Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 31, Number 321, 19 December 1906 — Page 17

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i diiaumm industrial Edition.

i-age Seven

THE

REFUGEES

By A. CONAN D6YLE, Author of "The Return of Stsrlock Holmes"

BROTHERS

"Xo, no; I am sorry It 1 spoke too astlly," said Louis. "We shall look

to the matter at our council. And

et you must not look for too much.

br Canada has been a heavy cost to

s, and we hare many calls la Euope." "Ah, sire, I would that you could see

hat great land. It 13 bo vast, sire, so

ich, po beautiful! Where are there uch hills, such forests, such rivers?

Knd it is all for us if we will but take t. Who ta there to stand in our way-

few nations of scattered Indians and

tbia strip of English farmers and shermcn. Turn your thoughts there, ire, and In a few years you would be ble to stand upon your citafcel at Que-

ec and to say there is one preat em-

Ire here from the .snows of the north

o the warm southern gulf and from

he waves of the ocean to the great ilains beyond Marquette's river, and

he name of this empire is France, and ner kin;? U Louis, and her flag is the

leurs-dedis." "On my word, count," said the king, 'you have caught something of this rift of Indian eloquence of which we iave heard. But about these English oik. They are Huguenots, are they I0t?" "For the most part, especially in the iortb."

"Then it might be a service to the oly church to send them packing. Tell ae now, Frontenac, what force would ou need to clear these people out -ae regiment, two regiments and peraps a frigate or two?" But the cx-governor shook his grizled bead. "You do not know them. Ire," said he. "They are a stern folk, hose. We in Canada, with all your rneious help, have found It hard to

old our own. To put New England iifo your majesty's hands I would ask o' jO of your best troops and twenty hip of the line." Lonls fprnng impatiently from his hair and caiiTht up U cane. "The aattcr may Ftmid until our council, teverend filter, it hns struck the hour f chnpel, and nil cl? may wait until have p jM our !;it'es to heaven."

man in tne court or r ranee. "Ah, It is Captain de Catinat? said Mme. de Montespan, with a smi.?. "Your humble servant, marquise." "I am fortunate in finding a friend here, for there has been tome ridiculous mistake this morning." "I am concerned to hear it." "It was about my brother. II. de VIronne. It is almost too laughable to mention, but he was actually refused admission to the lever." "It was my misfortune to have to refuse him, madame." "You. Captain de Catinat? And by what right?" She bad drawn up her superb figure, and her large blue eyes were blazing with Indignant astonishment. "The king's order, madame." The king! Is it likely that the king would cast a public slight upon my family? From whom had you this preposterous order?" "Direct from the king through Bontems." "Absurd! Do you think that the king would venture to exclude a Mortemart through the mouth cf a valet? Go, tell the king that I am here and would have a word with him." "Impossible, madame. I have been forbidden to carry a message." "To carry any message?" "Any from you, madame." "Come, captain, you improve. It only needed this insult to make the thing complete. You may carry a message to the king from any adventuress, from any decayed governess" she laughed

The monarch slipped it into the pock, et of his scarlet undervest and was advancing once more when his eyes fell upon Mme. de Montespan standing very stiff and erect in the middle of the passage. 'A dark flush of anger shot to his brow and he walked swiftly past her without a word, but she turned and kept pace with him down the corridor. "I had not expected this honor, madame," said he. "I wished to hear my fate from your own lips," she whispered. "I can bear to be struck myself, sire, even by him who has my heart, but it is hard to hear that one's brother has been wounded through the mouths of valei3 and Huguenot soldiers for no fault of his save that his sister has loved too fondly." "It is no time to speak of such things." "When can I see yon, then, sire?" "In your chamber r.t -i." "Then I shall trouble your majesty no further." She swept him one of the graceful courtesies for which she was famous, and turned away down a side passage with triumph shining In her eyes.

