Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-03-07

Where did you get that blade!' he
 asked abruptly.
 From the daughter of the consta-
 ble of Dubrois.''
 Why did she give it to you?"
 "To protect her. sire"
 The monarch's countenance became
 more thoughtful, less acrimonious. How
 the present seemed involved in the
 past! Were kings, then, enmeshed iI
 the web of their own acts! Were
 even the gods not exempt from retribn'
 tory justice? Those were days of su-
 perstition, when a coincidence assum-
 ed the importance of inexorable des- tiny.
 "Once was it drawn against me-"
 said Francis rehectvely.
 T trust, sire. it may never again be drawn by an enemy of your majesty" The king did not reply, but stood as man who yet took counsel with him.
 self
 By what right" he asked finally,
 do you speak for the lady," A moment the duke looked discOn-
 certed. By what right?'' Then swiftly he regarded the girl.
 As Quickly-a flash it seemed-her dark
 eyes made answer. their language more
 potent than words He could but un- derstand Doubt and misgiving were forgotten: the hesitation vanished from
 his manner. Hastily crossing to her side, he took her hand and unresisting- ly 1t lay in his. His heart beat faster. Her sudden acQuiescence filled him with wonder. At the same time his task seemed easier. To protect her now! The king coughed ironically, and the duke turned from her to him. "By what right. your majesty?" he said in a voice which sounded differ ent to Francis This lady is my af- fanced bride. sire"
 Pique, umbrage, mingled in the ex- pression which replaced all other feel ing on the kings countenance as he heard this announcement. With mani fest displeasure he looked from one to the other.
 'Is this true, mademoiselle" he asked sternly.
 Her cneek was req. put Sue ucIu ueI-
 self bravely.
 "Yes, sire she said. A new emotion leaped to the dukes face as he heard her lips thus fearless ly confirm the answer of her eyes. And so, before the monarch in that
 court which Marguerite called the
 court of love. they plighted their troth. Something in their manner, however, puzzled the observant king-an exal- tation perhaps uncalled for by the sim pie telling of secret understanding between them, that rapid interchange
 of glances, that significance of man. ner when the duke stepped to her side Francis bit his lips. Ma foi!' he exclaimed sharply.
 "This is somewhat abrupt. How long,
 my lord. since she promised to be your wife"
 "Since your majesty spoke" return ed the duke tranquilly. And before that?"
 Before? I only knew that loved her, sire
 And now you know for the first time that e loves you?" added the king dryly Put the emperor-are you not presui overmuch that he will give his con ;ent? Or think you"-with fine irony-"that marriages of state are made in heaven:'
 Tt was once my privilege. sire. so to serve the emperor, as his majesty thought, that he bade me ask of him what I would. when would. Hereto fore have l had nothing to ask: now. everything
 Some of the asperity faded from
 Francis glance. The situation appeal
 ed to his strong penchant for merry
 plaisanterie Besides, such was his overweening pride, to hear woman confess she cared for another dampen- ed his own ardor instead of stimulat-
 ing it. "None but himself could be his parallel" The royal lover could brook no rival Had she merely desired to marry the former fool-the Countess of
 Chateaubriant had had a husband
 but to love him.
 . After all. she was but an audacaous SID or SlrI. Uark DrOWeu, DOIu gypsy, by nature intended for the mot ley--yes. the Duchesse dEtampes was
 right. Then he liked not her parent age She was constant reminder of , one who had been like to make vacant the throne of France and to destroy. , root and branch. the proud house of f Orleans. Moreover. whispered avarice. he would save the castle for himself. f a stately and right royal possession. b He had. indeed, been overgenerous in
 proffcring it. Love. said reason. was
 unstable. Hitting; woman. a will O the , wisp: but a castle-its noble solidity
 would endure. At the same time pol |, icy admonished the king that the duke
 was subject of his good brother. the emperor. and a rich. powerful noble withal. So with such grace as he could
 command Francis greeted one whom
 ne preferred to regard as an ally rafh- CT than an enemy.
 Truly. my lord" he said. not dis courteously. masking in a courtly man.
 ner his personal dislike for him whose sharp criticism he once had felt in : Fools hall, a nin.bie witted jester was lost when you resumed tte dignity of your position But" he added eau tiously as a sudden thought moved him .th;< I.tfv has annea rod Sornerba,