Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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ooOOooOOooOOooCX>ooCOO' ( 8 The QUEEN'S ) I ROSES Sw Dt I g By S. L-evett Veata o ? Copyright, 1901, by S. Levett Vc?ts Z Soo oOOo 0OO0 oCXJo oOOo oOOo ooS D CHAPTKH L how POMPON MVA ami: AN OtlACLB. UHU \ rs it 1m because tho tragedy of Folhorlngoy is still fresh in my mlud that my eyes linger Bad* |y on the faded roses 1 hnvo token from my cnbluol ami placed with lender hands before me. Tt Is a week ngo since Blnnchoforot, on his way bark from Paris, drew rein ai Besinn t<> glvo me lue news of that deed of h?fnmy and h it tue stunned and bewildered as be galloped <>1T. red j spurred, tu bear the tidings to Male zloux. There are those who say she deserv ed her death; there are steiles, l know, about her, but they He In their throats who repeat them, and I blush with Bhame for mj country that no sword wns drawn to save her who WIM once queen of Prance. As l stare at tho ilowers before mo their delicate fragrtineo returns l-> them. They seem lo bloom again in their rich, crimson splendor, and the memory of that night In June when 1 received them from the hands of Mary of Rent land com s bach to me, so that my heart Is full and my eyes grow dim. She was of those women born to be queens over men: of those women who come once lu a thousand years, who are In themselves the embodied spirits of romance and for whose smile men would (brow aside Hie, riches, empire, even honor, as lightly as a WOl'UOUt glove. II was my fate to come within the range of her power, und I did as the re-1. 1. the poor gentleman of Quercy, the king's Ji-sb r, dared to love her. And yet 1 was not mad. The feeling In my heart was us if 1 bail met in tlesh und blood that vision of the per fect woman which lies in all men's souls. Theri as an Immeasurable dis tance Lctw us. 1 Knew all that. 1 nursed no hopes, l looked upon her us a sli [dierd on tho mountains might ea/.e i um the morning star?as some wander j nngcl of light that had comic b? puss away, yet never to 1)0 for goto.n. And so, because n Jester must have something of the poet in his spirit, I was accustomed lo day dream a buh? und Used to slip Olli from the Louvre Into that wilderness of a garden that stretched as Par its the walls of Paris, between tin- 'l our de Pols ami the Porto St. llotiore, and lose myself there In enchanted dreams. The place exists no longer, I hear. It Is all changed now, slice iho Mediels began the new palaco of Iho Tullerlos, m ar Hie lilellelds, and Iho sweet disorder of my garden has pjlven place to sedate parterres, trimly cut hedges and walks that look like dia grams In the b >ok of Buclld that Lor gnnc used lo pore over at college, and I hated with n Miter hatred. But at the time 1 speak of, when the sun was bright and the Ilowers were OUt, except my own home in the faroff Quercy there was no spot more lovely to my mind than those neglected walks where iho bindweed and dog rose Starred tho hedges, w here the celandine and red campion made a gay border to the green rides ami from amid Its spotted leaves the cuckoo pint lifted its purple wand dripping with dew. Here, on a grassy bank near an old oak, I would He l'<u- hours listening l<> the wind In the trees, listening to the hum of the city that was so m ar and yet so far and building my castles in cloud hind, while Pompon, my ape, gam boled in the branches above me. Ami here one looming ill .111110 I lOOk IUJ' lute und, with pompon hobbling grave ly ill my heels, sought my retreat to eat my loins and be happy in my dreams. I had iiliuosl come to the old rose plensniiee beyond which lay m> oak when I Miel borginie face to face IIS he stopped through a g;ip in the hedge and stood In the middle ol Hit path, lib: drawl) sword \Vns in I :? band, ami for once the color was oul of his cheek ami his lips were sei mal bard, making him look, (hough he was but the uml twenty, a intn touching on middle nge. "You cannot pas ," he said slllllj without any other greeting, and whib I slopped I'm- a moment In amaze Pom poll, who knew him well, ran up t< bim au I began clutching at his cloak for a caress; but he shook the ape from him with a cUrse, saying again: "Veu enniiol pass, Do Besmo. He back." lie ..died IDC ll,V io.V owu 11:11110, which he knew well, for we were next door neighbors in the Quercy nmS sworn friends nl college and ever aft er. Olllj IllSl nlglll he h:u| bidden Iii? a laughing udleu, calling me be Brut rjuot, Iho nickname by which I was kUOWII lo my Intimates and Indeed to all the court, and now here he was, cold :inl slid as a Spaniard, ordering me off the' pa lb us if 1 were a street beggar. But I toid; him quietly. Whistling Pompon back to me, l said: "Come, r.orglincl I am only going to my oak"? "Voll cannot pass-." be interrupted. Speaking like a machine. "Tu-dlcill" I burst out, my temper rising. "If It Is ihe king's order, 1 go back, but if it Is some grasshopper yon have in your bend, monsieur"? I clapped my band to my side, forgetting thnl I w ore but a glided wooden sword, and a; my fingers touched the bill I stopped, disconcerted, and begnn to Iflllgll, and while I laughed Linguae enutfbt the humor of it ami began smil ing, n.o. it-i i . fm-wurd and pul his bund on my shoulder. "No, old friend. There must be no [juan*1 h< tween us. but i pray you go "is the pond then blocked?" "Ves." he said In n hesitating voice. And I was about to shrug my shoul ders and I urn away when there was n ?J"J"?i8 In tho hedge, and a man leap ed lightly through, saying In an alarm ed volco; "I.orgnnc, we are wiib-hed spied up on." And (hi II he slopped nnd stared :!:'" I. loo, stared back in blank astonishment, for It wan the Prince of Conde, the sc-,.ml prime of the blood, whoir. we all thought at the siege of Mnrlenbourg. His face was haggard ami wan, nnd be was gray w Ith dust, as one w ho had ridden last ami far. He struck nerv ously ut his i.i with his riding whip, and as we looked at each other I no ticed ii.at in his clinched hand lay a woman's glove, small and w hile. I took his words lo apply to mo nnd, recovering myself, hastened to explain. "Monselgnotirl Not spied upon by ine. I came here" Hut comic himself Interrupted mo. "It wna not you I meant. Le Urns quet. Ii wns some brie elso?