TT oris Li

c:ia:'ti:i; m.

nj7T7n;i.:: Louis bad ben af K''if Ui". hi -c;;rt that whic

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fford-

hieh he

wily stated to be the f n( hiii-irm pleasures, i o; I face, the young ;r I o;i:r:J' Lad been ! ; '-.i t'n titles of t!ie .,; i'Imis;-.io'i and Y.y ; ;::n:le or a fow

with tlu'in, for bis f.i-'e was a wtI!

uu'vii o.ie at t!j' court. " Tlave years :o I:e bad been an uuknown subaltern

Kusli l;;iiiing with Algonquin and lro-

,;iois ia the wild.4 of Canada. An :;- jhanrc had brought him back to France hvl into the regiment of Picardy. but he lucky chance of having seized tba

ridle of the king's horse one winter's

y : y p ! - -..t :

(ford ;f :;.v;t;u':

01: LfeSf" I

lie slipped in front of her. shri!ly at her description of her rival-

by In Fontainebleau when the crea-; "but none from Francoise de Morte-

?:re was plunging within a few yards n deep gravel pit had done for him hat ten campaigns might have failed accomplish. A gentleman very richly dressed In ; lack and silver advanced, as the door pened, with the assured air of a man jhose right are beyond dispute. Capita de Catinat, however, took a quick tep forward, and barred him off from lie door. "I a;;i very sorry, M. de Vlvonne," all he, "but you are forbidden tho presence." ; "Forbidden the presence! I? You are ipad!" He stepped back witv gray face , nd staring eyes, one shaking hand jjalf raised in protest. "I assure you that it is his order." J "If I could haVe one word with the

; ing."

; "Unfortunately, monsieur. It is Impossible." ' . j! The angry nobleman stamped his foot Jid stared at tho door as thongh he

Tige.' Then, turnlns on his heel, he

mart. Marquise de Montespan

"Such are my orders, madame.- It pains me deeply to be compelled to carry them out." "You may spare your protestations, captain. You may yet find that you have every reason to be deeply pained. For the last time, do you refuse to carry my message?" "I must, madame." . "Then I carry it myself." She sprang forward at the door, but he slipped in front of her with outstretched arms. . "For God's sake, consider yourself, madame!" he entreated. "Other eyes are upon you." Tab! Canaille V She glanced at the knot of Switzers, whose sergeant had drawn them oDC a few paces and who stood open eyed, staring at the scene. 'l tell you that I will see the king." i "You will ruin me if you pass." "And none the less I shall do so."

CIIAPTEI IV.

OUIS had walked on to his devo-

ons in no very charitable

frame of mind, as was easily to

e seen from his clouded brow

! and compressed lips. He knew his late t favorite well, her impulsiveness, her

audacity, her lack of all restraint when thwarted or opposed. She was capable of making a hideous scandal, of turning against him that bitter tongue which had so often made him laugh at the expense of others, perhaps even of making some public exposure which would leave him the butt and gossip of Europe. He shuddered at the' thought. At all costs such a, catastrophe must be averted. And yet hdw could he cut the tie which bound them? This-woman would struggle hard, fight to the bitter end. before she would quit the position which was so dear to her. She spoke of her wrongs. What were her wrongs? In his Intense selfishness, nurtured by the eternal flattery which was the very air he breathed, he could not see

that the fifteen years of her life which he had absorbed or the loss of the husband whom he had supplanted gave her any claim upon him. In hia view he had raised her to the highest position which a subject could occupy. Now he was weary of her, and It was ber duty to retire with resignation nay, even with gratitude for past favors. She should have a pension, and the children should be cared for. What could a reasonable woman ask for

I more? I On the whole, his conscience acquit- ! ted him. But In this one matter he had j been lax. From, the first coming of

his gentle and forgiving young wife from Spain he had never once permitted her to be without a rival. Now that she was dead the matter was no better. One favorite had succeeded another, and if De Montespan had held her own so long It was rather from her audacity than from his affection. But now Father la Chaise and Bossuet were ever reminding him that he had topped the summit of his life and was already upon that downward path which leads to the grave. The time had come for gravity and for calm, neither of which was to be expected In the company of Mme. de Montespan. But he had found out where they were to be enjoyed. From the day when De Montespan had Introduced the stately and silent widow as a governess for his children he had found a never failing and ever increasing pleasure in her society. For a time he had thought that her piety and her talk of principle might be a mere mask, for he was accustomed to hypocrisy all round him. It was surely unlikely that a woman who was still beautiful, with as bright an eye and as graceful a figure as any in his court, could after a life spent in the gayest circles preserve the spirit of a nun. But on this point he was soon undeceived, for when his own language had become warmer than that of friendship he had been met by an Iciness of manner and

