Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-03-14
CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER XIV.
|HNN an eminence commanding the
HO surrounding country an un
1N0, wonted spectacle that SAME
&adD day had presented Itself tc
the astonished gaze of the workers in
neighbOring vineyard. Cleaning
with crimson and gold. 4 number OF
tents had appeared as by magic on Tie
mount. the temporary encampment Of !,
rich and numerous cavalcade. But il
was not the splendent aspect Of this
unexpected bivOuac itself so much rs
the colors and designs Of the flags ano
banners floating above which aroused
the wOnderment Of the tillers Of the
soil. Here cleaned no salamande'
with its legend. "In fire am ! nourish
ed: I'm fire die" but the less magnilo-
guent and more dreaded coat Of arms
Of the emperor the royal rival and one
time iailer of the proud French monarch
| Above. on the mount. rs the s::.i
climbed toward the meridian WAS seat
ed in one of the largest Of the tens
a man OF resolute and stern m!cl. who
gazcd retiectively toward the fertile
plain Outstretching in the distance. Ills
grizzled hair told Of the after prime OF
life. He was simply. even plainly,
dressed. although his garments wee
| of fine material. and from his neck
hung u heavy chain of gold His doub-
| let lacked the prolonged all! gro
tesque peak and was less pu!fei. slash
ed and banded than tie coat W0"l by
those gallants of the day who looked to
Italy for the latest eXtravagances OF
fashion. His hat. lying carcleSSly on
the table ut his elbow. WAS devoid OF
aigret, jewels or plume. Il he1i CO..
ering for the campaign rather than the
court. Within reach Of his hand stood
a heavy golden goblet Of massive Ger
man workmanship. the solid character
of which c0ntrastcd 18th the Grilhin,
| by Francis. This he raised TO his lips.
drank deeply. replaced the goblet Oh
the table and said rs much to himself
| as to those around him:
~ fair land. this of our brother!
Small wonder he likes to play the host.
| even to his enemies. We may conquer
him OH the ensunguined field. but lie
conquers us. or Henry of England. Oh
| field of cloth of gold"
but for your majesty to put your
self in the kings power?" ventured IL
| courtier who wore begemmcd tor
sadc and cloak of Genoa velvet.
Tie monarch leaned back in his
great chair. and his face grew harsh.
AS he sat there mnsing his virility and
| iron figure gave him rather the appear
| ance OF the soldier than the emperor.
This impression his surroundings fur.
ther emphasized. for the walls OF the
tent were covered. not with the -or
geous cGlorcd gobelins of the pleasure
| loving French. but with severe anG
stately tapestries from his native Elan.
ders. depicting in somber shades vari
Gus SCENES of martial triumph. When he
raised his lead he east look of ON
iuous GiSple.sure upon the last speaker
lad lie not once the English king
beneath his roof:' answered the mon
arch AT Amboise. where we visited
Francis some years ago. was there any
restraint put upon u.s."
\ grim smile crossed his features III
the recollection Of the gorgeous fetes
in his hoior OH that other occasion.
Perhaps. too. he thought of the excite
mems held out by those servitors OF the
king. the frai and fair ladies of the
court, for lie added:
saints et saintes. Twas palace OF
pleasure. not Il dungeon, he prepared
for us. But enough OF this. Ii is time
we rode OH. Let the cavalcade. with
the tents. follow behind
Think You. your majesty. if the
princess be not yet married to the pre-
tender. she is like ~ espouse the true
duke" asked the courtier rs Il sol
dier left the tent to carry out the Or
ders Of the emperor.
Charles arose abruptly. "Of surety.
He must have loved her greatly. else
Tile Gathering OF hoofs drawing near
er interrupted the emperor's rum.na-
tions. and. wheeling sharply. he ga2cl
without a band OF horsemen appear
ell Oh the mount.
"The outriders" he said in surprise.
why have they returned!'
They are bearing some one Oil Il lit
ter" answered the attendant noble.
"and-cap de Dieu-there is woman
with them
As the troops approached. the EN-
peror strobe forward. Out in the sun'
light his face appeared older. more
careworn: but. although ii cost him an
effort to walk. his step was unfaltering.
4 moment he surveyed the men with
peremptory glance and then. castin2
one lD5k Il t.:eir burden uttered an eN-
clamati0n lis surprise. howevc". WAS
|