The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1906-10-18
oo,ys,onr. ,sO.. BY uasprr q snorHrIs
CHAPTER V.
Blu A. CONAN DOYLE.

&
neshy nose and powerful chin. lie
was dressed as became his rank, plain
IN ana yet wen. ia sad eolorcd brown
kersey coat with silver plated buttons,
knee breaches Of the same and white
woolen stockings, ending In broad toed
black leather shoes cut across with a
great steel buckle.
Ills doubts as 10 what his next step
should be were soon resolved for him
In very summary fashion. These
were days when. II the Huguenot was
not absolutely forbidden In France he
was at least looked upon as man who
existed upon suferance, and who was
unshielded by the laws which protected
his Catholic fellow subjects. For TWEEN
/ n years the strIngency OF the persecu.
I tion had 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
10 his unsuccessful appeal, Now they
/ tramped across together 10 where he
was standing and broke brutally into
/ the current OF his thoughts.
1 "Now. Hymnbooks, said one gruiiiy,
"get off again about your business"
1 The old Huguenot shot a glance OF
anger aud contempt at them and was
/ turning TO 60 when one OF them thrust
I at his ribs with the butt end OF bis
halberd.
Take that. you dogp he cried.
Would you dare to look like that at
the kings guard?"
''ChiIdren OF Belal" cried the old
man, with his hand pressed TO his side,
were twenty years younger You
would not have dared TO use me So"
"IIa. you would still spit your venom,
would your That is enough, Andre!
He has threatened the kings guard.
Let us seize him and drag him to the
guardroom."
The two soldiers dropped their hal
herds and rushed upon the old man,
but, tall and strong as they were, they
| found it no easy matter to secure him.
| They had hardly won their pitiful VIC
tory, however, before stern voice and
sword flashing before their eyes
compelled them to release their prison
er once more.
IL was Captain de Catinat, who, bis
4 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 guardsmen not only dropped
their victim but, staggering back from
the threatening sword point, one OF
them slipped and the other rolled over
him, a revolving mass Of blue coat and
white kersey.
"villaInsr' roared De Catinat. "What
Is the meaning OF thisF'
The two had stumbled to their feet
again, very shamefaced and rufiied.
III you please, captain" said one, sa
luting, "this Is a Huguenot who abused
the royal guard"
"Hs petition had been rejected by
the king, captain, and yet he refused tc
60"
De Catinat was white with fury
"And so when a French citizen has
come to have word with the great
master OF his country he must be har
nssed by two Swiss dogs like your" he
cried by my faith, we shall soon sec
about that.'
lie drew n little silver whistle from
mis- pocket. and at the shrill summons
an old sergeant and half dozen sol
diers came running from the guard
room.
Sergeant. you will arrest these
min."
"Certs.niy, captain" said the ser
geant.
"See that they are tried today for as
sauitlng an aged and respected citizer
who has come on business 10 the king
He was Huguenot on his own con
ession, cried the culpyts together
"llumf' The sergeant pulled doubt
fully at his long mustache. Shall w'
put the charge in that form, captain
Jus. aG the captain pleases."
"No." said De catlnat, with sud
den happy thought. Il charge then
with laelng their halberds down whil'
on duty aud with having their uni
forms dirty aud disarranged."
THAT is BETTER answered the ser
geant with the freedom Of a priv
legged veteran. Thunder OF God, bu
You have dsgraced the guards! Al
hour on the wooden horse with mus
ket al either foot may teach you tha
halberds were made for soldier
hand and not for the kings grasspiot.'
The Huguepot had stood In the back
ground grave and composed. withou
any sign OF exuliaiion, during TIM
sudden reversal OF fortune, but vale'
the soldiers were gone be and h'
Young officer turned warmly upon eacl
other.
"Amory. had not hoped 10 see your
.'Nor you, uncle What In th
name Of wonder brings you TO Yer
saiilesf
.'My wrongs, Amory. The hand o
the wicked is heavy upon US. am
whom can we turn 70 save only IN
, kingT'
j The young officer shook bis bead
''The King Is st heart good man
said he "Bnt be can only see th
world through the glasses which ar
held before Him. You have nothing Z
hope from him"
.lge spurned me from his presence. "
~pid he ask you your namef
ale ala, and | gave 4.
The Young guardsmaB whis,ied. lie
ps walk TO the gate" said be By IN.
fsi,h IL my klnsmen ARE TO come an
bandy arguments with 'be king u ma.
no, bs long before my ccinpsny and
itself without It's captain. What
amissf'
! ssTwen,y men Of Moab have bee
quartered upon ne, with ene paieer'