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> oOOo oOOo oOOo OOOO < The QUEEN’S ROSES Iw * | SJL S. Levett Yc*t» o Copyright, 1901, by S. Lerett Ye»U 0 oOOooOOoOOOooOOoOOOoooS CHAPTER L „ i HOW POMPON BK(,'AMR AN ORACLE. ERHAF8 It Is bcoauBP the "IT\ tjnuedy of FoHjerlnRay ] | ‘in at 111 fresh In-my mind *—V that my eyea linger sad ly on the faded rosea 1 have taken from my cabinet and placed with tender hands before me. It is a week ago since- Rlnneheforet, on his way back from Paris, drew rein at Beame to give me the news of that deed of infamy and left me gunned and bewildered ns he galloped off, red ■spurred, fo bear the tidings to Male- There are those who say she deserv ed her death; there are stories, 1 know, about her, but they lie In their throats who rejieat then^ and I blush with shame for my poiintry that no sword waa drawn to save her who was once queen of France. As I stare at the tlowera l>efore me their delicate fragrance returns to them. They aeem to bloom again In their rich, crimson splendor, and tip* memory of thal night In June when I received them from the bauds of Mary of Scotland comes back to me, so that my heart Is full and my eyes grow dim- She was of those woiyen Istru to 1m* queens over men; of those women who come once In a thousand years, who are In themselves fin* emlxMlIed spirits of romance ami for wtnme smile men would throw aside life, rlehes. empire, even honor, as lightly ss a wornout glove. It was my fate to mine within the range of her power, and I did as the eewu poor jaaiUeuian "( y it, ‘ tv r ‘Ijorgnae, we.art* watched—spied up- Add yet I was not ina«1 TneTW In my heart was as If I bad met In flesh and bhssl that vision of tbr Iter- feet wotiisu whteh lie# In all men'* n as an lioiiH-asnrwItte tlla- iis I knew all dial I I, • »|ies I Itsiknl ills'll pherd on the in.oitiiai»t« sol tbo itiornlug star as • * aug< I light ll»sl bail *i*n). ) et never to lie for at me, and 1, too, start'd back In blank astonishment, for It was tin* Prince of Coude, the.-Hocond prince of the blood, whoifl we all 1 thought at the siege Of Marl< r iilM>urg. * , Ills face was haggard and wan, and he was gray with dust, as one who had ridden fast and far. lie struck nerv ously at his boot with his ruling whip, apil ns we looked at each other I no- tlcisl that In his clinched hand lay a woman’s glove, small and white.’ I took his words to apply to me and, recovering myself, hastened to explain. “Monseigneur'y Not spied upon by me. 1 came here”— Hut Condo himself Interrupted me. "It was not you I meant, Ia* Hrua- quot. It was-some one else.” “No one has passed this way, mon- aelgneur.” , "Then some one was In biding be fore we Came, Lorgnnr. Listen! I was Just about to come for you when I beard a laugh and a rustling In the hedges. I rushed forward, but could see nothing. At last 1 heard volees and came here.’’ Then, as Lf n sudden suspicion had struck him, “It was not you, Lc Hrusquet?” And he east a keen eye on me. 1 shook my head, and Conde went on, turnlngyagaln to Ixirgnsc, whose eyes were l>ent reproachfully u|s»n him; “Man, do not l<s>k at me like that. It was madness my coming here, 1 know, but I could not help It. And now—1 supiKtse It will Ik* all over Paris In an hour.” And he. looked at me once more. I knew well enough that the king was Isiillng with wrath against Coude. Young as he was, his brilliant achieve ments, his iKTsotial grace and happy spirits ’ had won nil hearts. Every thing that a subject ran hope for seem ed within bis grasp, and be was more than an ordinnry subject as the second prince of the Mood. Ill a moment all this was cliangevl. His coin mission as colonel gei i era I was t iikcn from him. his government of Picardy given to Coilgii). and he who In the morning was In Hie full thle of routg favor Intd hitmen‘off wr rtnott a*stwip4a v ilasli sr. d. ^ procession or bonis passing up and aoula Tber tauce belw • nursid n.i h* r as s si might gaze anuir wsimK to fottrm. A is I so. brs-au—* a b aoui* thing i*f tti«- was a<-eu*i->tiM-*l t<* <ls; and n»nt to »bp f Into ttml artlrtmwM ”f atrel, ted a« far as tin- tietwr* n the T**ur <!• It.li HI llomTe. an*I !•••• in mrhantist dn-ams I t». u.nger. I bear. It Is all >li r ii lu bu drv-ai have irit. I am s Hub* * *.