Year: 1867

strange to my old ears to call beautiful vision like
that your grandmother did well after the birth Of
the child, and all, but Agatha and myself, trusted
that the evil spell was broken but ah we knew
better than that for we had heard from the old but
Ter, in our childhood the whole story OF the family
Though others knew it not, we knew, too well,
there was curse on the family pardon me, mas
ter Robert, for repeating his words; they may Of
fend you; but only tell what he told me-"


$50 on with your story, my good PHILIPPE,
take no offence fear, as you do, there is curse
upon my family, that will never pass away but
with our name Ho Francois, bring me bottle
of Burgundy" These last words were addressed
to servant who was passing through the further
end ofthe hall The wine was promptly brought,
and Guiscard filed up the old mans goblet, that
stood empty on the table within his reach. Mo-
toning the servant to retire and close the door be-
hind him, Guiscard again settled himsefin his arm
chair in front of that occupied by Philippe, and
waited attentiyey the completion Of his story.


'I said" continued the old man, that your
grandmother, Rosalie Guiscard, did well after the
birth of her son. In month she was up again,
and her fair cheeks were as fresh and blooming as
before her confinement IF ever there was being
who had passion for horses, your grandmother
certainly had. She acquired this fondness from
her habit of accompanying your grandfather daily
in his rides, since he was unwilling to leave her at
| home. She was skilful rider, too, when they
first married. Your grandfather delighted in pur.
chasing for her the best and handsomest horses
that money could command and truth, it was a
brave sight to see them galloping along on horse
back, the handsomest couple in all the land
When your father was barely two months old,
your grandfather had two horses saddled and led
up to the door. Your grandmother was equipped
for ride on horseback but as the horses were led
up, her heart seemed to misgive her. She stood
rresolute and undecided and would, [ think, have
given up the ride altogether for that day, but hel
favorite mare, Queen Genevieve, pressed nearer
the doorway and by low whinny, seemed to invite
her to gallop on the green sward. That decided
the matter. She tripped back to the nursery to
give her infant one more parting kiss, and came
back with happy smile, but there was tear in
her eye.


''I knew you would not disappoint me Of my
ride, Rosy" said your grandfather, as he lifted her
lightly into the saddle and think an hour gal
lop will make you feel like new being"


''It will be delightful p replied the young moth,
er, her eye kinding with animation, as she adjust,
ed her foot in the stirrup.


'There now, you and the Queen are ready for
pleasant frolc' rejoined your grandfather gaiy.
IT knew you loved riding too well to hesitate about
going when you saw Genevieve ready saddled.-
Before you had our little cherub Of boy to engage
your thoughts, you were so passionatey fond Of RI
ding that used really to think whenever your time
came to die, Death would find you on horseback. "


'The two cantered off from the door as happy
and gay as young people, who have no thought but
for one another think see Queen Genevieve
now, with her milk white coat, and no Aeck or
spot about her, save her left ear, which was the
color of iron She was so steady and smooth in her
gait that one might have carried this full goblet Of
wine on her saddle bow without losing a drop from
the brim." ."


"It was in the month of June, and they had not
left the house an hour, when dark cloud arose in
the northwest and rolled angrily along. won
dered that my master and mistress had not at once
returned, but it was their first ride together in
some months, and they had perhaps prolonged
far beyond their ordinary limits, or perhaps they
were too full of other thoughts to notice it until it
was nearly above them. 1t came on with wings
wide outspread, like some terrible bird and could
hear roaring and cracking high overhead in the
air as it came near. could see the black cloud
lighted up now and then, as if by the glimmer Of
lightning, but there was no peal Of thunder. The
rain had not even begun to fall when heard the
sound of horse feet and going to the portco, IsaW
my master and mistress coming up at half speed
Mounted on Queen Genevieve, my mistress was
some eight or ten lengths ahead, her Aaxen hail


floating on the wind her cheeks were as red as roses
and her teeth as white as pearls, she turned hel
laughing face to her companion whom she was out
stripping in the race. Suddenly there came vivid
glare of light that left me blind for more than q
minute, and crashing burst Of thunder that deaf:
ened me for months.
"When the blindness left me, I thought saw
terrible shape, like man, but gigantic and dim.
standing where the thunderbolt had fallen. l ther
trembled for believed it to be the Avenging Spec
tire of which they told me, that has so often brought
evil to your house." The old mans teeth chatter
ed with a vague fear, and before continuing his
story, he half drained the goblet that stood within
his reach.


However that may be, master Robert, con-
tinued he at length, "my blood was chilled with
horror at what saw. Queen Genevieve had fal-
len in her tracks, and my mistress lay few feet
distant, on her left sde where she had been hurled
by the lightning, stone dead. Even the golden
bracelet which she wore, had been melted from hel
beautiful arm, and the diamonds were scattered a.
mong the grass. Your grandfather horse had al
ready managed to rise, and though bewildered and
stunned, found his wayto the stables. Queen Gene
We've lay where she had fallen, with her limbs
doubled under her, dead. I assisted your grand
father to his feet, but he was never the same mar
again. His heart was buried with his young wife
He was sad-sad man, ever after that day. W.
took up his wife, Rosalie and bore her into the
house. The flush still fingered on her cheek, and
a smile was on her lip, but she never moved again


''Such was the fate of two of the wives of the
Guiscards, whom knew and served. Your moth
er, need not tell you of-you know her story
she died, as the others young, master Robert
like rose bud broken when but half blown. All
me, it is a sad fate for an old man to outlive SC
many generations of young and beautiful creatures
who left behind them hearts that felt so keeny the
merciless shaft that laid them low Their story is
warning to us all, master Robert, to be kind to all