The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1877-11-08


ment. On the heights of Montmorency,
from which I had an opportunity of OBJ
serving the destruction of the capital of
civilization by the advocates of liberty,
equality, and fraternity, and by their OPP
pOnents, the advocates Of Justice, order,
and law, could overlook that part Of the
town in which Jeanne de Villers lived. 1
was glad to see that it remained unhurt
by the fre-balls, the petroleum-bombs,
the incendiarism, and similar material
manifestations ofthe genius of the Grande
Nation. And now the conflict was over.
Justice and order-thanks to the Chas
sepot and the mitrailleuse-had re-
deemed from the reign OF terror and
equality the city burned to ashes by
liberty and Fraternity.
Liberty and fraternity had made ter
rible atonement Justice and order had
done merciless work. The most beautiful
monuments of the Mecca of civilization
were burned down by the men of prog
ress. For this the advocates Of the law
had summarily shot down everything that
stood in their path, everything that might
stand in their path, or that could in any
way afford ground for mistrust and sus-
picion. The streets were covered with
mangled bodies of men, women and chill
dren, and the spokesman Of public opinion
in France, after having lamented and be-
moaned themselves in the first issue OF
their journals, had not failed in the Sec
ond issue to call the worlds attention to
the fact that the French army, in conse-
ouence of the victory it had achieved, had
once more reinstated France in her proper
aeat of power in the van of civilization.
Everything was again in exemplary order.
| availed myself of this favorable moment
of rare tranquility to execute at last the
commission entrusted to me SO many
months before I had no difficulty in
finding the house that had been indicated.
1t was a beautiful spacious edifice. The
porter who stuck his head from the con-
cierge box, had dignifed, sedate ap-
pearance.
"Does Mademoiselle deVillers live here?"
l asked.
"Mademoiselle! answered he.
" No doubt you mean Nine. de Villers!'
suddenly remembered that it did, in
deed sound unbecoming to ask for young
ady, and replied:
"Of course; l mean Nine. de Vii
lers'
Second story, left door," and the little
window was shut again. A pretty servant
maid, wearing snow-white coquettish
little morning-cap, opened the door, and
looked at me lnqulringly.
81 wish to speak to Nine. de Villers, y
said l. The servant maid inspected me
for moment, then courtesied and ushered
me in. l followed her in some embar-
rassment. I had pictured quite other
wise my entrance into the house of poor
jacques beloved. The parlor into which
the maid had led me was of striking ele-
gance.
"Whom have l the honor OF announc-
ing?" asked my conductress.
| handed her my card. Mime. de
Villers does not know me-" | added.
"Tell her, please, that l am here on an
errand from friend of the family"
The card was taken from me, and the
bearer disappeared behind the heavy silk
hangings which covered the door. l was
kept waiting long time. l examined
the room in which found myself. Never
had seen such extravaganza and lux
ury. A costly Ambusson carpet covered
the floor; curtains of heavy antique stuffs
concealed doors and windows, and yelled
the room in a mysterious twilight. A
richly -ornamented rosewood piano, such
as is generally seen at expositions, at
tracted my eyes. The comfortable seats
and couches were covered with silk
damask. The clock and candelabra on
the mantel were perfect works ofart. On
the tables, the chimney piece, the piano,
wherever one looked, lay, or stood art
treasures of every description-Chinese
vases, antique Sevres cups, japanese
caskets and chests, ivory cases and carv-
ings, curious weapons (amOng them a
dagger whose hilt and sheath were adorn.
ed with precious stones), and hundred
other similar objects. | noticed, with
some surprise, that an onyx box stood on
the mantel, in which were Russian papyri
of different sizes. A single picture orna-
mented the parlor, and at once arrested
the gaze. 1t was the portrait of lady
and was painted by one of the most ia
nous and exorbitant artists of France
The original must have been of consplcu
Gus beauty, unless the picture had beer
Unfortunately tiattered. 1t represented &
woman in the tairest bloom of her years
Probably the mother of Jeanne" said
to myself. jacques Fromentin was ap
parently on the lookout for rich relatives
and a handsome mother in-law. 1t ]:
only pity that people make so much
display of their wealth and their beauty
Modesty and simplicity are not seldom
trodden out by the reigning generation
What wonderful glance the picture
bends on me, 1t must have required {
certain courage to marry the original, an6
if Monsieur de Nillers succeeded in bind
ing his wife to him, he must have beer
no ordinary man. She scarcely look
like a Frenchwoman. The auburn hal
the dark eyes, recall the portraits of tn,
s.old Italian masters" started suddenly
and rose up from the seat had takel
opposite the picture. Near me stood .
tall, beautiful woman with auburn hal
and dark eyes, who had evidently entered
the room through one of the tapestriet
| doors. She was no older than the pic
ture before me represented, and the re
semblance to this was perfect. sShe can