Central High School - Cog N Pen Yearbook (Newark, NJ)

Page 12 text:

Monsieur, spoke L'Estrange, in a voice entirely sober and deathly cold, this must be avenged. You must fight me tonight, now in fact, as in an hour, we leave. Raoul bowed. Then Roxie burst forth, ‘Raoul, if you love me, do not fight, you will be killed. Her voice rose, I beg of you, my dear betrothed, do not fight. Raoul, tight lipped, spoke: Gentlemen, I zo to bring my beloved home. But I return before the Adieu. Then turning to Roxie, he said, “Соте, dear one, the hour is late. It is high time you were safe in your mother's arms. Allons.” He strode out into the starry night, followed by the tearful Roxie. hour is ten. Flower of flowers, he said to Roxie, “по! even for you can I jeopardize my honor. I will teach this unruly pig of a nobleman to stay where he belongs and to keep his soiled hands away from my lily. Finally they arrived home. In а few terse words, Raoul explained everything. Valtier nodded under- standingly and with a crushing grip of hands wished him luck while Mme. Valtier kissed him. Roxie had gone to bed where she cried herself into a troubled sleep. Raoul immediately went to his sword. rooms for his outside the village, Raoul was one of the best of France's swordmen. Still he knew that he was to face a worthy opponent, for in L'Estrange, he was pitted against Nobility': deadliest sword. Unknown to anyone Soon he arrived at the Inn; every thing had been prepared and cleared away. He burst through the door and, taking off his coat (L'Estrange had his off already) Raoul unsheathed his sword and began to make passes in the air. After a moment or two he was satisfied. His wrist had not lost its flexibility by any means. Raoul approached L'Estrange and smilingly said, I am ready, Jean Jacques yonder, and he pointed to a friend of his, will second me.” L'Estrange bowed coldly. They both went to the center of the room, raised their weapons and the fight was on. Raoul was cautious and played the defensive as he wanted to test L’Estrange’s abilities. He was impressed by the skillful way іп which L'Estrange handled his weapon and knew that his adversary would press him hard. However, L’- Estrange angered that this peasant should give him such a hard battle, doubled the fury of his attack. But, this frenzy was short lived and soon L’Estrange found himself breathing hard. Now Raoul took the the offensive. The clash of stee! resounded through the entire Inn. both Lightning-like thrusts were evident on Feint thrust But it seemed that L'Estrange was getting heavy on his feet. sides. parry and so it was. His eyes were glaring and his tongue was dry: Не seemed to be battling against a resistless Time and again as he would glance at Raoul's eyes, he would become disheartened, for there lurked but “опе kill. Finally Raoul thought that L’Estrange had gone far enough. force. purpose—to And now the spectators were treated to a bit of sword play that made their eyes glisten. Like a flame was Raoul’s glittering here and there and parrying: sword -feinting—thrusting At last with a tremendous thrust he drove his sword through L’Estrange and watched him fall as the death rattle sounded in his throat. [he Nobility, too amazed to do anything, could only gaze awe stricken at their fallen comrade. That he, L'Estrange, the deadliest sword of all France, should have been killed by a mere commoner and killed by superior swordsmanship was quite impos- sible. Raoul quick to grasp his opportunity, ran from the Inn. For he knew that {о Бе caught now by the Nobility would mean death. Already had M. -Guillotine made his appearance with his deadly instrument of destruction. So with the speed of a deer, he ran to Valtier’s home, where he found Valtier waiting ouside for him anxiously with a saddled horse and other necessities. “Сод speed, my boy, he whispered to Raoul, little dreaming that he would never see him again. Now, like a flitting shadow, Roxie appeared, with eyes red from weeping. Raoul took her in his arms. Desire of my heart, he spoke pantingly, “І must gd. But not for long. Не covered her lips nnd cheeks with kisses and then, thrusting her from him, mounted his horse and, with a wave of his hand rode away into the night. Faintly o'er the hills came the threatening beat of rolling drums. Drums of vengeance! They called incessantly, Roxie and her father, hand in hand gazed silently after the fast disappearing figure. At length with a

