The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1906-12-13
CHAPTER XVI.

there was held within the hum
bic walls Of her little room
meeting which WAS destined 10 cause
untold misery TO many hundreds Of
thousands Of people.
The time had come when the church
was 10 claim her promise from ma.
dame, and ber pale cheeks aud sad eyes
showed bow vain II had been for her
10 try 10 drown the pleadlngs ~ her
tender heart by the arguments OF the
bigots around her. She knew the Hu.
guehots Of France, Who could know
them better. seeing that she was her
self from their stock and had been
brought up In their faith She knew
their patience. their nobility, their In.
dependence, their tenacity. What
chance was there that they would con
form TO the kings wishf A few great
mobiles might, but the others would
laugh at the galleys, the jail. or even
the gallows, when the faith OF their
fathers was at stake IL heir creed
were no longer tolerated, then, and II
they remained true TO H., they must
either fly from the country or spend
living death tugglng at an oar or work
ing IN chain gang upon the roads.
The eloquent Bishop Bossuet was
there, with Louyois, the minister OF
war. and the thin, pale Jesuit, Father
la Chaise each plling argument upon
argument 20 overcome the reluctance
OF the king Madame bent over her
tapestry and weaved her colored silks
In silence while the king leaned upon
bis hand and listened with the face of
a man who knows that he is driven
and yet can hardly turn against the
goads. On the low table lay n paper,
with pen and ink beside IT, II was the
order for the revocation, and 1t only
needed the kings signature TO make 1t
the law.
And so, father, you are OF opinion
that II | stamp out heresy In this fash
ion / shall assure my own salvation in
the next worldF he asked.
you will have merited reward"
"And you think SO, too, NJ. BishopW
"Assuredly, sire"
Besides, sire" said Pere la Chaise
softly, there would be little need for
stronger measures. As l have already
remarked to you, you are so beloved In
your kingdom that the mere assurance
that you had expressed your will upon
the subject would be enough to turn
them all TO the true faith"
Il wish that could think so, father;
! wish that could think so. But what
is thIs|
1t was his valet who had half opened
the door.
Captain de Catinat Is here, SIRE
ASK the captain TO enter. Ali" A
happy thought seemed TO have struck
him I'VE shall see what love for me
will do In such a matter, for II it Is
anywhere to be found 1t must be among
my own body servants"
The guardsman had arrived that in
stant from his long ride, and, leaving
Amos Green with the horses, he had
come on at once, all dusty and travel
stained, TO carry his message TO the
king. He entered now and stood with
the quiet ease OF man who Is used
TO such scenes.
what news, captalnf"
"Major de Brissac bade me tell you,
sire, that he held the castle Of Portil-
lac, that the lady is safe and that her
husband Is prisoner"
Louis and his wife exchanged quick
glance OF relief.
THAT IL WELL" said he. by the
way, captain, you have served me In
many ways OF late and always with
success | hear, Louvois, that De la
Sale Is dead OF the smallpox"
"He died yesterday, sire"
"Then | desire that you make cut |
the vacant commission OF major TO |
~ de Catinat. Let me be the first to
congratulate you, major, upon your
promotion"
De Catinat kissed the hand which |
the monarch held out TO him.
MAY be worthy OF your kindness,
SIRE
you would do what you could to
serve me, would you noti Then l !
shall put your fidelity TO the proof"
II am ready for any proof
ut is not very severe one. You
zee this paper upon the table. 1t ia
an order that all the Huguenots In my .
domInions shall give up their errors,
under pain OF punishment or captivity. |
Now have hopes that there are many /
OF my faithful subjects who are at
fault In this matter, but who will nb- \
jure It when they learn that II is my |
clearly expressed wish that they /
should do so. DO you follow meY'
"Yes, sire The young man had
turned deadly pale. and he shifted his 4
feet and opened and clasped his hands. I
you are yourself II Huguenot, un-
derstand. would gladly have you.
then, as a first fruit Of this great meas
ure. Let us hear from your own lips
that you. for one, are ready 10 follow
the lead Of your king
The young guardsman still hesiiated, A
though his doubts were rather as TO I
how be should frame his reply than as
TO what It's substance should be. He
felt that In an instant Fortune had 4
wiped out sil the good turns which she
had done him during his past life and
that now. FAR from being In her debt, I
be held heavy score against ber, The 4
king archei his eyebrows and drum 4
med his fingers impatiently as he 4
glanced at the downcast face and de
jeciei bearing
why all this thought he cried.
you are d man whom ! have raised
aud whom | will raise. He who has
majors cl,auicts a, thirty may carry a
marshai's baton at nfy Your pas, Is
mine. and your future shall be- no less
so What other hopes have your
4 have none. sire. outside your serv' Z
Ice"
why this silence, tbcni Why do
you NOT give the assurance which de- 4
mandr'
4 eanno; do II. sire. II Is impossible. .
I should have no more peace In my