The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1906-10-11

ence over him was all so good.
And now he knew that the time had
come when he must choose between
her ard De Montespan. Their infiu-
ences we're antagonistic They could
not continue together. He stood be-
tween virtue and vice, and be must
choose.
ST. ch were the thoughts which ran
through the kings head as he bent
over the rich crimson cushion which
topped his priedieu Of carved oak. He
knelt In his own inclosure to the right
of the altar, with his guards and his
Immediate household around him, while
the court, ladies and cavaliers, filed
the chapel Piety was fashion now
like dark overcoats and lace cravIM.
and no courtier was so worldly minded
as not 10 have had touch OF grace
since the king had taken to religion.
II was the habit of Louis as he walk
ed back from the chapel to receive Pc
titIons or to listen 10 any tales or
wrong which his subjects might brinG
to him On this particular morning
there were but two or three-a ia.
risian who conceived himself injured
by the provost Of his guild, peasan'
whose COW had been torn by hunts.
mans dog and n farmer who had had
hard usage from his feudal lord. A
few questions and then a hurried order
to his secretary disposed Of each case.
He was about to resume his way again
when an elderly man, clad In the garp
OF respectable citizen and with
strong, deep lined face which marked
him as a man of character. darted for
ward and threw himself down upon
one knee in front OF the monarch.
"What is thisy" asked Louis. "Who
are you, and what is It that you
wantW
II am a citizen OF Paris. and have
been cruelty wronged."
'You seem very worthy person. II
YOU have indeed been wronged you
shall have redress. What have you to
complain Off,
"Twenty of the Blue Dragons OF
Laneucdoc are quartered in my house.
with Captain Dalbert at their head.
They have devoured my food, stolen
my property and beaten my servants,
yet the magistrates viii give me no re-
dress"
"On my life, justice seems to be ad-
minlstered IN a strange fashion In our
city OF parisg' exclaimed the king.
"And yet there may be very good
reason for It." suggested Pere Ia
Chaise. Il would suggest that your
majesty should ask this man his name.
his business and why It was that the
dragons were quartered upon him."
"You hear the reverend fathers ques-
ton"
"My name, sire, Is Catinat, by trnde
l am a merchant IN cloth, and am
treated In this fashion because ] am OF
the Reformed church"
The king shook his bead and his brow
darkened. "You have only yourself TO
thank, then. The remedy Ii In your
hands"
"And how, sireY
"By embracing the only true faith"
II am already a member OF IT. sire
The king stamped his foot angrily.
II can see that you nre a very insolent
beretic," said he There Is but one
church In France, and that Is my
church. II you are outside that you
cannot look TO me for aid"
my creed is that Of my father. sire,
and that OF my grandfather"
"If they have sinned II is no reason
why you should. Ny own grandfather
erred also before his eyes were
opened"
"But he nobly atoncd for his error,
murmured the Jesuit.
"Then you viii not help me, sireT
You must first help yourself
The old Huguenot stood up with a
gesture Of despair, while the king con
tInned on his way. the two eeclesias-
ties on either side Of him murmurins
their approval into his ears.
Bat the king bore the face OF man
who was not absolutely satisfied with
his own action.
You DO not think. then, that these
people have too bard nieasuref' sa''l
be. u hear that they are leaving niF
kingdom IN great numbers"
-
"ABd surely II Is better 10, sire. foi
what blessing can come upon eonn'
try which has such stubborn inhdeis
within It's houDdariesT
Those who are traitors 10 God can
scarce be loyal 10 the king remarked
Bossuet. syour msJesfy's power wouio
be greater " there were no temple. q
they call their deus Of heresy. wiuln
your dcininIons," ---...---.-s. -.