St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1902-06-18
For the Honor of a Princess.

great accomplishments, hau disappear
ed from the court and with him the
Princess Alice. 1t was known to the
king that the duke had sought to be a
churchman, being of gloomy mind and
much given to moodiness. But Henry
having small desire to see so great
nobeman turn monk, had played right
skillfully the dark eyes of his royal
kinswoman against the church.
Strange it was that the duke had
not bided his time until the king were
ready for royal wedding. AS for me,
humble lieutenant of the musketeers
that | am, | knew that the princess
loved him not, for l had been chosen
by his majesty to guard her person and
saw her daily. Right we'll l knew
But that belongs MOI in this story.
The most important thing was that
my king had hidden me, in great Sc
crecy, to choose but one follower and
with him to ride to the dukes chateau
at NJ.
The honor of the princess rested in
my hand, of which fact Paris must not
know.
1t was an hour past midnight when |,
with the Chevalier de ROssel at my
side, rode forth from Paris. De Rossel
was in cheerful mood.
"Zounds!' said he, swapping his fin
gers briskly. "Methinks this Duke de
Bart hath Oershot the mark. Plotting
was bad enough, yet he must need,
having ridden with his princess beyond
the walls, lay violent hands upon her
person. Had he but waited, the king s
desire had given her to him."
70 my mind also came the thought
the man must be truly mad; but, de-
spite the weight of the occasion, some
thing within me rejoiced that it lay
within my power to undo the duke and
return the princess to the king, her I'M
| Gle.
The dukes dwelling lay some leagues
from Paris so the first dawn overlook
us as we rode from the forest which
surrounded the chateau on three sides
The place was of some strength, built
in the days of the kings grandfather,
so perchance some obstacle might lie
between us and an entrance.
But upon our reaching the entrance
to the dwelling we found it indeed
most poorly guarded in that the guard
had unbarred the door, the day being
full upon us. Moreover, perceived he
was no other than one who had served
the king, an ex-musketeer of mine OWL
company.
Seeing me, he stood open mouthed
saluting with much ceremony, mol
showed he any disposition to bar oul
progress.
Faith" replied he to my greeting
thou art come from Paris at a mos
early hour. The duke is yet abed
having come hither but yesterday il
company with his cousin, who suffer
from a malady."
"What noww cried De Rossel. 81
the lady stricken"
THAT she is" replied the witless fe
low, 'for the duke bore her before hill
on the saddle and hath given her i
charge of the women, bidding ther
look to it she commit no injury upo
: her person"
Game they aloneW asked l.
"Only the two" replied he. cal
from the king"
De Rossel plucked my sleeve. "'Twa
told in Paris" said he, 1.-The duke
kinswoman had lost her wits, and tt
, the royal pleasure we learn concernin
her condition. 1t is the purpose of h
majesty to send his leech to cure hi
if occasion warrants it."
The fellow nodded. "The duke
much in favor with the king" said h
. "Would see the woman who guards Il
, maid"
/. De Rossel cast upon me look of II
/ umph. "'Twere most fitting" repli'
t he, "for, the hour being early, tive
an i'll thing to arouse the duke, Il
: master"
e otis most strange thing" mute
It ed De Rossel as we followed the ser
d ant through the long and dimly light
e corridor, beyond comprehension, al
n methinks there comes a queer twist
e our Grand Either this duke be drul
y or truly mad; therefore look to it,
de Marc, that no trap be set for u.s.
40 ma unto tha door
q chamber, and the servant drew baC
lie signifying twas the room wherein W
C. confined the princess.
N $50 thou" said De Rossel grutf
IS "Thou hast done thine Grand" A
c. he put in the fellows palm a silly
N piece.
~ 81 will remain here" said he,
a man being gone, land if any come
he know our business l will deal W
al him" SO saying, he unsheathed
IL sword and took his stand beside
nS door, upon which l knocked softly.
CT A voice from within demanded W
III sought admittance at so early an no
eu when twas small courtesy to disturb
81 ladys quiet,
ne replied that bore message fr
~, lhe duke which brooked Of no del
III whereupon a bolt was withdrawn,
'n- door partly opened, and the face o
woman appeared.
In the dim light she noted not
person, but demanded irritably tina
Try dolivor tbe MESSAGE ouiclylv and