Charlevoix county herald., 1912-04-06

express their song in some verses
that | have written"
If it please your majesty" inter-
rupted harsh voice, II will ask
| question or two Of this rhymster.
The loyalty" said the king, "of the
Duke DAumale is too well proven to
give offense." Ho sank into his chair.
and the film came again over his eyes.
First" said the duke, II will read
you the letter he brought"
Tonight Is the anniversary OF the dau-
phln's death. If he goes. as is his custom.
to midnight mass to pray for the soul or
ner OF the Rue Espanade. IL this be his
intention, set a red light In the upper
room at the southwest corner OF the pal
ace. that the falcon may take heed.
Peasant" said the duke. stern
ly. you have heard these words. Who
gave you this message to bring?"
MY lord duke" said David. sincere
ly, Il will tell you. A lady gave it
me. She said her mother was Ill. and
that this writing would fetch her uncle
to her bedside. do not know the
meaning of the letter, but | Will swear
that she is beautiful and good
Describe the woman" commanded
the duke. and how came you to come
to be her dupe?''
Describe herr" said David, with a
tender smile. You would command
words to perform miracles. Well. she
is made of sunshine and deep shade.
She is slender. like the alders, and
moves with their grace. Her eyes
change while you gaze into them; now
round, and then half shut as the sun
peeps between two clouds. When she
comes, heaven Is all about her;
when she leaves, there is chaos and a
scent of hawthorne blossoms. She
came to me in the Rue Cont. No. 90"
1T Is the house" said the duke, turn
ing to the king, that we have been
watching. Thanks 10 the poets tongue,
we have a picture of the infamous
Countess Quebedaux."
Sire and my lord duke" said Da-
vid. earnestly. Il hope my poor words
nave done no injustice. | have looked
into that lady's eyes. will stake my
life that she is an angel, letter or no
letter" "
The duke looked at him steadily. Il
VIII put you to the proof" he said,
slowly. Dressed as the king. you shall,
yourself, attend mass in his carriage
at midnight. Do you accept the
test ?"
David smiled. Il have looked into
her eyes" he said II had my proof
there. Take yours how you will"
Half an hour before IL the Duke.
D'Aumale, with his own hands. set
red lamp in a southwest window of the
palace. At ten minutes TO the hour.
David, leaning ON his arm. dressed as
the king, from top to toe. with his
head bowed in his cloak. walked slow
ly from the royal apartments to the
waiting carriage. The duke assisted
him inside. and closed the door. The
carriage whirled away along its route
to the cathedral.
On the Sui viye In house at the
corner Of the Rue Esplanade was Cap
tain Tetreau with 90 men, ready to
pounce upon the consplrators when
they should appear.
But 1t semed that, for some reason,
the plotters had slightly altered their
plans. When the royal carriage had
reached the Rue Christopher, one
square nearer than the Rue Esplanade.
forth from II burst Captain Desrolles.
with his band of would-be regicides,
and assailed the equipage. The guards
upon the carriage, though surprised
at the premature attack. descended
and fought valiantly. The noise OF
conflict attracted the force OF Cap
tain Tetreau, and they came peltt-s
down the street to ;Es rescue. BuA
in the meantime, the desperate Dec
ROLES had tor. open the dear OF the
kings carriage, thrust his weapon
against IT, body of the dark figure In
side, ara fired.
Now, with loyal re-enforcements at
hand, the street rang with cries and
the rasp of steel, but the frightened
horses had dashed away. Upon the
cushions lay the dead body of the poor
mock king and poet. slain by ball
from the pistol OF Monsigueur, the
Marquis de Beaupertuys.