The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1906-11-01

Just come. Three long windows from
ceiling to floor took up one side, ana
through the delicate pink tinted blinds
the evening sun cast subdued and
dainty light At the farther side,
prone upon an ottoman, her face
buried In the cushion, her beautiful
white arms thrown over 1t. the rich
coils Of her brown hair hanging In dis.
order across the long curve of her
ivory neck, lay, like n dropping flower.
the woman whom he had come to 6as;
card.
At the sound Of the closing door she
had glanced up, and then. at sight OF
the king. she sprang to her feet and
ran toward him, her hands out. her
blue eyes bedmmed with tears.
"Ah, SIRE she cried, with pretty
little sunburst Of Joy through her tears,
then have wronged you. ! have
wronged you cruelty! But you have
come after me to tell me that you
have forgiven mew She put her arms
forward with the trusting air OF a
pretty child who claims an embrace
as her due, but the king stepped swift.
ly back from her.
"All Is over forever between u.s." he
cried harshly. Your brother VIII
await you at the east gate at o o'clock.
and It is my command that you wall
there until you receive my further
orders"
She staggered back as II he had
struck her. Leave you!" she cried.
You must leave the court"
'The court! Aye, Willingly; this IN
slant. But you. All. sire. you ask
what Is impossible"
II do not ask, madame; order.
Since you have learned to abuse your
position, your presence has become In
tolerable. The united kings OF Europe
have never dared to speak to me as
you have spoken today. Such things
are not done twice. madame. You see
your mistake now. AT q o'clock You
leave Versailles forever" His eyes
flashed and his small upright figure
seemed TO swell In the violence OF his
Indignation. while she leaned away
from him, one hand across her eyes.
"Oh, have been wickedr' she cried
II know II; know 1t! How could
speak TO you so, How could |. oh,
that some blight may come upon this
unhappy tongue! !, who have had |
nothing but good from you TO insult |
you, who are the author OF all my hap. |
pIncss! Oh, sire. forgive me, forgive |
me; for PHYS sake forgive mel"
Louis was by nature a kind hearted |
man. His feelings were touched, and |
his pride also was hattered by the
abasement OF this beautiful and |
woman. His face soft~nei
somewhat IN IFS expression as he
glanced at her. but be shook his head. I
and his voice was as firm as ever as he
answered
III Is useless. madame" said be. Il
have thought this matter over for a 4
long time. and your madness today has
only hurried what must IN nfy case
have taken place. You must leave the
palace"
Il viii leave the palace. Say only 1
thar you forgive me. Oh. sire. ! cannot
bear your anger II crnshes me down.
| am not strong enough. II Is not ban.
II il death 10 which you sen
tence me Think Of our long years Of
love. sire. and say that you forgive me.
Oh. VIII you not give your anger up
for mlnei Ny God, be weeps' oh.
arm saved. am sayel.'
mo, no. madame" cried the king.
iasbing bis hand across his eyes. "Non
scr the weakness of the man. but you
shall also see the firmness OF the king.
As 10 your insults today. forgive them
freely. II that viii make you more hap
~ In your retirement. But time has
rome when II 10 necessary TO review
our past HE and TO prepare f9 that
which Ia 70 come
All, sire, you pain ne. You are not
yet IN the prime cf your year. aud you