The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1912-04-06

tention.
of his descendants had been specifically
preserved by royal decree you would
accept our offer?"
"Yes," said l, cor at least I would
give it serious consideration" l added,
with laugh.
The king turned slowly and for
space kept his eyes fixed steadily on
my face, as though searching there for
an answer to something about which
his mind was undecided. Have you
ever had q monarch or one high In
authority look at you so? If you have
you are likely to remember 1t many
days.
Then he arose abruptly and, crossing
to large vault built In far corner,
returned with heavy black box curl
ously bound with brass and inlaid with
silver. Placing it on the table between
us, he took from his watch chain n
small antique key, and, pushing 1t with
a queer side motion into the lock, 1t
| opened with sharp snap, and he threw
| back the lid. Then he lifted out thick
leather covered book with heavy metal
hinges.
He shot quick glance at me as he
opened the book and began to turn the
heavy parchment pages, which could
see were illumined in beautiful colors
and with strange, large lettering.
Presently these ended, and the char
acters seemed to be in ancient script,
which gradually grew more modern.
At one Of these later pages the king
stopped and addressed me:
"You have said that unless Hugo's
rights and the Dalberg legitimacy Of
his descendants were preserved by
special decree made during Hugo's
life you would decline to return to
court" He paused moment, then
went on: ut would almost seem that
old Henry had some presentiment Of
a certain stubborn minded grandchild,
for he provided for just such con-
dition as you have made. This book
Is the laws Of the house Of Dalberg.
Listen to what is written touching
Hugo, son Of Henry I'LL"
Instinctively l arose and stood at at
|
tention.
The king read:
"Section one hundred twenty-first. For
inasmuch as our second son, Hugo, hath
in defiance of our specific prohibition this
day left our kingdom and gone over sea
4 to the North American colonies Of Great
Britain, there to join the forces of one
George Washington, who is leading re-
volt against his lawful sovereign the king
of England. with whom l am at peace.
II Is hereby decreed that the said Hugo
shall forfeit all titles and emoluments
heretofore conferred. and his name Is
hereby stricken from the family roll.
From this day he ceaseth to be Dalberg
of Valera. HENRY III, REX.
Eye nth october. A. d. l777"
Frederick glanced up. THAT was the
Judgment" said he. Listen, now, to
the pardon:
"Section one hundred twenty fifth. Where
| as we have learned that our second son,
Hugo, hath served with much honor In
the American army under General Wash
ington and hath since the termination OF
hostilities married into a good family In
one of the said American states called
| MARYLAND and hath assumed residence
therein. and whereas he hath never sought
| aid from us nor sued for pardon, now
| therefore, In recognition or his valor and
self reliance and true Dalberg independ-
ence II is decreed that section one hundred
twenty-one. supra, be annulled, anil Hu.
COS name is hereby reinstated on the
family roll In It's proper place, the same
ms though never stricken therefrom. Ant
It is further decreed that the marriage OF
Hugo and the marriage Of his descendant,
shall be deemed valid and lawful, the
same as though their respective consort,
were OF the blood royal.
us that sufficiently definite, sirr' tn,
king asked.
at is very extraordinary" 1 said II
wonder.