* .IssMI ll* a g .Video that sail, of Pail«. i ami Ho* Porta i m Lf i lo re la place etlala m> •-hangesl now. Hie secret of Hits waa I did not kn<nr but t'oiide'a last words ami t)ie lovik In mive me prlckeO me. ami I answer etl him cohil). "Moimeigiirur. so far aa I am coo- <-«*rmsl. i>o one will know that I have am II >.«* " *'l wtiubl put my Isirntr on M. dc He* lue s worvl.” said lairgnae aa be added • I I |. i nr. Irt ua si iiiucb ml s not for ’ll •d t tie p nk ana If. I fear, but* g g* d. for v i hat .ofe lovely rtml walks dog nw.* bor a sikml SI Ibi Jo hi Ii •• nMi si l« I.. V I. aloe* the Mrslhi# lis-Kaii the new isvlam- of tha Tullerlmv. iii-sr Hie lib-lb Id*, ami the sweet dlaonb r of my garden lias given place to sedate part strew tslliily rat bevlges ami walks that look like dia In tbe l.sik of l.uclhl that lA»r istd to pvte over at collegr, and I bated With a bitter hatred Bat at live Hum* I »i*ak of. wtien the ■un was bright ami tto flowers were out. agcrfit my own botne In the farolf tjuercy there waa no s|s>t t to igy mind than tboae m gh W tiers the bindweed and starred tba bedgra. wbeta live celandine and red cani|doii ma.le a gay Isvrdcr to tbe green rides and frnm amid Its •(■wlted leaves the cnckisi pint lltlot Its purple wand dripping with dew. lb-re. on a grassy bank near an old onk. I would lie for hours listening to tba wind in the Ip-ea, listening to tha-bum of tba city that w aa so near ami yet so fgy ami bqljding my rasHes lu cbmd ‘-"rm- JiflliHTTh tha bewneiM* al air i jAUtt here one tnorglug la June I tiMik my lute ami, w llh 4‘oni|Nin hobbling gran*- ly at my Ikk-Is. sought my retreat to eat my lotus mid Jk* Ivuppy In iny dreams. I had iilmoat couie to the obi rose ph-asamv twyoud which Iny my oak when I met Ixirguac face to face as be step|M*d through a gap In the hedge and stood in the middle of Hu* l»ath. His drawn sword was In his hand, and for once the.color was out of bla cheek and his lips were set and hard, making him look, though he was but five and twenty, a man touching on middle ago. “You cannot pass,” he said stiffly without any other greeting, and while 1 stopped for a iqoment In amaze Pom pon. who knew him well, ran up ta him and begun clutching at his cloak for a caress; but be shook tbe ape froik him with a curse, saying agalu: • “You canuot pass, De Hesm<>. G# back.” He called me by my own nam* which he knew well, for we were next door neighbors in the (Juercy and sworn friends at college and ever aft er. Duly lust night he had bidden ma a laughing adieu, calling me Le Krua- quet, the nickname by which I waa known to my intimates and indeed to all the court, and now here he waa, cold and Kliff as a Spaniard, ordering me off the path as if I were a street beggar. * But I took him quietly. Whistling Pompon back to me, I said: “Come, Lorgnac! I am only going to my oak”— “You cannot pass,” he Interrupted, speaking like a machine. "Tu-dieii!’' 1 burst out. tpy temper rising. ”lf It Is the king’s otdor, I go back, but if It is some grasshopper you have In your head, monsieur’'— 1 clapped my hand to my side, forgetting that I wore but a gilded wooden sword, and as my fingers touched tbe blit 1 •topped, disconcerted, and began to laugh, and while I laughed I/or£uac cane tit tbe humor of it and began smil- . u, »- too. as he stepped forward and put bla band on my shoulder. “No, old friend. There must,be os quarrel between ua. but I pra»yoo go back.” “la tbe *uad then blocked?" TT?’" *»* ■■M *n a hesitating voice. ^ *•* about to abrug my turn away when there to tbo bodge, aad a mat •iltobUy \l .1. ItvOMk >• U-llef Iti I l.-vk Slid bis vl Ih vv Im- I^Kgi.av left me low voire; "Mlay Imre know If any ami <l*-aHi mi With that Iv-avinK hm* VMM 1*0 wlHi b I** *1 In* I.. 1.1 Im- Is I ^r K»ar laid Ms UK im-n •• iiMtoael UsAe I AvllMt till mil In in i«d mnl n ii (.Him oi live tail •mnl forward •I •n a an hour pasoea. *. obi fr Im* follow. w Iflt all ll SI |j-| IIM There is lift Wad" •d Hie prince y <l»y dr.ams • I mil of my Im od. a |* wmivler and 'ey lw lb* asiuulsb kilo, k OmmI MenL I mail.