The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1906-10-18


"A rcntlemnnl Hark 10 the bour.
scols iiuguenot, whose family peddlcs
cloth9@
You coward I will write liar on
you with my sword point"
lie sprang forward aud sent In a
thrust which might have found Its
way TO Dalbcrts heart had the heavy
sabcr OF q dragon not descended from
the side aud shorn bis more delicate
weapon OF close 20 the hllt With
shout OF triumph his enemy sprang
furiously upon him with his rapicr
shortened. but was met by sharp
blow from the cudgel OF the young
stranger which sent his weapon tin
king ON TO the ground A trooper
however. on the stair had pulled out a
pistol and. clapping II within a foot Of
the guardsmnn's head. was about 20
settle the combat once and forever
when a little old gentleman who had
quietly ascended from the street and
who had been looking on with an
amused and interested smile at this
iery sequence OF events took n sudden
quick step forward aud ordered all
parties 10 drop their weapons with
voice 40 decided, 10 stern and so full
OF authority that the saber points all
cllnked down together upon the par
quet flooring as though II were part
OF their daily drill.
Upon my word, gentlemen; upon
ny wordl" ho said, looking sternly
from one to the other. In his gait and
bearing he had dainty strut and
backward cock Of the head, which,
taken with his sharp black eyes his
high, thin features and his assured
manner, would Impress stranger with
the feeling that this was a man OF
power. And indeed, In France or out
of II there were few to whom this
mans name was not familiar, for In
all France the only figure which loomed
up us large as that of the king was
this very little gentleman who stood
now, with gold snuffbox In one hand
and deep laced handkerchief In the
ether, upon the landing OF the Hugue-
not's house for who was there who
did not know the last OF the great
French mobiles, the brayest OF French
captains, the beloved Conde, victor OF
Rocroy and hero OF the Frondef
De Catinat raised the stump OF his
sword in a salute.
"Heh, hehr cried the old soldier,
peering at him. you were with me on
the Rhlne-heh? know your face, cap
tain. But the household was with Tu'
renne."
II was in the regiment OF Picardy,
Tour hlghness De Catinat Is my
name"
Eyes, yes. But you, sir, who the devil
are your
captain Dalbert, your highness, Of
the Languedoc Blue Dragons"
Hey was passing In my carriage
and | saw you standing on your head
In the air. The young man let you up
on conditions, as understood
"He swore he would go from the
house." cried the young stranger. "Yet
when had let him up he set his men
upon me, and we all came downstairs
together"
MY faith, you seem to have left III
tie behind you," said Conde, smiling,
as he glanced at the litter which was
strewn all over the floor. And 80 you
broke your parole, Captain Dalbcrtr
IL could not hold treaty with Il HUI
guenot and an enemy of the king" said
the dragoon sulkily.
"You could hold treaty, 1t appears.
but not keep 1t. And why did you let
him 90, sirf'
II believed his promise. have been
used TO deal with Indians"
"Heh! And you think an Indians
word Is better than that Of an officer
In the kings dragoonsT
IL did not think 30 an hour ago."
"You are very strong, monsieur" said
Conde, glancing keeny at the broad
shoulders and arching chest Of the
young stranger. "You are from Can
ada, presumed"
II have been there, sir. But l am
from New York"
"And how came you to speak
French
my mother was of French blood"
"And how long have you been In
Paris?'
"A day"
"Heh And you already begin to
throw your mothers country folk out
Of windowsw
"Iie was annoying young maid,
sir, and asked him to stop, whercon
lie whipped out his sword and would
have slain NE had ! not closed with
him, upon which he called upon his
fellows TO aid him. TO keep them off
swore that | would drop him over II
they moved step. Yet when let
him go they set upon me again"
Hem. You did very well. You are
young, but you have resource"
Il was reared In the woods, sir"
IF there are many Of your kidney
you may give my friend DE Frontenae
some work ere he found this empire
of which lie talks. But how Is this,
Captain Dalbeiti What have you to
sayy"
'''rbe kings orders, your highness,
are TO use every means which may
drive these people into the true
church"
"On my word. you look a very fine
apostle and n pretty champion for u
hoy cause" said Conde, glancng sar.
donlcnlly out OF his twinkling biack
eyes az the brutal face of the dragon.
Take your men out Of this. sir. and
never venture TO set foot again across
this threshold"
But the kings command, your high
ness"
Il will tell the king when ] See hlm
that left soldiers aud that ] IND
brlgands Not II word, sir! Away
You take your shame with you. aud
yon leave your honor behind He