The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-01-02

the union, the brother had returned to the
convent, the father superior had cast
him forth, bidding him go wander about
the country and exercise his marvellous
eloquence on the peasantry. Tho sermon
which Chico had delivered in Girenhot's
stead at the secret meeting had been a
little too fiery for the father superior to
stomach Poor Gorenfiot was bewildered
and began to believe that he had really
drunk too much, gone to the meeting and
delivered the sermon which every one de-
clared he had.
Chico told the King his story. and so
Henri was not surprised when, some days
after the meeting in the convent, the
Duke de Guise appeared at the Louvre,
followed by a tumultuous mob, who loudly
acclaimed him. He had lain concealed in
Paris for some weeks; it was his nrst
public appearance. "Ah, my cousin
Guise." said the King; '.and have you
returned from the siege of La Charlie
only today? I am rejoiced to see that
you have escaped the perils of wer; but
danger knows you and fees. Really your
visit does us too much honor Sire"
said the duke, somewhat disturbed,
should not my first visit be to the
King?" Why" returned Henri, some
times returning warriors make their first
visit to some temple or shrine-that OF st.
Genevieve. for instance; the King comes
second my dear cousin. But you have a
proposition to make us; what is it?
Speak freely" Henri glanced toward the
Duke d'Anjou and saw that the prince
had turned deadly pale, while the Duke
de Guise had turned red.
De Guise, seeing that much had been
discovered, decided upon a bold step.
Sire said he, Il would speak to you
of an association of severa, million Cath
olics Joined in union. 1.-THE league,
call it the league interrupted Chico,
and De Guisa with an angry glance at
the Jester, accepted the suggestion Eyes,
the holy league" continued he; sit is to
support your majesty's throne and pro-
tect the faith and render powerless the
Huguenots." Several millions of men,"
unused Henri, and against these mil
Lions, my good cousin, how many Hugue-
nots are there in my DOMAINE -Four"
said Chico, at which sally everybody ex-
cept the Dukes men laughed. well,
well, come to the point, cousin What
is it you wish?" Sire" said the Duke
solemnly, to-day these leaguers will be
enrolled. But several millions of men
cannot assemble without the consent of
the King. And the league must have a
head. 1t is my desire that you consent
to the enrolment and appoint a head
II think you are right. as usual, my good
cousin said Henri. "Convoke your
principal leaguers. come at their head to-
morrow, and I will choose chief
The Duke then took his leave and DAN
jou was about to do SO. when Henri said:
"Stay, my brother, l wish to speak to
you" The King dismissed his favorites
and remained alone with his brother and
Chico. MY brother" began the King,
do you know am very happy prince.
If great ideas do not come to me they
come to my subjects. 1t is gerat idea
which has occurred to my cousin Guise.
To unite under one banner all Catholics,
/. to arm all France under this pretext so
that l shall have an army ready to march
against Holland England Spain, without
! alarming any one of them! 1t is a great
idea and shall do what can to recon-
pense the author Of 1t. Now am 1 in
debted to any one except my cousin Guise
for this royal idea. do you know Com
pletely duped, D'Anjou bowed and said,
ITO me. SIRE ITO your exclaimed
Henri ITO you, Francois. whom con-
TESS I have not always believed my
friend! All, how blind have been. how
guilty!" And moved even to tears the
King reached out his hand and grasped
that OF his brother. But my cousin
spoke of chief. That l suppose must
be Guise' my brother returned DAN
jou, "he il very powerful already and Is
of the House of lorraine ''True, true.
you touch the sore But whom could /
Hass, Francois, who would accept this
perilous postr The Duke bowed and re-