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

came hrrrying down the stairs. while
the three upon the landing advanced
upon their former antagonist. He slip
ped by them. however. aud caught out
or the old merchants hand the thick
oak stick
Il am with you. SIR" said he. taking
his place beside the guardsman.
"Can on your csnaille AMI fight me
Ike gentleman" cried De Cat'nst.
"A gentleman. UaTk 10 the bou--
geois Huguepot. whose family peddles
clothr
You coward. Will write liar Oh
you with my sword pointi"
He sprang forward and sent In a
thrust which might have found it's
way 70 Dalbert's heart had the heavy
saber OF dragon not descended from
the side aud shorn his more delicate
weapon OF close 10 the hilt. With a
shout OF triumph his enemy spranx
furIously upon him with his rapier
shortened. but was met by a sharp
blow FROM the cudgel OF the young
stranger which sent his weapon tin
King on 70 the ground. A trooper,
however, on the stair had pulled out a
pistol and, clapping II within a foot OF
the guardsmRn's head. was about to
settle tie combat once and forever
whe8 a little old gentleman who had
quietly assembled from the street and
who had been looking on with an
amused and interested smile at this
derry sequence OF events took a sudden
quick step forward aud ordered all
parties 10 drop their weapons with a
voice so decided. so stern and so full
OF authority that the saber points all
ciinked down together upon the par
quet flooring as though Il were part
OF their daily drill
Upon my word. gentlemen; upon
my word" he said, looking sternly
from one TO the other. In his gait aud
bearing he had a 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 a 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
ell France the only figure which loomed
Up as large as that OF the king was
this very little gentleman who stood
now, with gold snuffbox I'm one hand
and deep laced handkerchief In the
other. 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 bravest OF French
captains. the beloved Condo, victor OF
ROcroy and hero OF the Frondef
De Catinat raised the stump OF his
sword In a salute.
'FSeh. HEIR cried the old soldier.
peering at him. You were with me on
the Rhine-heh7 know your face. cap
tain. But the household was with Tu-
renne."
II wss in the regiment OF Picardy.
your highness. De Catinat is my
name"
Eyes. yes. But you. sir. who the devil
are your"
Captain Dalbert. your highness. of
the Languedoc Blue dragoons.~
Hey! l was passing In my carriage
~--a s@+v you standing on your head
I'm the air. The young man let you up
on conditions. as understood
Tie swore he would 20 from the
house" cried the young stranger. "Yef
VIXEN had let him up he set his men
npon ms. and we ali came downstairs
together"
My faith. you seem 10 have left lit
Os b@hind you" said Condo, smiling.
az he glanced at the litter which was
strSwn all over the floor. And 50 you
broke your parole, Captain DalbertP"
Il could not hold treaty with a HUI
guenot and an enemy OF the king" said
the dragoon sulkily.
You could hold treaty. Il appears,
but not keep IL. And why did you let
him 20. sirr"
Il believed his promise I have been
used 10 deal with Indians"
"IIehl And you think an Indians
word is better than that OF an officer
D the kings dragoonsY
Il did not think so an hour ago"
Seu are very strong, monsieur" said
Condo. glancing keenly at the broad
shoulders and arching chest OF the
young stranger. You are from Can
ada. presumeY'
II have been there. sir. But I am
from New York"
"AAA how came you 10 speak
Frenchy"
Ny mother was OF French blood"
And how long have you been In
Parish
a day"
Heb! And you already begin to
throw your mothers country folk out
OF windowsr
He was annoying a young maid.
II
sir, aud l asked him to stop, whereon
he whipped out his sword and would
have slain me had l not closed with
him. upon which he called upon his
fellows 10 aid him. To keep them of
l swore that / would drop him over II
they moved step. Yet when 1 let
him 20 they set upon me again"
Hem. You did very we'll You are
young. but you have resource"