Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-03-28

marked his bearing; dignity. pride. lie
looked not ut the young girl. but calm
" met the scrutiny of the king. The
latter surveyed him from head TO foot,
then suddenly stared hard at sword
whose hilt cleaned even brighter ;hln
his own and was fashioned in form
that recalled not imperfectly hazard
Of other days.
Where did you get that blaGc!" he
asked abruptly.
From the daughter of the consta-
BILE Of Dubrois."
"Why did she give it to youT
"ro protect her, sire"
The III )narch's cOuntenlncc Le2in;c
more thoughtful. less acrimonious. How
the present seemed involved III the
past! Were kings. tlien. enmcShti III
the web Of their own act5: y c1e
even the gods not exempt from rei'.o;'
tory Justice? Those were days o! 81
perstition. when coincidence rs N
ed the Importance of inexorab'e LeS'
tiny. -.
"Once WAS it drawn against me-.
said Francis rcfectively.
81 trust. sire. it may never again be
drawn by an enemy of your NJ. itS.y.
The king did not reply, but stood rs
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 rightE
Then swiftly he regarded the girl
As quickly-a flash 1t seemed-her dark
eyes made answer. their languaS2 inor,
potent than words. He could lat IN
derstand. Doubt and misgivinc were
forgotten; the hesitation vanished from
his manner Hastily crossing ID her
side. he took her hand and unresistlng'
" 1t lay in his. His heart beat faster
Her sudden acquiescence filled nm
with wonder. At the same time his
task seemed easier. To protect her
now. The king coughel ironically.
and the duke turned from her to him.
by what right. your majesty" he
said i'm a voice which sounded diiler-
ent to Francis This lady is my AZ
tianced bride, sire"
Piuue, umbrase, mingled in the eX-
preston which replaced all other feel
ing on the kings countenance aS lie
heard this announcement. with mani
fest displeasure he looked from one to
the other.
SIS this true, mademoiselle:" he
asked sternly.
Her cheek was red. but she held her
self Draycly.
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 III that
court which Marguerite called :he
court of love. they plishted their troth.
Something in their manner, however,
puzzled the observant king-an %ai-
tation perhaps uncalled for by the SIM
p,e telling Of secret understanding
between them. that rapid interchange
of rluuces. that significance of man
ner when the duke stepped to her side.
Francis bit his lips.
MA fol" he exclaimed sharply
This is somewhat abrupt. How long,
NV lord. since she promised to be your
wife,"
"Since your majesty spoke return
ell the duke TRANQUILITY.
And before thatT'
Before! only knew that l loved
her. sire"
"And now you know for the first
time that she loves youT added the
king dryly. But the emperor-are you
not prcsuming overmuch that he VIII
give his consent? Or think you'-with
aps iouy-"that marriages of state
~ wade in hcaven!"
"It was once my privilege, sire, SO TO
serve the emperor, as his majesty
thought, that he bade me ask Of linn
what I would, when would. Hereto
fore have | had nothing to ask; now
everything"
Some of the asperity faded from
Francis glance The situation appeal
ed to his strong penchant for merry
plaisantcric. Besides. such was his
overwccning pride, to hear a woman
confess she cared for another dam!'eh
ed his own ardor instead of stllnulat'
in; it. None but himself could DE MS
parallel" The royal lover could brook
no rival. Had she merely desired 10
marry the former fool-the Countess oi
Chuteaubrant had had Il husband
but to love him!
After all. she was but an audaclous
slip of girl. dark browcd. bold
gypsy. by n#ture intended for TIE mot
ley-yes. the Duchesse GEtampeS WAS
right. Then he liked not her parent
age She WIS constant reminder OF
one who hao been like to make vacant
the throne Df France and to destroy