The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1906-11-08

NIlhX A%t tBufttt w St Ns@ss
And how, fatberr'
The mnrrlsge must be NJ once. this
very night N possible"
"oh. father. you ask too much The
king would never consent 10 such
proposal"
1t 10 he that win propose H."
And whyy'
because we shall force him TO. II
h only thus that all opposition can be
stopped. When II Is done the court
viii accept II. Until Il Is done they
viii resist H."
"what would you have me do. then.
fatberf"
.Resign the king"
.Rcsign himr' She turned as pale
as NY.
1T Il the best course. madame"
,l"Al, father. might have done II
last month. last week, even yesterday
morning."
"Fear not, madame. We advise you
for the best. Go TO the king now. nt
once. Say to him that you have heard
That he has been subjected 10 much
annoyance upon your account. that you
cannot bear to think that you should
he a cause OF dlssension In his own
family and that therefore you will re-
lease him from his promise and will
withdraw yourself from the court for
ever"
She cast n light mantle about her
shoulders.
II follow your advice" she said. II
believe that you are wiser than !. But,
oh, II he should take me at my word!"
"He will not take you at your word"
The king had remained alone In his
cabinet. wrapped in somewhat gloomy
thoughts. Suddenly there came q gem
tie tap at the door. and there wns the
woman who was In his thoughts stand
Ing In the twilight before him. He
sprang TO his feet and held out his
hands with smile.
"Francoiscl You herei Then have
at last welcome visitor, and It Is the
first one today"
"Sire. l fear that you have been
troubled"
II have indeed, Franchise"
"But have remedy for It."
"And what Is thati"
II shall leave the court, sire, and you
shall think no more OF what has passed
between us. have brought discord
where meant to bring peace. Let me
retire to st. Cyr or to the Abbey OF
Fontevrault, and you will no longer be
called upon to make such sacrifices for
my sake"
The king turned deathly pale and
clutched at her shawl with trembling
hand, as though he feared that she
was about to put her resolution into
effect that very instant.
mo, no, Franchise; you must not
leave mel You must stay with me and
be my wife" He could hardly speak
for agitation. and he still grasped at
her daess to detain her
"Some time must elapse before our
wedding, sire. Yet during oil that In
terval you will be exposed to these an
noyances. How can be happy when
| feel that have brought upon you SO
long a period Of discomfort? A day
would be too long, sire, for you to be
unhappy through my fault. II Is
misery to me to think OF It. Believe
me, 1t would be better that should
leave you"
"Never! You shall mott Why should
we even wait day, Francoisei l am
ready. You are ready. Why should we
not DO married now"
"At once? Oh, sire"
"We shall. II is my wish. II is my
order. That Is my answer to those
who would drive me. Let It be done
secretly, Francoise. will send In
trusty messenger this very night for
the archbishop of Paris, and | swear
that IL oil France stand In the way
he shall make us man and wife before
he departs"
rs 1t your will. sire"
ut Is. and ah, can see by your
eyes that II is yours also! We shall not
lose moment, FraDcolse. What a
blessed thought Of mine, which will
silence their tongues forever! When 1t
Is ready they may know. but not be-
fore"
The king was all on fire with the ex-
citement OF this new resolution. lie
had lost his air Of doubt and discon-
tent. and he paced swiftly about the
room with u smiling face and shining
eyes: then he touched small gold bell.
which summoned Bontems, his private
body servant.
"What o'clock is II, Bontemsr
1T Is nearly q, sire"
"Hum" The king considered for
some moments.
"Do you know where Captain dc
catlnat is. Bontemsr'
"He was In the grounds, sire, but
heard that be would ride back to Paris
tonight"
Does he ride alonef
"Tfe has one friend with him."
WHO is this friend--an officer Of the
guarlsy"
"No, sire; II Is a stranger from over
the seas-from America. as ] under
stand-who has stayed with him OF
late"
"A stranger. SO much the better.
Co Bontems and bring them both TO
me-
VI frusf that they have not started.