I a brevity of speech which had shown ! him that there was one woman at least

In his dominions who had a higher respect for herself than for him. . And perhaps it was better so. The placid pleasures of friendship were very soothing after the storms of passion. To sit In her room every afternoon, to listen to talk which was not tainted

Twenty or. tee tame aragoons or Languedoc are quartered In my house.

with Captain Dalbert at their head. They have devoured my food, stolen

my property and beaten my servants.

yet the magistrates will give me no re

dress." "On my life, justice seems to be ad

ministered in a strange fashion In our

city of Paris!" exclaimed the king. "And yet there may be a very good reason for it," suggested Pere la

Chaise. T would suggest that your

majesty should ask this man his name, his business and why it was that the dragoons were quartered upon him." "You hear the reverend father's question." "My name. sire, is Catinat, by trade I am a merchant in cloth, and I am treated in this fashion because I am of the Reformed church." The king shook his head and his brow darkened. "You have only yourself to tbank, then. The remedy Is in your Lands." "And how, sire?" "By embracing the only true faith." I am already a member of It. sire." The king stamped his foot angrily. "I can see that you are a very insolent heretic." said he. "There is but one church in France, and that is my church. If you are outside that you cannot look to me for aid." "My creed is that of my father, sire, and that of my grandfather." "If they have sinned it. is no reason why you should. My own grandfather erred also before his eyes were epened." "But he nobly atoned for his error," murmured the Jesuit. "Then you will not help me, sire?" "You must first help yourself." The old Huguenot stood up with a gesture of despair, while the king continued on his way, the two ecclesiastics on either side of him murmuring their approval into his ears. But the king bore the face of a man who was not absolutely satisfied with his own action. s"You do not think, then, that these people have too hard a. measure?" said he. "I hear that they are leaving my kingdom in great numbers." "And surely It is better so, sire, for what blessing can come upon a country which has such stubborn infidels within its boundaries?" "Those who are traitors to God can

scarce be loyal to the king," remarked

Hil7 W 0

!he air of a man who has come to a ed in her presence, or effrontery, as it

ecision.

TUe matter looked serious. De Cat!

nat was a man of resource, but for-with flattery and to hear opinions once he was at his wits' end. Mme. de ! which were not framed to please his Montespan's resolution, as it was call-' ear were the occupations now of his

1; "There, now," grumbled De Catinat himself, as he pulled his thick dark fjiuslaebe, 'he ia off to make some resh mischief. I'll have his sister here presently, as like as not, and a pleasant :ttle choice between breaking my orders and making an enemy of her for fe. By my faith, here is a lady, as I eared. Ah, heaven be praised, it U a

j-iend and not a foe. Good morning, pi lie. Nanon." k."Gaod morning. Captain de Catinat." " rr ...

iue newcomer was a tan, graceful

.me newcomer was a

runette. her fresh face and sparkling on his way to tDe chapel in an instant.' lack eyes the brighter in contrast with j 441t Is not 5"et time."

verblal. If she attempted to force her way, would he venture to use violence

tipon one who only yesterday held the Ler and De Montespan

fortunes of the whole court in the hollow of her hand and who, with her beauty, her wit and her energy, might very well be In the same position tomorrow? If she passed him, then his future was ruined with the king, who never brooked the smallest deviation from his orders. "If madame would deign to wait,"

said he soothingly, "the king will be

l-er plain dress.

uun- iiuii .11 uit-. ue uainienon the king. You will hand it to him, Mil you not?" ' "Certainly, mademoiselle. And how l madame, your mistress?" "Oh. her director has been with her J.J1 the morning, and his talk is very. ery good, but it is also very, very sad. ' iTe are xxyt very cheerful when M. Gold has been to see us. But I forget

yijonsleur is a Huguenot and knows

jTPthing of directors."

