The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-12-19

would not venture to misuse me thus,
and be SO free with your my dears.'
Indeed, lass, in that you are mis-
taken. I not only found you in the
garden, but I found your name as well.
You are Madeleine de Montmorency."
She ceased to struggle and actually
laughed a little.
How clever you are to have discov-
cred SO much in such a short time:
Now let me 60, and will thank you;
nay, more, I promise that if you ask
the Duke of Montmorency for his per-
mission and he grants it, will see you
as often as you please
Nov, Madeleine, I hold you to that,
and I will seek an Introduction to the
duke at once"
She stepped back from his. painting,
sank into deep courtesy and seemed
to be characterized more by ridicule
than politeness.
"Oh, thank you, sir she said. II
should dearly love to be an eavesdrop-
per at your conference
Before he could reply the door
opened by which he had entered the
park. .'.. -E..
'In the fields name, the king!" NUT
tered James, In no manner pleased by
the unwelcome interruption.
All color left the girls face, and she
| hastily endeavored to arrange in brief
measure the disordered masses of her
hair, somewhat tangled in the strug
gle. AS Francis advanced up the
walk, the genial smile froze on his
| lips. and an expression of deep dis
pleasure overshadowed his counte-
nance, look Of stern resentment
coming into his eyes that would have
made any man in his realm quail be-
| fore him. The girl was the first. to
break the embarrassing silence, say
! ing breathlessly: -
your majesty must not blame this
Scottish knight. It is all my fault for
| I lured him hither.'
Peace, child exclaimed Francis in
voice of cold anger. you know not
alone with the King Of Scotland?" IS
",rhe King Of 'Scotland!" echoed
Madeleine, in surprise, her eyes open
| ing wide with renewed interest as she
gaZed upon him. Then she laughed.
'"They told me the King of Scotland
was handsome mani
James smiled at this imputation on
his appearance, and even the rigor of
the lord of France relaxed a trifte,
ward girl that was not to be con-
cealed, rose in his eyes.
"Sire," said James slowly. eve are
neither Of US to blame. lis the ac7
cident that brought us together must
bear the brunt of consequences. |
| CdHIlOI lldIIS Md1y VI clluOlllC, dllSi
indeed I was about to beg your majes-
ty to issue your command that she
may wed your Constable Of Falaise.
If there is to be union between
France and Scotland other than now
exists, this woman, and this woman
| alone, must say yes or no to it. Pre-
missing her free consent, 1 ask her
hand in marriage
"She is but child" objected Fran
els, breathing a sigh, which had, how
ever. something Of relief in it..
IT am fully IT," expostulated. Mc,'ee--
leine, with promptness that made
both men laugh.
"Sire, youth is a fault which, alas,
/ travels continually with time, its anti
| dote,'' said James. eff I have your
good wishes in this project, on which,
I confess, my heart is set, I shall at
once approach the duke OF Mont
morency and solicit his consent"
The face Of Francis had cleared as
if a ray of sunshine had fallen upon it.
4 1.-The duke of Montm orency" he
cried in astonishment; what has he
to do with the marriage Of my daugh-
ter?"
James murmured something that
may have been g prayer, but sounded
otherwise. as he turned to the girl,
whose delight at thus mystifying the
great of earth was only too evident.
II told him he little susrsted who
I was said Madeleine, with What
might have been termed a gigglN in
one less highly placed: but these
confident Scots think they know every
thing. Indeed, it is all your own
fault, father, in keeping me practf-
cally prisoner, when the whole
castle is throbbing with JOY and fes-
1 tivity.'' Then the irrepressible priE-
cess buried her flushed face in her
hands, and laughed and laughed, as
tho this We're the most irresistible
comedy in the world, instead of a
grave affair of state, until at last the
two monarchs were forced to laugh
in sympathy.
IT could not wish her a Drawer hus-
band" said Francis at last. Il see she
has bemitched you as is her habit with
all of u.s.
And thus it came about that James,
4 the Fifth Of Scotland married the fair
Madeleine Of France.
ii WHEN HE WAS ILL,