- up my mind to «b» wbot l^*r Koac w is|ie-|. Tltere whs a cotincll t Us I day si w In* I* It waa im*i jM-ci-wsHry Hval I took it took hi mu innn, who gat con- U uUillii ilou'u In math the yew tree. I.c Hrusquet should attend, and 1 would not be required until after the dinner hour Besides, my curiosity w:is stirred to its depths, and so I Un- geiol keeping a careful watch to the rig 11 and left of me, but saw nothing. At lust l began to weary of this, and L 11 my -nuts for noth had I known how on." And then In* iitbpped and stareddown the river and the crowd on the! op|K»slte bank, like so many ants hur- , rylng to and fro. I was beginning to despair and was laughing to myself at.j iny oracle when a little skiff that had been hugging Hie shore on my side stole quietly up and grounded softly on the bank Just beneath mo. There was only one man within, but 1 saw at a glance he was not a regular boatman of our river. He was too tall and dark and had a foreign air abdub him. With the aid of a towllnc lie fastened the boat to a heayy stone, and then, throwing Ids coat onlils arm—for he was in ids Shirtsleeves-he stepped up the bank and sat contentedly down ben/'ath the yew tree. "Oho!” 1 muttered to myself. “The oracle Is working.” Craning over, I took another look at my man, but I’ could see little except his shoulders and the top of his head. Ills coat, however, was on the grass beside him, and on its breast were embroidered the arms of Spain. “From the Spanish embassy!” I mur mured again. “This grows Interesting!" And I stretched myself so that I could watch him without moving. My only fear was lest Fompon should make some noise or start off In pursuit of some idle fancy, so I stroked his fur gently to keep him quiet, and the a|»e blinked at me with sleepy, beadlike eyes. I had not long to wait, maybe a half hour or so, when a shrill whistle rang out from among the ttves, and my Spaniard, Jumping up, whistled back as shrilly. Then there was a moment’s ■Hence, followed hy the sound of hurry ing feet, as a man ran up, breatldess with baste. CarmmbaT* exclaimed the Spaniard. “You are pHe!” “ ’Twus net to lie helped. 1 caught sight of the fool I a* Brusquet ami hi-* cursed a|M* looping alstut the garden* and lay quiet to give Hie pair time to go. H> the way. they came this way. Hare you seen anything of themV" “No one has lieeti here.” And Hie Spaniard, lifting his coat. pn-|iare.l to t|gpcend to tbe At first 1 could |»ot recogniw* Hie voice, but as Hu.* two went down to Hm* boat 1 nut a gUmpac of tbe new coiuer’s Hm* regiment of Aunts and an utter acoiiiidrvl If ever there was one. That there was villainy afoot I was sun* now. I was hoping-nny. longing — Hist they would stay ami talk s little ere tlM*y went. Hut this was n**t to lu*. WIm-o they had ■te|*p*-d Into the l*nHt, however, ami pushed off. ir’Aramou threw hlnvarlf Pack In live stern ami lauglicd long and loudly to himself. A* for I he Kpanlanl. Ik* said ivothiog. hut polled steadily across Hie river. au*l ere Hie skiff had ko*m* half way acr«**s Hm* Meltve II vanished from Ui) eye* In Hm- gohleti, dazzling glare of the *nn •bliM*. I la) still f**r a few minutes and then, rising abtavik I'oiiqsKv hy Hie Uevk. “Mow ami.'' I said, "the Iw-lphtc ors He was tv*•tiling to )••« “ \\ Iverv-at Im* seufllevl wllh me. Ifllt (>acin*-vl him with h ginger adt. ai Hm it we iisik our way slowly, hut wi great cuulrat. |pw ard the pa law. C1IAITKB 11. rat r w a ash a tsva’s wzogu. As I walk**1 on. however, my mu was working like a cl**ck. |a*rgoa. • agitated manner, hla strange wor*ls al «>ur |>arHiig. live presemv of t’omb* In I'arls. the fact of bis l- ing spievl u|*>n hy live H|*aiil*h eiiil*as*y ami hy such an agent as I** A ramp*, all these point ed to aoitir mystery, kly rurtusltj was netted to Hm* highest pitch. At that time no man In I'arts was a* eager a* I fo |M*ke his nose Into matters that 4 -1 not concern him. Ami n**w that I am s|N-akliig of in) self I might as well de- •crtl*- myself as I was Hm-u. I was tall ami slightly huilt. hut strong aiul active as a cat. My features were ■ham and pointed, so that at*foih-ge ( gnt rtic um-nv iahl»* ui ' Uwiib.4,.. Tlnv. .. led to troliWe.Vbilftitnctlw nte. s**me times for my tormeiitors. ’ Hut Hie name had drnp|M*l into oblivion since I had Come to man’s estate, although toy ■harp features remained. In the meantime (here was this mys tery to l>e solved, and I was determin ed to get at the bottom of the well. It was clear that It was a political' mat ter. and then—I looked around me and saw that I was near a most Inviting looking seat, where the branches of a fallen tree spread out like an easy chair. My com pah Ion, whose perce ;*- tion In matters of this nature was even keener than mine, was already there, and, following Pompon's example. 