*5'"" ? ??>., ono has passed this way, mon Bclgucur." I , "Then BOlllO 0110 was III hiding bo foro wo enmo, Lorgnuc. Listen: i . was Just ah-.ut to COlllO for you when I lioiU'd a laugh and a rustling III the j hedges. I rushed rorwnrd, but could Boo nothing. At last I heard voices 1 and came here." Then, as If a sudden ?suspicion had struck him. "lf was not you, Lc Ib'UHquotV" And he Cliot A keen j eyo on mo. I shook my head, and Cotldo went on, turning ngiiln t<> Lorgnuc, whose eyes 1 were bent roproucbfully upon him: "Man, do not look at mo like that. It was madness my coming here. 1 know, but 1 could 11? ? t help It. And now?I Blipposo It will bo all over l'arls In an j hour." And he looked at me once ! more. | 1 knew well enough that the klug was boiling with wrath against Coudc. j Young as he was. his brilliant achieve- | incuts, his personal graco and happy spirits had won all hearts. Every thing that a subject can hope for Boom ed within his grnsp, and he was more than an ordinary subject as the second prince <>'?' the blood. In a moment nil this was changed. His commission as colonel general was taken from him, tils government of I'lcnrdy given to Collgny, and he who In the morning was in the full tide of court favor had hurried olt at dusk a simple volunteer for the defense of Marlcubourg. What the secret Of this was I did not know, | but L'oude'fl last words and the look he gave nie pricked me. and I answer ed him coldly. "Monselgneiir, so far as I am con cerned, in. one will know that 1 have Been you." ? 1 would put my honor on M. do BCS ine's word.' said Lorgnnc as he added: 1 "And now, nioliseigiieur, let us go at mice, l pray you. Too much mischief has been done already." "I i Is not for myself, 1 fear, but"? And the prince stopped, for Lorgnnc made a warning gesture Hint staid his Words. [?'or a space we three young men looked ai each other, and then nionsel gnour held out his hand to me. "M. tic P.esine, I spoke In haste. I thank you for your promise. Adieu till 1m tier times." 1 look the hind he held out to IUC, and his grasp was (Inn and cordial. Then he went back as he had come and r.orgnnc with blm. but ere tho latter h i t mo he I enl forward and said in a low voice: ?.?stay her*- for an hour or so. Let mo knew ii any otic passes. There Is life and di nth on this, old friend." With that he h.llowed tho prlnee, leaving i ic with all my day dreams' knocked olll ol my Lead, a prey to the i complete wonder and astonish iih lit. I ; ii .'. up my mind to do what Lor l?i a< died I here was a council that d i) ill w hh Ii it was not necessary that / to'ii. it look hi mu man, uhn sttt con> tenicdly down bcncutli the yew tree. Ix> Itrusquct should attend, and 1 would not he required until after the dinner hour. I'.esidcs. my curiosity wan stirred to Its depths, ami so I lin gered kci ping n careful watch to the rib-lit and left of me. bul saw nothing. At luxl I began to weary of this, and on lolloetlng Ihm Iber? were three ways oul <ii 11 to garden, one by the wicket Ii adii f. Into tlie Louvre, the see on I m ar the I'm leSl. I louore and tho (bird at the Tom de Pols, I came to the cone'uslon thai If there was a spy aboUv ! o \ mid have pli nty of chance to eat "ape f'o I consulted the oracle. I picked r apon i p and let him drop on the ?ward, determined to follow the course I to Am I touched ground the little henrl gnvo a chuckle and . - in i lie oiret , '.. . la hi lot*. It mis tho . our lb- Hols that the ? ... i :i . and I followed Poll ?.!.<;,?. ami WO went Ii rolij. Ii a tangled maze ot i . flu lib and tree uui il we ??? ll'o ei l < lly wad that ended i.i ? i I ho river face. No sooner had wi : ?h i ii . a i'nui|>on swarmed i ;> i e .villi. Willi I ho aid of u friend I;. ?> lleo I followed his example, und, id retching myself on the lint sur ;:: o, wllll I he ape curled up close be na?, I walled and watched, l ,hiy was perfect, ami I hnskjed Iii., a lizard in (ho warm sunshine, lis tening to the btlZ/illg of the W lisps 11 111) (he cheery whistle of a blackcap from a tl. .in bush not a bowshot from mo. Ituf my eyes were not idle. I had a " d view from whore I was, and 1 watched like a hawk from n cliff. But nothing came In sight except the slow precis,ion or boa I a. passing up and down tin river and the crowd on tho opposite bank, like so many ants hur rying to and fro. I was beginning to di spnlr ami,was laughing to myself at my oracle when a little skiff that had boon hugging the ahoro on my side stole <iui< My up and grounded softly on the bank Just beneath inc. There was only one man within, but I saw at a glnnco he was not a regular boatman of our j ih r. He was loo tall ami dark and I had a foreign air about him. With the aid of a lowlinc ho fastened tin; boat to a heavy si. ami then, throwing bis coat on Ids arm for he was In his shirtsleeves he stepped up t|,,. |,Unk ami sat contentedly down beneath tho yew tree. "Oho!" I muttered to myself. "The oracle Is working." Craning over, I took another look at my mnn, but I could see little except his HhouldcrH and tin- top of lllsdiend. His coat, however, was on I he grass beside him, nnd on Its breast were cmbroldorcd the arms of Spain. "From the Spanish embassyI" I mur mured again. "This grown Interesting!" Ami I stretched myself so that I could Witch him without moving. My only fear was lest Pompon should make some noise or start off In pursuit 'if some Idle fancy, so I stroked his fu gently to keep him quiet, and the ape blinked nt mo with sleepy, beadlike eyes. I had not long to wait, maybe a half hour or so, when a shrill whistlo rang out from among (ho trees, nnd my Spaniard, Jumping up, whistled back as shrilly. Then thoro was a moment's silence, followed by tho sound of hurry ing foot, as a man ran up, breathless ivuii haste. "Oarambn!" exclaimed tho Spaniard. 