I Oh. but I do not trouble about such I with him." t. f 't WW

'I think the hour has Just gone.'

"Ancl why should I wait like a lackey t "It Is but a moment, madame." . "No. I shall not wait." She took a step forward toward the door. But the guardsman's quick ear had caught the sound of moving feet from vithia. and he knew that he was master of the situation. "I will take madame's message." said he. "Ah. you have recovered your senses!

Go. tell the king that I wish to speak

relfferences."

M "Ah. if monsieur could talk to. Mme. ( J Malntenon a little! She would con-'iaertbim."

wouia ratner taiK to aiiie. rsanoo,

-jilt if

iy"Oh!" There was an exclamation, a ,-hisk of dark skirts, and the soubrette disappeared down a side passage. Along the broad lighted corridor was Riding a very stately and beautiful ldy, tall, graceful and exceedingly jaughty. ' The lady was past her first jouth. It Is true, but the magnificent ten-"8 of ber queenly figure, the purity j jf ber complexion, the brightness of er deep lashed blue eyes and the clear

tl?gularity of her features enabled her till to claim to be the moat handsome ,i .well as the sjoct sharp tangruf-d wo

He must gain a little time yet. "Shall

I say it through the lord In waiting?" "No: yourself." "Publicly?" "No, no; for his private ear. ShalI I "give a" reason for your" request?" "Oh. you madden me! Say what I have told you. and at once." But the young officer's dilemma was happily over. At that instant the double doors were swung open, and Louis appeared In the opening, strutting forward on bis high heeled shoes, his stick tapping, his broad skirts flapping and his courtiers spreading out behind him. He stopped as be came out and turned to the captain of the guard. "Yon have a note far nae?"

happiest hours. And then her Influence over him was all so good! And now he knew that the time had come when he must choose between

Their Influ

ences were antagonistic. They could not continue together. He stood between virtue and vice, and he must choose. Such were the thoughts which ran through the king's head as he bent over the rich crimson cushion which

topped his priedieu of carved oak. He I to the 8tate of tne treasures of their knelt in his own inclosure to the right ; sees we might then do without these of th nltnr with hia fm.irria and hi Huguenot taxes."

.... ... ... ...!"

immediate nousenoia arouna nim, wmie

"J can see that you are a very insolent heretic," said he. Bossuet. "Your majesty's power would be greater If there were no temple, as they call their dens of heresy, witliTn

your dominions." "My grandfather has promised them protection. They are shielded, as you well know, by the edict which he gave at Nantes." "But it lies with your majesty to undo the mischief that has been done." r"And how?" . s'By recalling the edict." "And driving Into the open arms of my enemies 2,000.000 of my best artisans and cf my bravest servants. How say you, Louvois?" "With all respect to the church, sire, I would say that the devil has given these men such cunning of hand and of brain that they are the best workers and traders In your majesty's kingdom. I know not how the state coffers are to be filled if such taxpayers go from among us." "But," remarked Bossuet, "If It were once known that the king's will had been expressed your majesty may rest assured that f ven the worst of his subjects bear him such love that they would hasten to come within the pale of the holy church." The king shook his head. "They have always been stubborn folk," said he. "Perhaps," remarked Louvois, glancing maliciously at Bossuet, "were the bishops of France to make an offering

the court, ladies and cavaliers, filled the chapel. Piety was a fashion now, like dark overcoats and lace cravats. and no courtier was so worldly minded

as not to have had a touch of grace since the king had taken to religion. It was the habit of Louis as he walked back from the chapel to receive petitions or to listen to any tales of wrong which his subjects might bring to him. On this particular morning there were but two or threes a Parisian who conceived himself injured by the provost of his guild, a peasant whose cow had been torn by a huntsman's dog and a farmer who had had hard usage from his feudal lord. A few questions and then a hurried order to bis secretary disposed of each case. He was about to resume his way again when an elderly man. clad in the garb of a respectable citizen and with a strong, deep lined face which marked Lim as a man of character, darted forward and threw himself down upon one knee in front of the monarch. "What is this?" asked Louis. "Who are you, and what is it that you want? "I am a citizen of Paris, and I haTe been cruelly wronged." "You seem a very worthy person. If you have indeed been wronged you

shall have redress. JVbat have you to

k 0m.-:

The kingdom is mine and all that is

In It," remarked Louis as they entered the grand salon in which the court assembled after chapel, "yet I trust that it may be long before I have to claim wealth of the church. Where I

Mansard? I must see his plans for the

new wing at Marly." "I think," said Pere la Chaise, drawing Bossuet aside, "that your grace has made some impression upon the king's mind." "With your powerful assistance, father." "But there is another who has more weight than I Mme. de Maintenon." "I hear that she is very devout." "Very. But she has no love for my order. She is a Sulpician. Yet we may all work to one end. "Now, if you were to speak to her, your grace. Show her how good a service it would be could she bring about the banishment of the Huguenots." "I shall do so." "And offer her In return that we will promote" He bent forward and whispered into the prelate's ear. - "What! He would not do It." "And why? The queen Is dead. "The widow of the poet Scarron!" "She is of good birth. Her grandfather and bis were dear friends. If she will serve the church, the church will serve ber. But the king beckons, and I must go." Thm th la drk figure -hastened on

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through the throng of court'iers. and the great bishop of Meaux remained standing with bis chin upon his breast, sunk in reflection.

cn A PTE It V. IIE elderly Huguenot had stood silent after his repulse by the king, with his eyes cast mood11 v downward and a face in

which doubt, ssrrow and anger contended for the mastery. He was a very large, gaunt man. rawboued and haggard, with a wide forehead, a "large, fleshy nose and a powerful chin. He was dressed as became his rank, plainly and yet well, in a sad colored brown kersey coat with silver plated buttons, knee breeches of the same and white woolen stockings, ending in broad toed black leather shoes cut across with a great steel buckle. His doubts as to what his next step should be were soon resolved for him In a very summary fashion. These were days when, if the Huguenot was not absolutely forbidden in France, he was at least looked upon as a man who existed upon sutTerauce. and who was unshielded by the laws which protected his Catholic fellow subjects. For twenty years the stringency of the persecution had increased until there was no weapon which bigotry could employ, short of absolute expulsion, which had not been turned against him. Two of the king's big blue coated guardsmen were on-duty at that side of the palace and bad been witnesses to his unsuccessful appeal. Now they

tramped across tegether to where be was standing and broke brutally into the current of his thoughts. "Now. Hymnbooks." said one gruffly, "get off again about your business." The old Huguenot shot a glance of anger and contempt at them and was turning to go when one of them thrust at bis ribs with the butt end of his halberd. "Take that, you dog!" be cried. "Would you dare to look like that at the king's guard?" "Children of Belial!" criad the old man, with his hand pressed to his side, "were I twenty years younger you would not have dared to use me so." "Ha. you would still spit your venom, would you? That is enough. Andre! He has threatened the king's guard. Let us seize him and drag him to the guardroom." The two soldiers dropped their halberds, and rushed upon the old man, bm tall and strong as they were, they found it no easy matter to secure him. They had hardly won their pitiful victory, however, before a stern voice and a sword flashing before their eyes compelled them to release their prisoner once more. It was Captain de Catinat, who. bis morning duties over, bad strolled out on the terrace and had come upon this sudden scene of outrage. At the 6ight of the old man's face he gave a violent start and, drawing bis sword, had rushed forward with snch fury that the two guardsmen not only dropped their victim, but. staggering back from the threatening sword point, one of them slipped and the other rolled over him. a revolving mass of blue coat and white kersey. "Villains!" roared De Catinat. "What Is the meaning of this?" The two had stumbled to their feet again, very shamefaced and ruQed. "If you please, captain." said one, saluting, "this Is a Huguenot who abused the royal guard." f "His petition had been rejected by

the king, captain, and yetffce refused to

go."

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