The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1904-02-05

Copyri6ht 1893 {
ooh, God, monsieur, my wife. Celeste
my young wife! Only a year married
monsieur" He raised upon his elbow
taking my hand In both Of his, 1--WE
tried to go; tried to reach England
America, anywhere but France; they
brought us back, put US in prison; she
died-died, monsieur, Of cruelty and ex-
posture. then they cast her out like
some unclean thing; she, SO pure, SO
good. Only look, lying there, Holy
n mother OF Christ, look down upon her.
He turned his gaze to where his wife
lay and sprang up. $50
She shall not-shall not" and cast
himself again towards the guard. A
dozen men seized him.
Deeply painedtby his misery and the
horror Of the thing, I made my way to
the front, near where the body lay.
What Is this foul law OF which you
spoke? Tell me ~
My tone had somewhat OF authority
and anger in 1t, SO the fellow gave me
answer.
The law buries a Huguenot as you
see-such unholy flesh could never
sleep in holy earth. The beasts and
birds will provide her proper sepul-
cher,
Nay. but conpos her fittingly; here
is my cloak"
1T is not the order Of the king" he
sullenly replied. The brutal throng
c"ain gave assent.
IT'S not the law, It's not the law,
and bowed their heads at the very
name of law.
I remembered the governors GRAND,
could waste no time in quarrel
- NJ h ~ II M - E&F-~i - EtA - EHE.x.S V1l--y-
would$I have cast my cloak about her.
i inquired OF the man:
And what is the penalty should the
hand Of charity take this woman from
the highWay?'
ION pain Of DEATH
Then death let it be-" screamed her
husband, and breaking through the
line OF guard, he threw himself upon
his wife, protecting her with his pity
Ing garments.
Whilst I had been talking to the off,
Ger, no one observed the man come
stealthily to the front, coat in hand,
until, seeing his chance, he broke
upholders OF the law would not have it
30. They tore him viciously away, and
& stckened, turned from a revolving
struggle / could do nothing to prevent.
All these long years have not dimmed
the memory Of that barbarous scene.
CHAPTER v.
THEDECADENCE OF VERSAILLES
II was nearly noon on the fourth day
when alighted at the Place d'Armes.
the grand court yard of Versailles, and,
! fear I u but a sorry figure for a.
governors messenger. It appeared that
my dress at best was unlike tina worn
at the court; my fringed leather leg
gins, hunting knife and long sword diff
fered much from the wigs and frizzes
worn by the officers Of the guard. How
ever, I made bold to seem at ease and
accustomed to court as I addressed the
officer Of the watch.
Can you direct me, sir, to M. de
Serigny? I have business with him."
The man smiled, I knew not at what,
and regarded me curiously. I felt my
face flush, but repeated the question.
M. de Serigny,' he replied. .is with
Ass through yonder great gate, turn
to the left and inquire of the guard at
the door,.
walked on hastily, glad to be quit
Of bis inspection. Such a throng of fina
gentlemen in silks, satins and ribboIss
4 never dreamed of; ever the soldiers
seemed dressed more for bridals than
for Battles. / held my peace though,
Walking steadily inward as directed,
vet itelling, to stick my sword into some
OF their dainty tr%appings. At the door
! canle upon a great throng OF loungers
playing at dice, some throwing and
others laying their wagers upon those
who threw.
Standing somewhat. aloof was a
slender young fellow who wore the
slashed silver and blue Of the kings
own guard knew the colors well
from some Of our older officers In the
provincial army. They had told me
Of men. soldiers and hard fighters, too,
Wear;ras gpsat frizzled wigs outside
their natural hair, with-rufnes on their
sleeves. and perfumed laces at their
throats--but 1 had generally discred-
tied such tales. Here was a man
dressed more gaily than I had ever
Eeen a woman in my childhood-and
he seemed a fine, likely young fellow,
too. fear I examined him rafferty,
critically and without the proper def
ereiiee to his uniform, for he turned
upon me angrily. catching my glance.
see the kings colors before? Where
hast thou lived her all these years?
He seemed quite as much amused at
my plain forest garb, leggings and SER
vice cap, as I had been at his silken
trumpery. I replied to him as quietly
as might be:
I'm III parts beyond the seas we
hear often of the kings guard, but
never have my eyes rested on their
uniform before
Observing my shoulder straps he I'M
bent somewhat and inquired:
Thou Dearest the rank of c%aptain?"
Aye comrade. in the service of the
king in his province Of Louisiana. I
pray o direct me to the apartments
of NJ. de Serigny, l would have speech
with him"
He was a manly young lad >of
soldierly bearing, too, despite his effem-
mate dress; he turned and himself
guided me through the many intri-
cate halls and passages until we
reached a door which he poined out as
Serigny's. where. with polite speeches,
he left me alone.
Monsieur was out, at what business
the servant did not know, but would
return at two of the clock. In the
meantime I sought to amuse myself
strolling about the place. / knew I
could n ny way along the bayou
paths of Louisiana the darkest night