'You aro Intel" " "I'wits not t<> bo helped. I caught sight of tho fool Lo Brusquot and bis cursed up'' moplug about tin; gardens and lay quiet to glvo tho pair time to go. By the way, tiny came thin way. Have you seen anything of them'.'" "No one has been hero." Ami tho Spaniard, lifting bis coat, prepared to descend to t he boat. At tust 1 could not recognize the voice, but as the two went down to the boat I got a glimpse of the newcomer's face. It wa? Aramon, or D'Aranion, as he called himself, a broken captain of the regiment of AunlS and an utter BCOUIldrel If ever there was one. That there was villainy afoot I was sure now. 1 was hoping?nay, longing ? that they would stay and talk a little ere they went, but this was not to be. When they bad stepped Into the boat, however, and pushed off, D'Arainon threw himself back In the stern and laughed long and loudly to himself. As for the Spaulard, be said nothing, but pulled steadily across the river, and ere the skill' had gone half way across the Seine It vanished from my eyes In the golden, dazzling glare of the Btin Bhlne. 1 lay still for a few minutes and then, rising, shook Pompon by the neck. "Mon ami," 1 said, "the Delphic ora cle was nothing to you." Whereat he BCUlllcd with me, but 1 paclilcd hbn with a ginger nut, und then we look our way slowly, but with great content, toward the paluce. CHAPTER II. tue BMUA8SADOR'S wager. As I walked on, however, my mind was working like a clock. Lorgnae's agitated'manner, his strange words at our parting, the presence of Coude In Purls, the fact of his being spied upon by the Spanish embassy and by BUCb an agent as D'Arainon, all these point ed to some mystery. My curiosity was I excited to the highest pitch. At that I time no man In Paris was as eager as I I to poke his nose Into matters that did i not concern hbn. And now that 1 am I speaking of myself 1 might as well de scribe myself as I was then. I was tall and slightly built, but strong and active as a cab My featurea were Sharp and pointed, bo that at college 1 got tho uneuviuble nickname of the LlatChet. The mention of this always led to trouble, Bomctlines for me, some times for my tormentors. but tho name had dropped Into oblivion since I had come to man's estate, although my sharp features remained. In the meantime there was this mys tery to be solved, nnd I was determin ed to get at the bottom of the well. It was clear that It waa a political mat ter, and then?1 looked around me and paw that 1 was near a most Inviting looking seat, where the branches of a fallen tree spread out like an easy chair. My companion, whose percep tion In matters of this nature was eveu keener than mine, was already there, and, following Potupon'H example, I Settled myself down to unravel the 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 call ed out and saw iAjrgnoe walking to ward mo with hasty steps. "Well," ho said as be came up to me, "have you booh any one?" I did not exactly Uko to glvo away ..,.v nuts ror nothing, but 1 swear tha had 1 known how matters stood ! would not have played with hbn us I olid, but have spoken out at once. At it was, I answered: "Cabbage for cabbage, Ixjrgnae. Tel me your Beeret and I'll tell you mine." ".My secret Is not my own," he an r, I suppose, Is mine, and I nit ; owing old and wise. You remcmbel tin- proverb?a close mouth catches U< Hies." lie stamped Impatiently. "Loot here, be Brusquot, If you have Beet any one let me know who It Is! If tin prince has been spied upon nnd seen there will be u frightful disaster un less we can prevent It; not only disas ter for him, but for"? lie stopped hesitating, and I lifted my hand. "Do not give away your secret. 811 down nnd let us talk, nnd I'll tell yoi; what I have seen." He took a seat beside me, and I went on. "You see, I urn going to tell you hi my own way. Hut first I must ask you a question," "And that Is?" "Why are you, n cadet of the regi ment of Aunls, not with the army V" He blushed a little and stammered: "The peace of VauccUes still stands." "And yet we aro fortifying Marlen hourg nnd Hocroy, and the admiral It levying roreos openly In Plcardy!" "What has this to do with the matter in band?v "YVnlt nnd see. 1 will not be loUfl ?Off In coming to my point." "Then come to It I I tell you every moment Is of Import." "Husten slowly, I.orgnnc! I have told JNKi what wo aro doing. And now for tb? others. If there Is war, we will have Spain and England ngalnst us, for Mary of England will side with her husband." Tes?yes." "Well, mon nuil! Y'ou nre aware that England Is open to attack from Scot land. Yon aro aware, too, that the Car dlnal Beaton and a largo embassy are coming to Pi Anco. You can see that an alliance between Prance and Scotland ?say If the dauphin were to wed the young queen of Scots?would make ua strong." "Yes." His voice was very grave. My thoughts bad run far beyond my speech by tills, nnd I began to tremble at the end to which they were leading me. I, who bad begun this talk In an Idle spirit of mischief, was now being pricked by my own pins. For a moment I remained