1 settle*] myself down to unravel tbe skeins of the puzzle. I had not been there above, half an hour, during which- I made but little progress, when I heard my name ealf- ed out and saw Lorgnac walking to ward me with hasty stops. Well,” he said as he came up to me, “have you seen any one?” levying torcca opetily In Picardy!" “What lias this lo*do with the matter In band?” “Walt and sec. I will' not be long now In couilug to ipy point.” “Then come to It! I tell you every moment Is of import." “Hasten slowly, Lorgnac! 1 have told you what we are doing. *)cfid now the others, if then* is war! wewiH have Spain and England ngnlust us, for Mary of Kuglapd will side wllh her husband.” “Yes-yes.” “Well, mon ami! You are aware Hint England Is open to attack from Scot land. Yoft an* aware, too, that the v C'ar- dlnnl Benton ami a large embassy are coming to Franco. You can sec that an alliance between France and Scotland —sny if tlie dauphin were to wed the young queen of Scpts^wruild make us strong.” “Yes." Ills voice was very grave. My thoughts had run far lieyond my speeeli by tills, and 1 began to tremble at tbo (-pd to which they were leading me. I, who had begun this talk In an idle spirit of mischief, was now being pricked by my own pins. For a moment I remained silent, and ■ Lprgnnc’s hand -closed upon my arm like a vise. “Go on!” be said, ills voice husky. He seemed to be moved powerfully by some inward feeling. “Well, It would be n great tiling for Spain to prevent such a marriage, would Jt not?” He said nothing, but kept, staring at me, and I went on; “And now, Lorgnac”—my own words- came slowly and painfully—“suppose that the Spaniard could show there qas truth In a story that was whispered hen* and there some Weeks ago. Hn-n* would lie a scandal, and that marriage could not be.” “What do you mean?” Ills hand drop ped from my arm ns he iqioke. lie pre tended not to understand, though lie knew well enough, lie rose from his seat and faced me, and 1 rose, too, airi bent toward him. “You know what I mean. Blaise de lAtrgnac. If It could he shown that Coiivle hurried l*ack from XT.irleiiiioiirg god had a secret jnecHlig, say under old oal» list, llltlt the qu« the nrailway leading Into the aiwiem't rooms tin* throng was so great that fot the moment I could find no pilssage. I looked round and culled ovit; “Way. way for tlie" king of the cap and Isfllsf” There was a laugh, and a i(Jerry volt* 1 cnfled out; • * , "There Is room for your innjest.v heiv and for your prime minister too." 1 looked at the smiling eyf-s and IV curved, laughing lips, and Pompon 1 were by the speaker's side in a Mo ment. It was Mile, de l-’oix. wlioni we used to cull the I’luenix. Hie mine lor whom poor Laval.'Jousted in scarlet or- mor at the. last tourney held by Hie lute king. “So your majesty bos not ft elided Hie council?” And she opened her sil vec bonbon box. / “No. ujadciuoisollc: yet thy nm-.t ^faithful subject mid, myself have been employed on high affairs oystfH C’ “I am sura they will benefit from Such united wisdom.” Aij\ she gn\e o sweet to Pompon. . ' “Hein! And is* there no tribute for me?" 1 grumbled. “I always thongbVtbe honor Went to the king, lint tin* sis.ils to the minister, but if your majesty will accept an of fering"— And mademoiselle held out her box. With a l*»V. 1 helped my self to a dainty morsel, and at the same moment Hie strajns of music Honied toward us. and tin* IMneuix chipped her hands. "’Tis tin* couranto!" slu* cried. “The queen uf SCotS fllHl the I’rllleess EliZll.