Argosy All-Story Weekly, February 23, 1924 — page 155: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A CENTAUR OF NAVARRE. They cheered him again for that. Serene pulled at my hand to have me kneel; and though I knew how he disliked it, I started to comply. ‘Not that,” he objected, holding out a hand; and then, quizzically: ‘‘ But think you not that I might kiss the bride?’”’ When he had touched Serene’s lips, he held her for a moment by the shoulders, then pushed her gently toward me. “Ventre Saint Gris, madame!” he ex- claimed ruefully, ‘‘ you make me wish that { had hanged him;” and he sighed and turned away. 7 The remainder of that day and that night we tarried at Rambouillet. Long after dusk had fallen, we sat, my lady and I, by one of the upper windows of the Hotel d’Orsang. Below us in the darkness the king’s horses stamped upon the lawn, and we could hear the tread of his sentinels on the walks. Serene nestled close and hid her face against my doublet. “Are the stars shining, Hilaire?” she whispered. And I-answered: “ They are all out, every one.” How the king was crowned at Chartres, and was received at last into Paris; how the League was broken, and Mayenne made his submission; these things have all been told by Master Matthieu. In many of the aims which he set out to accomplish Henri-has succeeded. He is a good king, the best France ever had. Most of his people love him. But there are mal- contents, some of them great and powerful. Among them is my turncoat uncle, M. the 318 Duke d’Epernon, grown more rich and pow- erful than ever —as I have noticed the wicked often do. I was with Navarre when he went to Paris, and I fought for him again in the north at Amiens. Moise is with him yet, and is in a fair way to both fame and wealth; and I hear that a young court beauty has set her cap for him. When the day came on which the king offered me a title and a place at court, I, having made up my mind to it long before, refused them. I am content to remain here at Chateau Duhamel with the blessings which have been vouchsafed me. Court is no place for a man with a pretty wife, especial- ly if he be the father of three children. Besides, I long before had refused a high- er title than any within the king’s gift. In that knowledge I am well content to remain the Sieur Duhamel. Torinaz has established himself at Rau- court. Since his return with honors from the wars, his name of Téte Grise* has fallen into disuse. He is known now as Dr. To- rinaz. Mark, dear old Mark, his red poll some- what grizzled now, is with us. Fanchon is still in my stables; and Leo, grown older and rusty in the joints, lies much by the hearth, where I have bidden. Silvie keep her broomstick off him. On occasions—when we entertain guests of note, or one of the children has a festi- val—Serene clasps around the dog’s white throat a collar of gold, set with brilliants. "Tis the gage he won at Ivry, the gift of a man so great that he would keep his promise to even a dog— King Henri of France and Navarre. THE END w Le} SEE YOURSELF AS YOU ARE UST stand aside and watch yourself go by; Think of yourself as '‘ he ” instead of ‘ I.” Pick flaws, find fault, forget the man is you, And strive to make your estimate ring true. Confront yourself and look you in the eye— Just stand aside and watch yourself go by. Leon Gertsman. COMIC OOO KS (E@)