silent, and Lorgnae's hand closed upon my arm llko a vise. "(Jo onl" he aald, his voice husky. Ho Bcemed to bo moved powerfully by some Inward feeling. "Well, It would bo a great thing for Spnln to prevent such a marriage, would It not?" He said nothing, but kept staring at me, nnd I went on: "And now, borgnne"?my own words came slowly nnd painfully -"suppose that the Spaniard could show there was truth In a story that was whispered hero and there boiiio weeks ngo, there would ho a ?candal, nnd that marrlnge could not be." "What do you mean?" His haml drop pod from my arm as he spoke. He pre tended not to understand, though he knew well enough. Ho roso from his seat nnd faced me, and I rose, too, and bent toward him. "You know what I mean, IIIoIbo do Lorgnnc. If It could ho flhown that Conde hurried back from Marlenhourg and had a secret meeting, say under my old oak tree, with tho queen of Scots"? "You spy!" be said. "You hnvo wntched." I could hnvo struck him, but I held myself In, for ho was my friend and for the moment was '"fA, _ ""Iis you who should wear tho cap nnd lulls, Lorgnnc. n<>t I. I niu no s|>y. Yet l bnve watched 11*?? watcher. Tho secret is known, and D'Arniuon is at this moment giving it to the Spanish embassador." "D'Arainou! That rutBuu!" ??Yes." "And you did not stay him, made no effort to stop him?" "I baVO only Just found out the iin portanee of the thing myself. Be8lde8, I did exactly w hat you asked me to do. Von made no mention of staying peo ple." He reflected for a moment, a moment only, for If over there was a man of action It was Lorgnae. Then he Bpokc. ??Do Bcstue, can 1 count on your old friendship? It Is not for myself I ask, hut for the fair fame ?i au Innocent woman and a queen." There was no need to mention names. [ understood perfectly and for her sake WOUld have willingly given my life twice over. Hut as I looked at Lor gnac's burning, eager eyes 1 read In diem the same secret that 1 kept lock ed In my heart. He tool Ah! Was there a man wdio did not love her? I answered him gravely: "My bend and arm are with you to the end. And now do not waste time or give me half confidences. What urn 1 to do for you?" "I must get the prince from Hails at once. Hut he Is penniless and dare not go for money where he w ill be known, and I"?bo laughed bitterly?"have but a brace of Henris." "Where is the prince now?" "In my house." "In the Hue The HoudlnV" "Precisely. 1 have no other." "I know that and should not have asked. No one knows he Is thereV" "I keep no servant, and you and I alone know this." "So that If Conde can slip out of Paris there will only bo D'Arainon's word to say he was here." "Exactly." "Then, inon eher, tilings are not so black as they look." With this I unfastened my purse from my belt and handed It to Lor t/mc saving: "There are 40 fat crowns there. I hey will carry the prince to Marleubotirg." "De Bcstne, you arc ludoed it friend." And Lorgnnc took the purse as he add ed, "1 shall got him off at once, nnd i you must let her know he is gone." "IV" "Yes; manage It somehow. 1 have no chance of speaking to her. but you have a hundred opportunities. A word, a bint, will BUfflce." "Very well. And now hasten. 1 will do my best." "It Is check to Spain, I think." ho said, with a laugh, ami turned to go. hut I staid him. "Is there anything else, Le Hrus quet?" And our eyes met. Then 1 said slowly: "My friend, when this Is over you J had bettor seek tho war. and 1 shall go hack to grow pears at Rosine." He made no answer, hut our hands met In a warm clasp. If 1 had let him I see that 1 knew his heart, I bad also let htm road mine. So we stood for a moment, ami then, wringing my hand, he wont off without another word. I watched him until he was lost to I view behind the hawthorns and thou, j calling Pompon, took my watch back to the Louvre. 1 made a little detour, passing my oak, and rein hod the ivy grown wall, where a little w icket led j to the ladies' terrace. 1 had a pass I key given to me by the king him sell I and, opening the gate, crossed the tor I race and hastened toward the Pavilion du Hoy. where the court w is held, I This faced the river In all the ologanci of its modern construction, it luul been hull! Oil lllO site of the Oreill tower, the pride of his ancestors, whicli Francis, the late king, had demolished J to make room for his new structure. I went up the crowded stairway Pompon at my heels, exchanging r word with one, a Jest with another. Al tho archway leading Into the tUKUcuci rooms the throng was so great thai foi thi' moment I could llnd no passage, looked round and called out: "Way, way for the king id' the cn| and bells!" There w as a laugh, and a merry volci called out: "There Is room for your majesty her* and for your prime minister too." I looked at the smiling eyes and tin curved, laughing lips, ami Pompon ami I were by the speaker's side In a mo ment. It was Mile, do Foix, whom WU used to call tho Phoenix, the same for whom poor Laval jousted In scarlet ar mor at tho last tourney held by the lato king. "So your majesty has not attended the council?" And she opened her sil I vor bonbon box. "No, mademoiselle; yet my most faithful subject and myself have been employed on high affairs of state." "I am sure they will benefit from I such united wisdom." And she gave a I Bwoot to Pompon. "Hein! And Is there no tribute for me?" I grumbled. "I always thought the honor went to the king, but the spoils to the minister, but If your majesty will accept an of fering"? And mademoiselle held out her box. With a bow, I helped my j self to a dainty morsel, and at (ho same moment the strains of music floated toward us, ami the PhattdX Clapped her hands. "'Tis the COUrunto!" she cried. "Tho I queen