Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-08-25
CHAPTER V.

silent after bis repuise by the
king. with his eyes cast mood
lily downward and a face IN
which doubt. sorrow and anger con-
tended for the mastery. He was a very
large. gsunt man. rawhoned and bag.
gard. with a wide forehead, a large.
heshy nose and a powerful chin. He
was dressed as became his rank, plain
~ and yet well. In a sad colored brown
kersey coat with silver plated buttons.
knee breeches Of the same and white
wooden stockings. ending In broad toed
black leather shoes cut across with a
great steel buckle.
His doubts as 10 what his next step
should be were soon resolved for him
In a very summary fashion. These
were days when. n the HuEuenot was
not absolutely forbidden in France. he
was at least looked upon as q man who
existed upon suneTance. and who was
Gnshielded by the laws which protected
his Catholic fellow subjects For TWEEN.
~ years the strinEency Of the persecu-
ton bad Increased until there was no
weapon which bigotry could employ.
short Of absolute expulsion, which had
not been turned against him.
Two OF the kings big blue coated
guardsmen were on duty at that side
OF the palace and had been witnesses
TO his unsuccessful appeal Now they
tramped across together 20 where he
was standing and broke brutally into
the current OF his thoughts
Nov. HymnbOOks." said one grufsly.
get OF again about your business"
The old Huguenot shot glance OF
anger and contempt at them and was
turning 20 so when one OF them thrust
at his ribs with the butt end OF his
halberi.
Take that you dog~ he cried.
Would you dare 20 look like that at
the kings guard7'
children Of Belialr' cried the old
man. with his hand pressed 90 his side.
were twenty years younger y5u
would not have dared TO use me so"
'Ha. you would still spit your venom.
would your That f. enough, Andrel
He has threatened the kings guard.
Let Us seize him and drag him 20 the
guardroom."
The two soldiers dropped their hal.
herds and rushed upon the old man.
but. tall and strong as they We're. they
found u 40 easy matter 90 secure him.
They had hardly won their pltlful vic.
tory. however. before a stern voice and
sword flashing before their eyes
compelled them 20 release their prison
er once more
II was Captain de Catinat. who. his
morning duties over. had strolled out
on the terrace and had come upon this
sudden scene OF outrage At the sight
OF the old mans face he gave violent
start and. drawing his sword. had
rushed forward with such fury that
the two guardsnen not only dropped
their victim. but. staggering back from
the threatening sword point one OF
them slipped and the other rolled over
him. revolving mass OF blue coat and
white kcrsey.
Villains rOared De Catinat What
f. the meaning OF thisT'
The two had stumbled 10 their feet
again. very shamefaced and rufiied.
III you please. captain" said one. sa-
luting. this Is a Huguenot who abused
the royal guard"
"His petition had been rejected by
the king. captain. and yet be refused 10
go"
De Catinat was white with fury
And so when a French citizen has
come 10 have a word with the great
master OF his country he must be har-
assed by two Swiss dogs like your be
cried. by my faith. we shall soon see
about thstr'
He drew IA little silver whistle from
his pocket. and at the shrlil summons
an old sergeant and half dozen sol
diers came running from the guard
room.
Sergeant, you will arrest these
men"
Certainly. captain" said the ser
eeant
See that they are tried today for as
saulting an agei and respected citizen
who had come on business 10 the king"
HE was Huguenot on his own con-
fessiOn." cried the culprits together.
Hum" The sergeant pulled doubt
fully at his long mustache. shall we
put the charge in that form, captain?
Just as the captain pleases."
mo" said DE Catlnat, with 6 sud
aen happy thought. II charge them
with laying their halberds down while
on duty and with having their uni
forms dirty and disarranged."
That Is better" answered the ser
geant, with the freedom OF a privi-
legged veteran. Thunder Of God, but
you have disgraced the guardsl An
hour on the wooden horse with a mus
ket at either foot may teach you that
halberds were made for a soldiers
hand and not for the kings grassplot"
The Huguenot had stood in the back
ground. grave and composed. without
any sign OF exultation. during this
sudden reversal of fortune. but when
the soldiers We're gone he and the
young officer turned warmly upon each
other
"Amory. had not hoped 10 see your
Nor 1 you. uncle. What In the
name OF wonder brings you to Yer
sailles r.