He must have BEEN
You have grown TO be such man as
would have you.
Everybody has been kind to me, my
sister,"
Gould they look in that face and be I'M
kind? All the thousand questions l have
to ask must be deferred until the king
sees YOU 1 cannot wait for him to see
you'll Mademoiselle de Choisy, send a
message at once to the kingr
The lady in waiting withdrew to the
door, and the royal duchess quivered with
eager anticipation.
1--WE have had pretended dauphins, to
add insult to exile. You may not take
the king unaware as you took me! he
will have proofs as plain as his Latin
verse. But you will find his Majesty all
that a father could be to us. Louis!
think there never was a man so unselfish!
except, indeed, my husband, whom you
cannot see until he returns"
Again 1 kissed my sisters hand. We
gazed at each other, our different breed
ing still making strangeness between US,
across which 1 yearned, and she examin-
ed me.
Many a time since 1 have reproached
myself for not improving those moments
with the most candid and right-minded
princess in Europe, by forestalling my
enemies. l should have told her of my
weakness instead Of summing my strength
in the love of her I should have made