of Scots ami the Princess Eliza beth dance In this. I wish I could fieo." "Trust to your knight, mademoiselle." And she put a small hand In my arm. Bo, with laugh and Jest and sometimes an elbow In the ribs of a gay courtier, I at last succeeded In gaining a corner of vantage for my portlier and myself. There wore many fair women and brilliant cavaliers In the dance. There was tho Princess El Izabelh, after ward the hapless wife of the tyrant of Spain. There were others I could name, but I had no eyes for them, nur, Indeed, had any one else. Ev -ry look, every glance, was bent on u tall, grace ful figure robed In white, with a eins tor of rod roses at her bosom. With a laugh In her eyes and a smile on her lips she Moated through the dance like a thing of air. Aye! I have lived long at courts. I have Boon the fairest of my land, and women are fair In Franco, hut never ono to lie the peer of my queen?Of Mary of Scotland. "Is she not lovely?" It was the Phoonlx who cot In upon my thoughts, and I answered her: "Mademoiselle, the CIrceks are right. Nymph and dryad and goddess have lived." Tho Phoenix looked np a little ptlK zled at my in -anlng, nnd theo, some one addressing lu :-. I took tho oppor tunity to slip away and move up to my scat of privilege a cushion near the Btlll empty chair of the king, (in my way I had to pass the Medlels. She woa seated, watching the daneo, sur rounded by BOino ladles. At her side Stood Diana of Valontlnols. with that marvelous face on which* tlmo could leavo no trace. The duchess Binllod at mo as I bowed to her who was tho real queen of Franco and knelt to her who_was queen but lu naxno, to that ' wonderful woiuou whom wo thou thought to be hut :i more Btolld piece of humanity, whom wo. because wo wore i"<?.iis. looked upon with a sort of pitying contempt. Hut n day eamo wbcu bIiu dropped tho mask that laid covered her for live uud twenty yearn, and then we fouud out. While i write this 1 cau almost sei1 die grisly trophies over tbu Gate of (Jood Mi u. I (?an almost hear again Die harsh clan;; from the belfry of St. (Jermaln i'Auxi r rots that BUtumoucd furls to iho mas sacre As I rose from my knees before the queen?sho had hut glveu me a look from her dark, unfathomable eyes Catherine turned to the duchess, say lug, with a slight sneer: "I see nothing to admire in her. but all your Kreuch heads have been turn ed by that little Scotch quecnlet." "French heads, yom- majesty, can but see with French eves." answered ? Diana, and the quccli bit her lip. (tu now the folding doors to our right v. (lung open by the ushers In vi del ;; gold, and the king appeared. I*y I. ; side was the constable nml nroun I und behind hbn a brilliant group, tint, n*.; whom were l)y Vlellovllle irnl Andre, while towering above oth ers was the grim llgui.f the ? ird'.n.-kl ! of Lorraine, For n moment tin*} si ml watching tin- dance ami (hen .-.i ;?? slowly forward. As Henri approached ; his seat the dancers stopped ami I ov eil to him, and. walking up lo Vary of Scotland, the king kissed her on (hi cheek, saying kindly: "My daughter, the rose* you eiirrj ' here bear the palm from those yul, have gathered in that nosegay. Far dleu," he continued, with a laugh, while Mary's face grew sen riot with pleasure, "is there mi knight here win van (urn a rondel to (hose roses? What say you, my cousin of the kingdom of folly?" There w as a general laugh, but I \\ a tongue (led ami could say nothing, but the constable, with the rough gallantry of a bear, was ready with a speech. "I eaneoi use t lie pen." P.- erb d; "but. old as I am. I will try in Iho next war to write a verso with my Kword on Spanish bebni Is." A bus/, arose til the words. There may perhaps base been a veiled I brent concealed In Ibomj I Know not. but buz:', and murmur were stillen uy a Voice, nasal, discordant und harsh which rang through (he room. "I protest, ymir majesty! 1 protest in the um.f my master, the king ol Spain! France und Spain are til peace." it was Chun tommy, tho Spanish em bassador, and. I.ill. somber robed ami thin, with the slar of St. .lames at Ills neck, he steppe?I forward from lIn group behind Ihn king and stood faebifi Molitllioreiiel, II sinister snide playin-j nil Ids llp<. It was an awkward moment. Front under his bushy while eyebrows lllC constable glared lunk nl bis adversary, and the king looked from one to anoth er nf I hem, iiuiioyuuee and vexation stamped upon bis features. "I protest." the euilmssador repeated again, with his strange, nasal intona tion, bis white lingers playing with tlu star at Ids neck. Moutmorcncl's hnml bcgnu t<> llngei ine glove in- lirld. Tlio stoiit clii soliliot i knew hut om> answer (?> mnkc ?I sucli n moment, when Ilm Mcdlcls spoke In her calm, pnsslouh .-s voleo: "My lords, It seems Imt a light licit* tcr for all these frowns t" lower ail I nbout a rose! Put aside these darls i looks, I pray you, ami let us hear Ihn song the king has commanded. Will 110 one touch a IlltoY" i The constable's glove slipped haols over Ids hand, and Chnntonmiy bowed low to the queen. Still there was no an I swor to lu r request, and there was a strained silence. , Suddenly a voice it was Hint of the I Phoenix called out: "l.e llrusqucl I" The cry was caught up at once, with i a clapping of ha mis, ami " I ,c It I'll- ipiol! I l.e Itrusquet!" echoed through ;i o I all 1 mot my queen's eyes. She was smil ing with the rest, and then (ho king's . voice came to me: "You are named, my cousin." It had I., be, but as I sllpp d tho broad yellow ribbon from my shoulder:! and took the lute in my hands I fell my heart heal, my lingers tremble and my voice fail inc. Twice I struck thfl chords, but the song would not come, and then 1 met her eyes again and w.