- beth dance in tills. I wish I couii sc**.” tne glove he held. Tbo ilout old aoldiet know but one answer to make at such a moment, when the Mediels spoke in her calm, passionless voice: “My lords. It seems but a light mat ter for all these frqwna to, lower-all about a rose! Put aside these dark looks, I pray you, and let us hear th« gong the king has commanded. Will no one touch a lute?”' The constable’s glove slipped bayk over his jiand, and Chantonnay bowed low to the queen. Still there was no an swer to hej; request, and there was a strained silence." f ‘ Suddenly a volc£—it was that of th« rheenix—cfllled out: . “Le Hrusquet!” - ' The cry was caught up at once, with a’ctapping of hands, apd “Le Hrusquet! Le Brusquet!” echoed through the hall. 1 met my queen's eyes. She was smil ing with the rest, and then the king’s voice came to me; “You are named, my cousin.” It had to be, but as I slipped the broad yellow ribbon from my shoulders |in*l took the lute In my hands I felt my heart beat, my fingers tremble and my voice fail me. Twice I struck the chords, but tbe song would not come, and then I met her eyes again and was strong, and the jester’s voice rang out full and clear, but it was the knlgbtT ^lieaTt that spoke: “Comtt Choose me s flower from out thy bower! White blows tbe lily, but red the rose. Come! Choose me s flower from out thy bowerl” Belle Usbel she plucked him s red, red rose. ‘To, here is s flower, the queen ot my bowerl Pale while is the lily, hut red tbs rose. I dub thee my knight. In the hoar ot flgfct Ride eter fur right and the red, pad ruse.” “Trust to your knight, ma demoiselle.” And sin* put a small hand in \ny arm. Ro, with laugh am! Jest and wuuetlmes 1 an cIImixv in the ribs of a gay court 'T. I. at last Nuce****d< d In gaining a corner of vantage for my partner and myself. * There were many fair women and . brilliant cavaliers in the dance. Thera nas Hi* Pi 1 • * .. i ii .-iHer j ward the haph-aa wife of Hie tyrant of S|*uiu. Then- were others '1 cotiM name. Ion I had n<* • ves fur them, nor, Itidred. had any one else. Every |<M*k. 1 every glance, was Ik-iii on n tall, grace ful figure robed lu white, with a cllH ter of c *f rose*- At l*r U \V i on sralelMsI.” 1 could have nyaelf In. for fur Hm- umAim *. of latuh lu h ••r cyv-s^ ntij a *ti nil** un h • r Iti** » iti* fi*. aU-d Ihr o’lgtr tne dnniv If! In* TTTm TTFT % *T tnrtr smj'ffrr ■ fa Ira* V' r*r >1.1 my 1st* •1. •mi \k* LAleU*U ill v fair lu fill frsu. tall t tu %rr i ill** t%| tin* i**.*r 4%t 111% (1 llfi't* H Mf Mar) r i*f McvAl au*l. “For pod and my lidy, my queen ot Arrady, Ncr'shield will I BeirTmt this red. red ross. la charge or In rally, in siege or in sally, The Psynirn shall shrink at the red, red rose.*' 'Tot Tbs night is unfe’den, the moonlight* is guides; Pure heart and st.-ong arm. let them go wit* the ruse. Ln, the night is untuiden. the moonlight golden 1 Co, king ot my heart and my knight of'the roast" I brought my song to a close with a flourish on the lute Htrlq^is. For a lit tie there was a hush, and then a I murmur anmc that swelled to a tumult of applause. Kind faces pressed around me. there were kiiol voices lu my ears, but 1 beard Uu*in ifut— th ^^1 was la 4 iUMndgod own. , It was the king hlmselt *«rbo pyt a gold rlialn around my neek, and as 1 r*sM* from bet<*re him * ’ Uanlonnay held (Ait to me a heavy iKirsc. saying; “The king, my maslvr. knows also to ■IH (rowing and improving slowly, and las a healthy color. Sea island looks letter, but blight is still prevalent. Corn has begun to tassel and is l>eiog . aid by in the southeastern sections, where its condition is, however, very >oor owing to lack of cultivation' and an excess of moisture. In other sec- tious, uplaud corn has improved and looks healthy, but bottoms are still too ’ wet to replant. Hud worms and crows are damaging bottom land corn in the extreme west. Late wheat has lusted badly, whih early is being harvested with the aver age result only fair, and not up to ex pectations. Oats harvest is well ad vanced, but the rams have damaged some in the shock. Yields are variable, but average fairly good. * ' Tobacco is extremely poor, and dying from lack of proper cultiva'jon and ex cessive moisture in Williamsburg Coun ty and vicinity, while in the other to bacco districts, it has improved slight ly, but is still poor. Worms are nu- * merous in places. Uplamfrice is tine, and some river rice also, but in tbe Georgetown dis tricts freshets have done much damage, aud prevented a full acreage of June sowing. Melons are a failure in places, and 'j- poor general'y. Peaches ate dropping, and early varieties arc rotting. Pas tures and gardens have improved. Truck > growing and yielding well. Many correspondents report a scarcity of farm laborers. 