Page 11 text:

work, and Roxie to continue her wanderings о ег the country-side. Like a flitting bird she sped away over trickling brooks and fallen leaves, racing with the Like this she roamed the whole day, stopping in one place to eat some berries and drink from a brook. At length when the day began to wane, Roxie, tired but happy, with her for her darling Lights had already begun to appear in some houses—crickets chirped and the frogs croaked and splashed in the distant swamp, the moon peeked forth from behind a fast disappearing cloud—a myriad of stars shone brightly against the dark blue of the tranquil heavens while down by the old mill the wild roses cast a delicate scent over the entire neighborhood—an owl hooted mournfully іп a nearby tree—nightfall. Roxie came into the house, received a mild scold- twittering birds and bees. arms full of sweet wild flowers mother, tramped slowly into the village. ing from her mother as was usual, which she kissed away as usual, put the flowers in a vase and went to her room. Not much later she reappeared in a quaint little gown, her hair surrounded by a ribbon while tiny feet peeped forth from beneath her exceedingly Came supper—the prayer and then the cattle of dishes. Pere and Mere Valtier beamed proudly upon their loving daughter and felt devoutly thankful to the Almighty for having blessed them with such a dainty piece of femininity. After supper, the dishes washed and. put away, Roxie sat down to wait for Raoul. Mother sat busily knitting, while great, big father puffed contentedly on his briar and read the news of the day. Suddenly came a knock on the door. Roxie sprang up, went to the door and admitted the expected one. He came in, entirely at ease, bowed to her parents and began to talk of what was going on. Yes, the Revolutionists were stirring up trouble. War was inevitable. The people must have liberty and. be freed from the oppression and tyranny vf the Nobility. If the opportunity came, he himself would go. It was his pledge. His pledge to his dead parents. Roxie shuddered, and with a forced laugh said, “Соте, stop this talk of war and disaster. Come Raoul, we will out and play with the moonbeams. See, they beckon. And with this they went out together leaving the Valtiers to speak in a troubled fa-hion of this cloud that hovered on the horizon. wide dress. It unnerves me. My God, muttered Valtier. “If this war should come, I dread to think what would happen to us. Mon dieu, the Four Horsemen would ride on faster than ever. Mme. Valtier sighed but made no comment. Meanwhile Roxie and Raoul had th rown aside trouble and were now only concerned in one another. They walked arm in arm towards the Inn, whispering softly. On the way, they paused at the head of the lake and gazed out on the clear expanse of water Save for the droning insects and the soft lapping of the waters on Raoul and Roxie, however, At length they arrived The cheery lights and laughter beckoned to All was merry. squeaky fiddlers in the corner played while the people that was now as smooth as a mirror. the shore, all was quiet. soon continued on to the Inn. there. them, so in they went. The two danced until, in a great burst of applause the dance Raoul and Roxie quietly went to a comer It was ended. table and began to sip wine and eat cake. a cheerful atmosphere. No one dreamed of the hor- rors that were soon to come. Suddenly, the door burst open and a crowd of noblemen (probably bound for some castle) entered and demanded wine in boisterous tones, disdainfully gazing at the same time, at the hushed people. Roxie and Raoul paid no attention to them but continued to whisper to one another. So the hours flew. It was time to go, so they both arose and started for the door. The noblemen, in the meantime had been drinking heavily and as Raoul and Roxie passed them, they all glanced at the belle of the town and ad- mired her refined beauty and lithe figure in audible tones. One nobleman, L’Estrange, by name, stag- gered noisily after them and clumsily stretched put his hand to detain Roxie. Stay, my doll, he spoke, stay awhile longer. Raoul, who had been :tand- ing near, took a step forward until he stood between Roxie and L'Estrange. Then with a sudden move- ment he brought his hand with a sudden slap to the cheek of L'Estrange. The room grew painfully sil- ent. L'Estrange sobered a bit. Не was white and the imprint of Raoul’s hand was still on his cheek. Raoul, a step away, was trembling with passion, while Roxie, holding his arm was very much afraid. I want you to kiss me.”