-H . stroll*;', and the Jester's voice rang mil full and clear, but it was the knightV llCAI't that spoke: "Comol < hootc mo a flower from en! t' y Iwnvcrl Whln< blowa tl><> Illy, hut roil the roue. Comol CIioom m<* a llowcr from <-tit thy bowerl" Hello Mabel she plucked him a red, rcil rose. "L<>, hero u n flowor, (ho queen "f in) howcrl |>alQ white is thfl lily, hut ml the rose, f dill) thee my ktltgtlt. lu the hl UT ?.( lull Hide ever for right and the red, r*?i r.'se." "Por Cod n:ul my lady, my queen o( Arcady, No Hhlehl Will I bear but this led, rotl ro80. In 0)uU*gO or in rally, in nti ?0 or in i-.illy, Tho Paynlm shall shrink at the red, red rose." "Lol Tho night b? untoldcn, tho moonlight i? golden; ffAire heart nnd strong arm, let tin in go ivlfl tho rose. Vo, the night is untoklen, the a.nlight it golden! Co, king of my heart and my kllighl f>( III* rose I" I brought my song to a close with a flourish on the lute strings. For a lit tle there was a hush, and then a low murmur arose that swelled to a tumult of applause. Kind faces pressed ?round me. there were kind voices in my oars, but 1 heard HlOIll not the place was gone from mo and for a Space I was In n dreamland of my own. It was the king himsoll V\ ho put a gold chain nrotllld my neck, and as 1 rose from before him ('hantoiinay held out to mo a heavy purse, saying: "The king, my master, knows also to reward u. minstrel." i IK'IO WHS Unit ill the tone (hat Jai red upon ine. I drew myself up and answered: "Monselgtietir, the servanls of the king of Franco tnko guerdon but from France." Chnntonnny shrugged his shoulders as he put back the purse am I, looking around him. said slowly to ?ho Una "Your majesty has a faithful servant and a great poet to celebrate the wed ding." "I fall to understand, nioiisolglieur." "I crave your majesty's pardon. I understood that the Pl'lllCC of C'onde hud returned and lha( your majesty's consent was given." There were eager luces enough around us as the nasal tones of the em bassador drawled themselves out. 1 glanced around ami saw (hat Mary was gone, ('hantoiinay spoke slowly and deliberately, ami his meaning was not to bo mistaken. The king flushed with anger "MonSOlgnCUr," ho said, "Is this a Jest V* And Chnntonnny wont on, as a cat might with a mouse. "A Jest, your majesty! A Jest has never passed my lips In my life." "Hein!" I cut In, Jingling tho bells on my cap and approaching tho king. "MoiiBclgncur speaks the truth, my cousin. No word of Jest has over pass ed Ids Hps. They havo all come t through hlo noso." I A Itftlf JujP.^ws&vl.tiUtir joite^e^hii epeccIT Th*? klug frowned, and ? imii* ' tommy's eye? looked death at mo, bul It was Iiis tum now t<- bo the cross, nud tho constable Belzed tbo optior tunlty. ??r? '. offend* d, my lord I Lo I'.ms quet bul gave .v?u Iiis support. Tla nut t?? I?' dospl od, I assure you." This was too uuu'li for tii" Spaniard. Ills fa< u became pab'. Iiis lips blue, and tbcii bo said loudly, for Iiis lein? per had mastered blm: "Tbo prim??? is in Paris' l wugcr u thousand plsb I : with any one Ibat 1 prove my words h,\ U o'clock tonlghtl" i "And 1 lake tbo wngorl" All eyes turned to the voice that camo from the middle of the hall, und then the crowd parted ns Lorgmio stepped forward, nud he and Chantoii uaj faced eneh other, their gluuees crossing like two rapiers. |< i>N< l.i DKDNKXT WKKK | PACTS A BOUT Cll K KSK- M AKINt! Wo have a cow in tliis country lor every rour "I tho inhabilants 'I his liberal allowance makes us iho largest prodtH or of dairy products in the \vt rid. in Spite of the fad that we do uol seem lo h ive the average Kuropcau's appreciation of the fond value of milk and its products. Wo |)rodltco more than any o'her country hi the world nimply because wo have a vcrv much larger population than any other im portent dairying country; bul in some of the older Kuiopcau lands two or three tunes as much milk and ellCCSO are consumed per capita a-- in I he I' nil - C(l Stales. Wo import inure quantities of fi r Cign cheeses. It is probable that many of our citizens who are fond of import i ed cheeses wltb world famous names, ! are not acquainted with even the broad general tacts concerning ibeir mnnu f eline. Some of these facts, collect ed h< re. may show that even the pro saic subject of dairying has interesting features. It has also its secrets that aii carefully preserved. Imitations ol I a number of famous cheeses me made in various counliies, but are very mi perfect as well us spurious. The bread facia of the manufacture are known, but liiere are certain essential details that arc not understood by outsideis w ho try lo r< produce Ihem. I'ew people who have not beeNilo Switzerland understand thai one of the greatest resources of the country is the Alpine pastures, wheic hundreds of thousands of ( oto < are driven i very summer alter the gras? is well sturted. I Pur up among Ihc mount dus the h< rd ei8 live, tending their he.,is and pro j ducing tons ami t. ns ei cheese. Then areneail) 2,111,101 acres in these Ai j pine pastures. AH winb i iho cows are fed on hay in the vnlloyn vviili no change in lie i; did nil the -in warms I the grassy .-lope- into life i In n iin \ I begin lo climb the no uioaiiis. Ai li - tiny gru/.o in the pu? tu.- ol ? v rulpou," for tho lnc h iucudo.\ i,. "millolulpcu," iu he cool raiiiinigh i altitudes, arc not remb loi Ihem li Iii*- season lias consul) ralil\ advanced, (iraduully they arc driven io the high er pastures, where they graze ail sum liter; Ihey do not leave these heights, watered by tliu melting snows from the glaciers, till frost compels them to seek lower altitudes; then Ihey de scend as slowly as they had climbed the Bloh18 III the spring, ami finally lind their w ay into Ibc stables among the valleys, where the farmers were cutting bay i? . tin in while Ihey wer? let ding on tl e uplands. While on .he pastures they are tend ed only by Hie herdsmen hired by tin cow-owners in eoino hamlet to take care of tllO animal* and make cheese from the milk they yield. At each ol the stages on the slow journey up ilie mountains theio is a hut in which tin senu of herdsmen live.