4 * jvIpXAPPED By a House. Frank Ingram, a negro, was tried in the criminal court al'Opelika, Ala., for horse-stealing, says the Anniston Hot Blast. When placed on tbe stand be told the following story, in an earnest, straightforward manner; He said he was passing the stable where the horse in question waa, and seeing the open gale, be thought he would shut it. lie decided there was no use to close tbe gate if there waa no stock -inside, so he looked to see. Seeing the borae there, he atarted off to fasten the gale, and stumbled against a bridle lying on the ground. Ue picked it up, am) discovered • bat the burse was following him. 1U (brew tbe bridle at Ibe hot a*- to stop him and jhc btisljjt.Vi*u/hj on the horse’s brad, wimI Iwtiag un* th2tTtosr«we»k«ww snap, - it fastened. . Realizing tbsl no one would believe ihai ibe bridle Would fasten itself, he decided he would fuslrD tbr gate,. climb the finer and flee. This be did, and tbr h« rwr jumped tbr right-foul ; and pursued him. He fled in r, and tbr boiae ran him nearly a quarter of a mile. Seeing that the burse waa gaining on bin. br got to unr »i*lc of the rued aud squalled pert- wn. to Irt tbe burse paas without g him. The bur** ran between ga «n-l t aught him up its hark at riel him OU. deS|Al« hla efforts 1 off, a as-vro or eight miles from tbe liable be *avs, (hr horse be* sine r*wi ll red, mill Udd him that be Was gvuug o throw him *41, wkwb was done. r i«i was tlT. la-i be saw of the burse. He Udd the story m dead rameat- m-ss, wbila lbs tourt ollb'cra stuud l*ale«l breath and gaping mouth nsimnl with wwe at the weird siory. Tbr Jury, having no case agwtosl the horse t«r kidnaping the negro, prompt!) vimvictcd the negro for the si rang* rule. I on tcilcciiiig Hun there were three wnvs out of the garden, one hy the wicket lending Into the Louvre, the see- nml near Hie Porte' St. Ilonore and the third at Hie Tour de Hois, I came to the eenelusion that if there was a spy about he would have,plenty of chance to escape. Ro 1 consulted the oracle. I picked Pompon rip and let him drop ou tlie sward, determined to -follow the course he took. As he FbucRod ground the little beast gave a chuckle and scampered across the grass m tne oirat tion.of the river. In brief, it was the river bank near the Tour de Hols that Hie oracle pointed at, and I followed Pompon across the hedge, and we went 'noisehvsty through a tangled maze ot brush and shruh and tree until we eaine Xu_rtie-Ttt<! city wall‘that ended here on 1 itCfiver face. No sooner hud we reached it than Ponqion swarmed tip tlie wall. With the aid of a friend ly yew tree I followed his example, amb stretching myself on the flat sur face, with Hm* ape carted up close be nidi* me, I waited and watched. The day was perfect, aud I basked like a I Izard iu the warm sunshine, lis tening to the hnzzlng of the w asps and tbe cheery whistle of a tdackcap from a thorn bosh not a bowshot from me Hot my eyes were not idle. 1 had a good view from where I was. and I watched like a hawk from a cliff. Hut noth tag cam* la sight except the slow | I, did not exactly like to give away in/, but 1 swear tl*.-i matters stood ! would not have played with him as did, but have spoken out at once. At it was, I answered: “Calihage for cabbage. lA>rgnnc. Tel am* your secret and I'll tell you mine.” "My secret is not my own,” he an I suppose, is mine, and I nit ; .living old and wise. You remeinbei Hie proverb—a close mouth catches u< files.” ■ • He stamped impatiently. “LooS here, Ia* Hrusquet. if you have sect any one let me know who it is! If tin prince has been spied upon aud seen there will be a frightful disaster un less wt* *-un prevent it;”m>t - <mly 4lsa» tor for him* but for”— He stopped hesitating, and I lift***! my hand, “Ho not give away your secret. Sil down and let us talk, aud ITI tell you w hat I have seen.” He took a seat beside me, and I went, on. “You see, 1 aTn going to tell you In my own way. 