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

| of short duration. At once his fea-
lures resumed their customary rigor.
"What does this mean:" he asked
shortly, addressing the leader OF tie
soldiers. rs he badly hurt"
''That ,...!..~. 49,. '... i!iJeSty'
replied tie EiIa. 2t.c .e! upon
his leg. Sirh is bad ! bruised. and
there may he oii.ef Injuries
Where did you find him. continued
the emperor. still regarding the pale
face of the plaisant.
Not far from here, your majesty.
The woman was sitting in the road,
holding his head"
Charles giuhce swiftly sought the
jestress and then returned
They were being pursued. for short
ly after we came squad OF men ap-
peared from the opposite direction.
When they saw us they fled. The wo-
man insisted upon being brought here
when she learned of your majesty's
presence"
Take the injured man into the next
tent and see he has every care As for
the woman will speak with her
alone"
Your majesty's orders to break
camp began the courter.
I'VE have changed our mind and Will
remain here for the present" And the
emperor without further words turned
and re c-entcred his pavilion.
\ shadow fell across the tapestry,
and he saw before him. kneelinS Oh the
rug. the figure of Il woman. For her II
was IN inauspiciouS interruption. with
almost a frown Charles surveyed the
young girl. The reflection OF dark col
ors from the hangings and tapestries
softencd the pallor Of her face. Her
hair hung about her in disorder. Her
figure. though meanly CARRIED, was re-
plete with youth and grace. Silent she
continued in the posture of Il suppliant.
"Wel?" said the monarch finally In q
harsh voice.
Slowly she lifted her head. Her dark
eyes rested OH the ruler steadfastly,
fearlesSly. Your majesty commanded
my presence" she answered.
.Who are yout' he asked coldly.
II am called .Jacquelnc. My father
was the constable of Dubrois.'
mcrclul;ty replaced every otEer emo
ton on the emneror's features. and. mp
nroaching hcr. he gael attcntiyely III
the c1gntcnancc she 80 frankly M
.iftrl With climness sh" bore tint
piercin" Scrutiny, His dark. tronllei
soul. boxing out'oi his keen gray eyes.
met nm equally l)fty spirit.
THE constable of pubro.a. iol his
daughter" he repeated. The coH'tI-
bic WAS Il proud. naughty man: YEA.
overproud. IN fact You know why ne
hcd t. me-"
YES. sire" she answered flushing
resentfully.
"To persuade me 10 espouS" his cause
against the king. Many times have
nv good brother Francis and myself
gone 10 war" he added rellertiyely ana
not without Il certain c2nDla""n.H'
but then We're we engaged III troubles
I'm tie east. 10 keep the MO.lanmeians
from overrunning our Christian land.
How could oblige the constable by
fighting the Eeathen and the believers
in the gospel in one breath: Your IA
ther-for | am ready to believe him
such by the evidence Of your face ana
especially your eyes-accused me OF III
tie faith. But | had either to desert
him or Europe. His cause was lost.
Twas the fortune of war The fate Of
great families becomes subservlent TO
that of nations
He Spol.c MS If rather presenting the
case To himself than TO her. as though
lie sought u analyZe his Own action
through IL" medium Of time and the
trend OF larger events. .ittcntlvcly
she watched him with deep. serious
eyes. and. catching her almost accus'
ing look and knowing how perhaps he
shut!led with history. his brow grew
darker. He was visibly annoyed at
her. his own conscience, he knew not
what
Il did not complain. your majesty"
she said proudly.
Her answer surprised him. Again he
observed her attire the pallor OF her
face. the dark circles beneath her eyes.
Grimly he marked these signs Of pov.
erty. those marks Of the WEAKNESS and
privations she had undergone
~.