-. It contains the cheese uutkiui; apparatus ; most ol the milk i-* made into cheese, though butter is also a considerable product. As soon as the senII steps out of his door he blows his Alpine horn, usually made ol blieb balk, and his little hold, obedient to tho accustomed call, come Opto the hut to he milked. The RCIIII leads a solitary bui very uuhitdiious .lie, r*>r his tune is fully occupied in milking, kcepitig the cows on the range and making the cheese and but ler. About once ill tWO Weeks sup plies an- -i nl up from tin* village, and the butter and cheese are taken down the mountains, to he divided among tin- owners of the cattle. A good deal ol cheese is also made in (be valleys, but a large part ol the Schweizer kase, km>w ii and relisln d all over the woiId, is made by tin so borders during their solitary life in the mountains. I'e hap- many ol the consumers id Uochfort cheese Imagine that it i> I made of low's mid;. The fact is, how ever, thai genuine Itocbl'oil is made outirely of nwi s' milk and i> a distinct ive prodiut of a very small dislriel al Hoi hl ort, among the limestone moun tains of Ihc Ccvcnncs in the south ol LVnitCO. The ait of making liocllfoit cheese was perfected there at least nine centuries ago ami u has been handed down through many genera tions, The most peculiar lea lure of it- manufacture being one wli)?l ic counls for (ho distinctive qualities ol tin- cheese is that it is "ripened" deep under the surface in natural limestone ea*es with which this region abounds ami in which Ihc Icmpcraluro is low ami equable the year round. In no olio r place can the cllOCSC be made to tale iln real properties of the Hoeh j fort. UnVCS have been excavated in olhi i phu es ror the purpo.-c ol making clu i hi - idculicnl in characteristics with tin nil liocllfoit, hul Ihc real article has m ve; yet hi en produced awa\ from ils native home in homo years ab< ut in niio,(,uii pounds of liochforl cl ? esc an made from iho milk ol -lOU, 000 ewes. The. round Dutch product, known a KM a in cjiccso, has one poeuliarhy that is shared by few Other cheeses n< tin Black Hair " I have used your Hair Vigor for five years and am greatly pleased v itli it. It certainly re stores the original color tc gray hair. It keeps my hair soft." ?Mrs. Helen Kilkenny, New Portland, Mc. Ayer's Hair Vigor lias been restoring color to gray hair for fifty years, and it never fails to do this work, cither. You can rely upon it for stopping your hair from falling, for keeping your scalp clean, and for making your hair grow. $1.00 a ttoitlc. All drufglid. If ynur ilnn-rni Cannot ftiipply you, dona send un OIIO il<>ll.ir niul wo w ill ex|>re?g you a bottle. Mo nur? And i;lv?> tlio imino of your nearest cxiircon OfflCO. Address, 1 ffp?gl C ASTORIA Vegetable Preparation l or As similatiivg ihc Food aiul Regula Uni* die Stomachs and Bowels of Infam is/Children GASTORIA For Infants and Children. The Kind You Have : Always Bought Bears the Promotes Digeslton.Chcci fid ness andHcsl.Conlains neither Opium.Morphine nor Mineral. Not Nahc?ti?. fttfiptDfOM PrXiM 'ELPtTCIlKR i\uwJtm <IW" . ,11 \ ?fiw/M ? I HotktlU SJu - I sttti.\r fofti ' \ /ttfbetnuM - UiriiHufuUr-tctfa * ll'im Xrr.l Climitrit Muiar Aperfccl Kemcdy rorConslipo lion. Sour Stomach,i lini rhoca Worms,! Convulsions .Fcveri -It ness and Loss of Si.khi?. far Simile Signature of x kw* york. tXACT COPY OF WRAPPER The practical side of science is reflected in A monthly publication of inestimable value i-> tho Bludent of every day scientific problems, tho incchanjo, tho industrial expert, (he manufacturer, the inventor ?in fact, i>> every wide awake person who hopes to Im Ltor Ins condition by using his brains. The Inventor, especially, will find in Tho Patent Record a guide, philosopher and friend. Nothing of importance escapes the vigilant eyes of its corps <-f expert editor-. Kv< rything is pre sented in clean, concise fashion, so that, the busiest may t ike lime t<> read and comprehend. Tho scientific and industrial progress < f tho ago is accur ately mirrored in the columns of The Patent Record, and it i the only publication in tho country that prints the olllcial news of du 1'. S. Patent Ollico and the latest devclopomcnts in tho field of invci lion wrthput te n or favor. buiikckiption pkick onus doi. vii ri:a vt .a. THE PATENT RECORD, Baltimore, Wid* world's markets. Tho factory niolh-| mis <>r cheese-making have been so rm* perfected that, as n rule, factory i regarded as superior In home-made choose hi Ihe sumo dint riet. I'rneti cally all tin- cheeses exported from Cm ada. tin- Inrgi st cheese-< xporling coun try in the world, are factory product*? Knorinotis quantities. <>i ICdiun cheese are both made in lac orics and at 'lie homes ol Ihc Dutch peasant farmers, and nobody can detect any dilVer? nee bclwei n the factory and Uu- home* made product, It is l-.dain cheese wherever it is mule in the district that produces it. This district is conlined to the region north <>!' Amsterdam ami wcid "i the /adder /.oe, a region of polders or reclaimed lands, rich in grass .ohl noted foi its duirj farms ami us fnmou* milkers, Sonu hody who was much impressed with Uicm; cows yielding seven trillions of milk a day, called them ''ambulating milk spinigs," and the compliment sei ms io he w 11 dcH-ivcd. Kdam cheese is made from their bounteous yield of milk. T??nr isi- who visit the Dutch marke) h wn of Alkmaar may Koinetimes see us mnny :is i!00,(>0() ol iIn hc little round clue is ready to bo shipped In various pnits of the world. <V( ir I'tb-A S?n. 11 A Iii s i i > It Kl AT I N nil. I'\\.M 11 \ Tin- cr<?s examine- was a Lilian 1 man, whose object was in disconcert the witness ami discredit Iii- testi mony. "What did you Say your name \\;i?7" V\ a- I he li i >l (|U( -lion. il Mi- had Uoberty." ?? Mi. blU I Doli, ily, eh V Now, Dobei i y, answer this i]uesiiou enioful \. Al e y U a mal net mull?" ?