Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-04-08


storm could not dampen his spirits.
For reasons that have been stated
the news of the demise of the marquis
whom the passengers had not known to
regret, made little sensation ON the
Two Sisters. Next day bark was
sighted out from Norfolk, and there was
q budget Of new world news and q
bunch Of Virginia Gazettes to furnish
matter for talk. A fortnight later the
incident, however full of moment ii
may have been to Paris, was well nigh
forgotten. They had not all Of them
Jarrat's reasons for remembering.
But as days wore on and calm sue
ceeded storm Jarrat, who thought
much, studied NJ. Armand with lazy
interest that in time, as shall be seen,
gave birth to plan. He gave the sec
rotary no cause to remember their
first meeting at the little cabin door
and schooled his tone to an insinuatins
friendliness. He even condescended to
game with him and to question him
amiably touching politics in France,
and more than one Of these inquiries
turned cunningly, as on pivot, upon
the young mans late master.
So month passed, pleasantly for
some, irksomely for most. Jarrat
watched the secretary boldly. The Sec
rotary in his own way watched Jarrat.
And SO it stood on the serene day when
NJ. Armand leaned upon the rail and
looked out across the shadowless waste
where the track of the blazing sun
stretched in molten dazzle like a
quivering spear of Gods.
Presently he felt light touch on
his arm and, turning saw the Vir.
gilman.
"Dreaming?' asked Cary. "Of what?'
"Of your golden land, monsieur"
The other smiled, then sighed and
leaned beside him. "a golden land, in
sooth. would it had no storms, but a
sweet sun dawning ever for it. Trou-
bled indeed, it was when I left it-more
troubled now as I return" He paused
awhile.
, II love the land" he said. ~ know
not if even France can be so lovely. Is
it SO? And do you love it?''
The young Frenchman's face grew
earnest.
"When was born.' he replied,
"France was good, monsieur-I think
it was the best land in the world, as to-
day it is the most beautiful. But Louis
XIV. was young then. Since have come
Pompadour and Du Barry. So it is
hof tn,
den underneath many other things. 1t
Is true that the ministers of the crown
have sold titles of honor-places in the
courts. Justice, the thing for which
your colony is now crying to England
this has been impossible to the poor,
the low. The rich buy it. Paris laughs
and does not care! There the wits lam
pooh the dignitaries, the young bishops
sheer at God and the abbes are become
elegant to kiss the hands of painted
countesses. But the poor, the oppressed,
the people, monsieur, what Of them?"
He let his gaze wander. A dreamy
light was in his eyes.
"Ah, monsieur, they have watched.
They have been waiting. They are
ignorant. They We're never taught.
But all this time one mantle exiled
| the glorious - he has been writing
He has taught that the unnoble are
not field beasts, that they are men;
that the noble and the peasant are all
one; that the poor must not be trodden
on"
''Voltaire,' Cary said in low voice.
France" Armand went on, ''has
been reading this one. The smith and
the plowman talk of what he has said
in the rows and at the forge. 1t is not
only the poor, the low, monsieur. No
bles who wear coroneted swords also
think these things. They, loving liber-
". would give their lives for their
king. There is in Paris club
BE paused abruptly. When he began
again it was in voice tnged with sad
ness.
Louis XIV. is dead. Louis XVI.
reigns."
Cary's glance flashed into his.
Louis XVI. is young and ambitious.
he hates England. An there were war
here 'twould advantage him to aid the
colonies"
Monsieur" declared the other, 'it
might ruin him. Listen! His own PEG.
pie are worse foes to the king of France
than England, monsieur. And aiding
the colonies here is putting two edged
sword into their hands! Even now
they have the wish to redeem France
But they know not how. They have
never seen such a thing. Power is all
around them, and it seems as If it must
last forever. So it is, monsieur, that
these nobles-these Of better blood
who love first Of all their France-I
could tell names-a Mirabeau, a La.
fayette-they would have their king
aid America. They have Joined hands
with men Of lower birth like Beau
marchais and made courtiers Of them
to the same end"
"But," reflected Cary, puzzled, "yor
say to help our colonies might ruiz
Louis. Why, then, would these mobiles
push the plan? Have they such hate
Of England"
mo, no. Not because they hate Eng
land as Louis does, but because they
love France better than Louis, and tc
save her they must even risk to ruir
him. There is more than one French
king at stake-there is a dynasty
These are not the middle ages, mon
sieur. In these days the peoples are
awaking. France, if she lives, mus
open her eyes. These men tell you OF
would jolt her wide awake. They
would have her smiths and her pillow
| men stop their toll to listen across the
seas-to hear the guns of a people who