Page 13 text:

R Ат ст оа МА 1411 sigh, Roxie went into the house, while her father, who ішпей io follow her, thought “It is the begin- ning of the end.” heart Raoul in the meantime, sped away, his heavy with sorrow; and just as faint streaks of gray tinged the heavens, he rode into the town of Lerveaux, Tired and He gruffly ordered some food and closing his eyes, thought picturesque for its surrounding country. dusty he dismounted at the Inn and entered. bitterly of what had transpired in the last few hours. His meditation was abruptly brought to a close by a Springing up, Raoul hearty slap on the shoulder. was confronted by Luis Rondre, a lifelong friend and companion. Raoul, he said, “із it really you? Mon dieu, I have not seen you for ages, son of my father’s And the fair Roxie?” To Luis, Raoul opened his heart and told him of the wicked blow Fate had dealt him. Luis was a friend. How are you? sympathetic listener and after Raoul had finished, Raoul, the time Two days hence shall the citizenry of Ler- Luis said in a low tone of voice: 15 ripe. veaux rise to arms. We have withstood outrage after But yesterday was M. Lariespierre brutally murdered. Не was a kind and gentle man and his foul death has brought forth many vows of wen- But, Raoul, will you join us to rid pur- He had arisen and with flashing eyes, unconsciously posed dramatically. Raoul outrage. geance. selves of the oppressor?” was thrilled and jumping up, he gave his hand to Luis and said simply: “То the end!” The spark The streets of Lerveaux were imcom- Rolling drums! Fires of vengeance! was kindled. monly still this day. Then from an alleyway darted a figure. He was tall and terrible looking. He waved a sword aloft and beckoned apparently to no one. Almost upon the instant, the men of the village and even women with hoarse cries and waving weapons ran to the caller. Two hundred and fifty strong they were—all bent on one purpose—to crush the yoke of tyranny. ‘The drums rattled. On to Rantesse, was the cry. Nobility!” “Down with Равт JI. The struggle for freedom was Slowly the Months passed. perceptably lessening. peasantry were bloodshed were Strife and In Balliere had the rabble ;t- downing the Nobles. everywhere visible. tacked the castle of De Rurey, one of the most pow- erful and greatest nobles of the age, and had mas- sacred the entire household. They had put firebrands to the castle and now but a heap of smoking ruins remained. Raoul had in the meantime been extremely busy with war. Twice already he had saved the day for Now he had become a spy, and his daring and bravery peasants—once at Rarre and again at Ferrisse. had become a threat to all Nobility. And one day Raoul was stricken to learn from a soldier that Roxie’s parents News traveled fast. had both been brutally murdered. Roxie was saved from the same fate only because she was absent at the time. Now she lived a life of remorse and grief, but greatly embittered at the Nobility. This news stunned Raoul and for a few days afterwards he was not his own self. But then he tumed back to his work. Night! sign of strife! A red glow is seen in the heavens. The They leaped high into the heavens, crackling threateningly. Fires of vengeance! Rows and rows of sleeping soldiers. The sentries pacing back and forth. Suddenly a figure scurries across a lighted place and then hides in the obscure Abruptly a shot rings out, and a flash of flame stabs the darkness. darkness. Silence! The figure rises There is But this soon dies away and then falls, but crawls painfully away. a great bustle in the camp. and slumber again reigns supreme. Daybreak! Consey, headquarters of the peasants. Danton, pock-marked one, in his quarters in the village or- A man crawling over the ground, near Immediately, France's known as the greatest orator, dered two soldiers to bring in the fallen man. It was They lifted him tender- ly and brought him to the house, where the best pos- Raoul, almost unconscious. sible care was given him. А few days later, as Raoul awoke from his sleep, his eyes strayed to the window. Almost simultaneously six rifle shots rang out, and a man fell, stone dead. He was a deserter. (Continued on page 88)