* Ul think so. Ol wa- :? urriod." ?? So you thin'; because you got mm riod Ibnl you an a mnriicd man. do you? Now, tell me whom you mar ried." ?? W ho Unhurried? I married a wo man." ?? Now, doil'l \ "U Know bettet Iluili to trille with the e< urlV (M ci iiix you married ti wom.ni; <lul you cvei hear ( f an\ one marrying ii mauV" Vi s. moi sister did, * I ?ondoii Sparc Moments, The county commissioners of t o . Ida have formed an association to aid in the work ot establishing uniform methods for work upon the puhbc roads of the Slate. 0harlo8ton and Western Oarolina R, N Auoiai'a ani> Asiikvii.i.k Hit out Link In effect May 20, 1001. Lv A iigusta. t" 05 h ?< ~>> i Ar 1 ? > ??.<nwo.nl.Ii 15p . '' A iiilerson. 7 I i i " I .an fens . . i > |> " (>reen vi lie.... . ,. a 2< > i " (JIdiiii HprillKB. .. . I l"i |i ' Spart an tai ri<. ? : i ? ??Hill.Ill. ft }JS |l ? lien h rsonvllle. i. 11 i " Ash. \ ill.-. 7 15 p ,v AhIiovIIIo. 7 ? . ? " lloiuiflrHonvllle. - ? ?? Flat Kock. 8 Iii h 41 Ka Inda. H ol? * " Try on. .. .. :? Ii I a Blnirtiiiiburi/i . . 12 In | " (.Ii mi Spring*. '?' "(' ? ?'. QH'CtlYillf. I i , " I.*iociih. 'I ?'<' 1 " A llll> THOll . 7 V'' ?' (?; <'< il. M I Ar aiitfiiwth. . .M i' lj\ Aiigi.nia. '?' iWJ I Ar Alloiwlale. I 42 i ? Knirfiix . . I 52 ! " Yoinaasi'o. ? ? ? 6.1 I " liuaiihnt. II (<> i '? Port Koyal.... . 7 UU i " Havannali. .... " Charleston. . .. .. i,v Charleston. . Port Koyal . .'? (it Beaufort.... . G ? ??< , YiMiiaasr-'. II -10 H (falrlai. 7 41 i Allendala. 7 W ? Ar AjignslH. I?1 00 ;? Close conooetlon at tlroenwooil for all points on s. A. L.and O. Itall\v*\ ami at Sparlnnburg with Southern Kmi way. For any information rslatlvn to t.i. k ? t>? rut?m, aohedulea, ato., address W. J. OSAJOfGaOi l'an*. Ar'-hi. is. M. North.Hoi. A?u AogO T.M. Kmkhhon, TralM o > an?K?r. Uro vii ? ;>.?., iily lhUjrt>' ? Ihn HIICS ... Ulli ! In- >vV*.-." Iii .<??< - ( '' r Ihm? Win. in. Ii, -- iliiul in i IV?; Willi Ii .-. II?! ???rinn - In-:' '<> i'' ? ? i -'i hi m eklies, .ml Im :i in \ MI i)< III < i Ml'- sIlO Inns rot' Iiiin at * >. in i ." -um . * . m. A ?-t..-- ul I buclU'lbr .-ti '.'' is that births siioiihl he niiuniinood undi'i' Ihn heul of ?? ..'.v iiiiisi ? " l'ii-!'.:'.-. Double Dau\ SLavicf. ( A IM TA I. "Vi P K"' I 14. |.al filii Kurth. KAst, S.uiiii und v <?-' rn? ?|iivl!r<l Scheillil '" Tat. America KxpoMiinii at liuii i <i t-cu i iir1 k- l s : M \ i . '!. i? 'i11. I.,?-:??. aniiah Central I .'l i";.m ! |li|>ill 1 . Ii ? I ?(?" !. :i l. . .'I >.nn 1 iii i i.ii.n i 11 Kasicrii ! i ioiini . li?|ini t'! 1111' 11 i': 111 I hcl Ar llamlci ... im in I5|>in bv ('(iihoiiii Tai . | fii'i'in ?. I 'iiiii \ ?-.I, (Irctriiwund. ?.: i'l Jim .'i' ir\m ? linlon .... .....'."> >; in , iTnin i ;ir!,'li'.:< I |i|ii i im ('Iii ftU'f .... I inpni 7 ? Silin ' i\\n\\ ''.i I ui'ii lion .... l |?tit 7 :! ? im Vi* bannt;. ? ? ? . 7 |0|un 10 l"am bv I I ri tri toi . ?1 i*am h< :tr>i>iri Ar ftUl,.'h.'<" I ic I '.'Iiiiii IVicrshur.'..' i 'cm l-ani : VVhi-hin ?i ? 11.7 " I" I1 am I! ? '? innre. 11 in II i'.siihi l'l.il del ' i.J ?:i? ? i I .".t.|>ni New York. i run I - |?in l'? ? i ? in. Norfolk.. ."im '. 0i hui No .YJ ; i 17 am I 'J |>|ll 1 lujim i :. '|.in 1 ? ! . . . \r .vft\ a i ;.!. .1 ni'l t??tivi Ic .. I an en. I v ? (in .vh i. I rtst ' , , . t ibi *k< ii . . . . i. ?.. Ahhi'VlUc i all mill l'a) \r All,. 11h Daily. I niIv. Nu I No; '.''7. . 7 Ivun II I."|?mi .. !i ?ahi i? .v.am .01 am I ii >am '! M'aili . ? 7nm .11. lain :: aui .. I I7|uii l .V.'am - ?1 ?in I l'J ,ili I am 'l chiii ' !i7li.ili ii tt illll '.' 1-,'in I IVim I '(?Hl I IS. in -* \> I'll) ii .'-um i iVimi.am (1 rech wood . _ . .'H 6im AhhovlU? . a ;?; in < all ..m. Pull?..I in\m Ar Ai iOUSi ?. . . .. f> IHi.ni Ada ?tu . 8 tot tri No t<l rnilnccls ai \Vnalilnj!l(Ui wilh if.e l'ciii ?y Ii in ia Im \ UuiTah? bxt re** irrivi',).' Itnil ah. 7 n'in t Hilm I i Newlitrfy A- I.in..-inn Urtlh nay I al So W,leavingColumbia, I'nion ? I ill it'Ii. V I J . it in t.m > , < oliliWtsni l Im Inn v il'i - V I Ity N'> f?<. n Hording short* i iii|i! ipili koSI taufe liv novorAl hoiirn lo A (lainIi. < I.;.t iainMif.il. N'fthl, vilio, Hl? Louis, I lill'il ?!> HI <l fill ??(>{IIIH W (?' I i i, m roiiiuollnii til If cffluirK, !:iili n.kihI. tVush'u i',t?n, I'or.ontoittl Norfolk, i .ill.it,! i t Htvniilinh, ,ln? ksoi-vlllc riiitl itlftii a ? nt' (hveiKliiM lilies. MngnltloQiil vestibule trains on frying llirmr:li I'll* I lit Ali I? i i'.iu; oArH beiVVCOll nil pru' ii ;ii |?oii is Kof fcdti 6(1 rate* I'iillll u. iv< nations, Old. lipi U i> \\ M Iii 111.1 Jli, Jl 1 \ .? \,,? i -id (in. (i. Mi l*. ; \ 111, i. I ( i . H ' .1 m Ha Kit, si v. r imi (l M . It j; \, III nc||,0 P A, I'ortamouil \ a. iVt< ? |?,Y 'Hi MMiN to, far mil v. land rcaay payments. No Corttii i i ni < ban borrower pays nr. lual mil ' f i erfm tin inn, i er? i J poi iioni, ui'. a i ordiin; in ??? ? nrity, ., NO. H PA I M Mi ,\ 80N ? olnwM* > C P (Mil IONH! i'i' I I IONS Mil ?l'.l Kl T. Mit? on! In I linn wo oan |?*.?sf?lltly on. Guar unit rot position*. Unckod hi V?U 0. Course* unoxoo-Kd, Kiilornaj Hint! CtitnloKiio free Address, COM Mill A hi ONKSM r;o|,LKUK Colombia b <