The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-12-29
~ THE ~
REFUGEES
Blu A. CONAN DOYLE,
O Of
BROTHERS
Blu A. CONAN DOYLE,
COPYRIGHT 1893. BY HAMPER & BROTHERS

1T Is nor very severe one. LOU
zee this paper upon the table. 1t il
an order that all the Huguenots in Dly
dominions shall give up their errors
under pain of Punishment or captivity
Now I have hopes that there are many
Of my faithful subjects who are at
fault in this matter. but who will alb
jure it when they learn that it is my
clearly expressed wish that they
should do so. DO you follow me-"
Yes, sire" The young man had
turned deadly pale, and be shifted his
feet and opened and clasped his hands.
you are yourself Huguenot, 1 I'm
derstand. I would gladly have you,
then, as first fruit OF this great meas
ure. Let us hear from your own lips
that you, for one, are ready to follow
the lead Of your king
The young guardsman still hesitated,
though his doubts We're rather as to
how he should frame his reply than as
to what its substance should be. He
felt that in an instant Fortune had
wiped out all the good turns which she
had done him during his past life and
that now, far from being in her debt,
he held heavy score against her. The
king arched his eyebrows and drum
med his fingers impatiently as he
glanced at the downcast face and de-
jected bearing.
why all this thought" he cried
'You are man whom I have raised
and whom I will raise. He who has a
ma jors epauIets at thirty may carry a
marshals baton at fifty. Your past is
mine, and your future shall be no less
so. What other hopes have you?"
Il have none, sire, outside your serv-
ice"
why this silence, then? why do
you not give the assurance which I de-
mand?'
II cannot do it, sire. 1t Is impossible.
i should have no more peace in my
mind or respect for myself if 1 knew
that for the sake of position or wealth
/ had given up the faith of my ia
TIERS"
all that a man could covet upon one
side and what Is there upon the otherY
There Ia my honor"
"And is it, then, q dishonor to en-
brace my religion"
TT would be dishonor to me to en-
brace it for the sake Of gain without
believing in it,"
Then believe it,"
ALAS. sire, a man cannot force him |
self to believe. Belief is thing which !
must come to him, not he to it,"
ION my word, father" said Louis,
,lancing, with a bitter smile, at his
Jesuit confessor. II shall have to pick
he cadets of the household from your
seminary. since my officers have turned
.asuists and theologians. SO, for the
asst time. you refuse to obey my re-
luestY'
"Oh. sire De Catinat took a step
forward. without outstretched hands
md tears in his eyes.
But the king checked him with a ges-
ure. Il desire no protestations,' said
he. II judge a man by his acts. Do
-ou abjure or not?'
Il cannot. sire"
You see." said Louis, turning again
o the Jesuit. lit will not be as easy
IS you think
This man is obstinate, it is true, but
many others will be more yielding"
hat 1 knew what to do" said he.
Madame. l know that you at least
will ever give me the best advice. You
ave heard all that has been said
What do you recommends"
She kept her eyes still fixed upon
er tapestry, but her voice was firm
nd clear as she answered:
you have yourself said that you are
hc eldest son of the church. II the
ldest son desert her, then who will
% her bidding?'
Louis took up the pen from the table
nd drew The paper toward him.
Il have the same counsel, then, from
II of you." said he; from you, bishop;
rom you. madame; from you, able.
nd from you. Louvois. Well, if Ill ,
ONE from ii. may 1t not be visited up
n me. But what is this?"
De Catinat had taken a step forward
-.