'But first I guust ask you a question." “And that Is?" - "Why are you, a cadet of the regl meat of Antrtr. nqj with the army?" He Mu*br*t a little and stammered? “The peace of Yaueelles* still stands.* “And yet w* arw fortifying ftfarim boorg and Hurray, and the sdiairs? U "In the Hue' l ire iU.O.T.h [ “I*r*-ri**-!) ~I Have m>uthef.*’ “I know that hiiid should not hav asked. No o*ie know s Im* Is therv?*' “I ki-ep no servant, aud you aud • lone know this.” "So that If t'onde can slip out of Paris there will only Ik* D’Aramon’s word to say be was here." .“•Exactly.” “Then, mou cher, things are not so black ns they look.” With this I unfastened my purse from my belt and handed it to Lor t>nc. saving: • “There an* -to fat crowns there. They will carry the prince to Marlcnhourg.’.’ "De Beam**, you are indeed a frjeutl." And Lorgnac took tlie purse as he add ed, “I shall get him off at once, and you must let her know he is gone." “I?” “Yes; manage It somehow. I have no chance of siH-aking to her, but you have a hundred opportunlti**#. A word, a hint, will sulfiee." “Very well. And now hasten. I will do my best.” “It Is cheek to Spain, 1 think,” he said, with a laugh, aud turned to go, but 1 staid him. "—- • “Is there anything else, Le Brus quet?” And unr eyes met. Then I said slowly: "My friend, w hen this is over, you had better seek the* war, and I shall go back to grow pears at Hostile.” He made-no answer, but our hands met in a warm clasp. If I had let him see that 1 knew Ids heart, l had also let him read mine. So we stood for a moment, and I lieu, wringing my hand, he went off without another word. 1 watched him until he was lost to view behind the Jiswthorns and then, r.Ttttrrg 'PnrnpoTT, rrurk m y watetr bn He to Hu* Louvre. 1 made a) little detour, passing my oak, and reached the ivy grown wall, when* a little wicket 1***1 to the ladles’ terrace. J had a pass key given tu me.’by Hie king b!ms»Mf and, opening tin* gate, crossed the ter race and hastened/owanl the Pavilion du Uoy, where tin* court was held. Tilts faced tlu* river Ifi ail tin* elegance of its miMlerii construction. It had been built On tb* site of th** Great tower, the pride of his an*s-stors, which Frauds, the late king, had dciu.dished to. make ruom for his new stniei ure. - 1 went iq* Ibe crowd**] stairway. Pompon at my breU. exrtiazglug • word With one. a Jew* with another Al ■Pi r mrtjeity. e ev«*s." answered (•It her. lip. - He t . Vgr right r, * n nm ig apjicared. Tly hii tubb- ami nroimd ami ii brilliant gn.up. among l»e \ i*‘llevilh* and St towefiug uliovt* tb** otli er** was the grim figure of the eariDnnl of Lorrajii**.. I’pr a iiiomettl they stiMKl wnteliing tlie dnniv and then cam* slowly forward. As Henri approached his m-at thc.tlam-rirs stopped and l»ow**<| to him. and,' walking up to Mary of Scotland, the king kissed her on the cheek, saying kindly: “My daughter, the roses you earrji here bear tlu* palm from those yot. have gathered Jn tlint-nosegay, Pat dieu.” lie continued, with,.a latigli. while Mary’s face jtrew senrlqj with pleasure, "is tliere no knight here win tan turn a londi 1 to these roses? What say you, my cousin of the kingdom of folly?* There was a genera I laugh, but I Was tongue tied and could say nothing. Hut the* constable, with the'rough gallantry of a bear, was ready \\ Uh a speech. "1 cannot use the pen,” he cried; ’■lutt, old as I am, I wjll try in the next war to w i ile a verse with my sword on Spanish helmets.” A luiz/. si rose at"the words. There may perhaps have been a veiled threat concealed in them; I know not. Hut buzz and murmur were stilled ny » Voice, nasal, discordant and harsh, which rang through Hu* room. “I protest, your majesty! I protest In tlu* name-of uiy master, Rie king ol Spain! Fnmee and Spain are at iK*ace.’’ Ir ons i ‘tinnlurniHjvrtm Spanish rfrv • hnssador, and, tall, somber robed mid tliffi, wit ii the star of St. James gt his neck, he stepissl forward from the group lK-liind the king aud stood facing Moiitmorenci, a -sinister smile playing on Ids lips. It was an awkward moment. From .under his bushy white eyebrows th* constable glam! tuck at his adversary, aiid the king looked fron^one to Oiiotb er of them, annoyance and vexattor •taiu)M*d U|m*0 his features. “I pr*»tei«t,“ tlie embassador repeated A n* an will i a «fa<*'gun 'Is draUsl a r*i >■ rum 1 torpor •Is Ki 10 \rW|MI H News, Vi Tifllll ta, a I i w day* eg** •. W. K. Ft l fl u i 1 •ml cl tbr t laud buhl on have h« Id U| l» tn»* i • KM >tru*ttun of tbe new tin. tines I y r* (u-tnj to lease or II (hr i right of way A/Vrr 1 bt-ir pro- (crtt. Tbe rail imiV advantage iose*! and sent I" say • *f tbr a f*»r* * -V- —;«k.> -- --wv* s turn now t<> In* on the cross, «-*aistalile M'ited’the op|«*r t — It was Ii /IU«1 the tunltv. •Tie not offended, mv l«*nl! Le Hrus % * % qu*-t but gave you. tits sup|s>rt. 'Tis not to Ik* despised, I assure you.” Tills was t*Mt intK.li for tlie Spaniard Ills face Iteeame pul<* ( his lips blue, nnd tlu'ii In- said loudly, for- his tem per had mastered him: "The prince Is in Paris! I wager thousand pistoles with any one (flat prove my words by !• o’clock tonight.” “And I take tlie wager!” All eyes turned to tbe voice that came from the middle of the hall, and then the crowd parted as Lorgnac stepped forward, and he and Cbauton nny faced each other, their glances crossing like two rapiers. fCONCLL’UED NEXT WEEK.) THE WEEKLY CROP BULLETIN THE WEATHER AND CROPS* DURING THE PAST WEEK, The weeJc ending Monday, June 10th, was somewhat warmer than the preceding one, but the average tent perature continued below the -normal There was a maximum of 93 at Yetnas see on the 5th, aud a minimum qf 55- at Greenville on the 4th. Over the western and northern c!otinties l ihe nights were much t* o coot f*>r cptton and there was a general deficiency ot sunshine. . General showers occurred on'the 3d, and again on the Oth and 7th, light over the greater portion of the State, but heavy in the middle and lower Savannah valley, the southeastern, and portions of the west central counties, where the ground was kepi (do weTfor general cultivation, and where only from two to three (lay’a ploughing was practicable* Oyer the western, central, northern and northeastern counties, the weather conditions were favorable lor farm work, and cultivation made f*ir progress. Colton is uousuitlly small, lacks cul tivation, and is-aomewhAl lousy in places, while graasy fleMs are the rule It has not all been chopped to sUnds. In Ihe eastern and southeastern again, with Mv sYrangr, nasal litUMa- ti*>o» its growth « at a standaUll, ami tion. fat* wfattwifrgi ru r^-r’-g — 1 * w »>-" %! ?»»"»■ turning red or yellow, •tar at bis neck. j showing~an unhealthy condition, bat Muntauunurt’s band began to flafrt over the remainder ot tba Mate it to <*o Sunday Kourt* being pi iu*-n t<> lay the track scnms the ('uitrell pr*>|N>rty. 1’he owner aj*pearcd on tbe scene just * as the men got to work aud fired on alu-tciHjuii. lLcAUlA. -^aEcDUit l * refip UHAly.'. pot^ryl! fc>e asr lyimWinw I ciowaaSaram—^i • ^ -1 irt -pu-** upon his property tnd at mid- eight the injunction wa*« granted. A lobacco. company contributed for the comfort of the Confederate vete rans during their reunion at Memphis, Teun., 2,000 pounds of sm >king to bacco, 10,000 pipes and 10,000 boxes of matches. The tobacco alone was worth 00 cents a (tound, jobbing rates. The v 2,000 pound* was divided into HqOOO rations. Another compauv gave the veterans 14,000 rations of chewing tobacco. Blc w ickHa/r\ “I have used your Hzir Vigor for five years and am greatly pleased with it. It certainly re- I stores the origiqsl color to gray .hair. It keeps my hair soft.”—Mrs. Helen Kilkenny, New Portland, Me Ayer’s Hair Vigor has been restoring color to gray hair for fifty years, and it never fails to do this work, either. You can rely upon it for stopping your hair from falling, for keeping your scalp clean, and for making your hair grow. II.SS s hotii< All Arstfltit. If your druggist canbof’supply •sod us ons *i«iUr and we wifi sxp yon, szprsss yon s bottle. He sure sndgiTe the nzina of your nesreet eipreea offii-e. Address. >. C. AYER CO., Lowell, r MONEY TO LOAN Ion fnrmlr glands. Easy pay men ta Me commissions charged. Borrower pays ao- tual cost of perfecting loan, internet T per ceqt. up. ec«.rdipg to eeeniity. *MO. B PALMER A SOM. 0 Oolnabte. ■ 0 piWITlo Jig! |VMlTIOirfl!|JR» OBJECT. u*-vsg^ --n sbm AC