Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1879-09-11

was the one which the Countess Ermina
possessed.
In order to accomplish the object of
his mission the count then had no
other chance but to find the one which
had belonged to the Princess Lamballe.
He commenced by courageously visit
ing all the curiosity merchants, so num-
erous in Paris, showing each his cup,
and inquiring if in his traffic he had
ever seen one like it. Oae of them at
at last said to him:
eyes; dejeuner o;porcelain perfect
ly resembling your cup was bought
thirty years ago, by rich amateur, who
paid thousand pounds for it,"
Think you be would consent to sell
it if would pay him double, triple, all
be could ask for it?" inquired the
count.
Amateurs like the one of whom
speak will not part with such a precious
acquisition at any price; but this one is
dead. The sale of his effects took place
ten years ago, and the object which you
desire was bought, if [ remember right
ly, by an Englishman, who paid six
thousand francs for it."
"And the name of this Englishman,
do you remember it p
az do not"
There are twenty louis for you if you
learn and inform me of i"
The merchant was careful not to say
that the thing was easy, but went to the
auctioneer who had conducted the sale
in question. The next lay he an
t1l,
Lord Herbert Warren.
The count set out Immediately for
London, and repaired to the residence
of Lord Herbert, who lived in one of
the most beautiful mansions of Portland
place.
"My Lord" said the count, Il have
learned that that you possess a curious
collection of ancient porcelain"
"You have been led into an error, Mon
sieur."
cat least you bought, some years ago,
at Paris, a dejeuner of very remarkable
old Sevres"
"Ah, yes; a mere fancy"
"If you still have it in your possession
you would greatly oblige me by dispos-
ing Of it to me-"
81 have it no longer, Monsieur, 1 have
given it away"
would it be discreet to ask you to
whom?"
Perhaps" answered the lord smil-
ing.
II assure you, my lord, it is not a
frivolous curiosity which urges me to
ask you this question. A very serious
motive causes me to attach the greatest
interest to the acquision of this porcelain
and | desire to know the person to whom
you gave the set, it is only with the hope
that he will consent to part with it"
"Oh, well, monsieur, [ will acknowl-
edge 10 you that imade it a present to
an opera dancer of Paris, Mademoiselle
X"
Thanks, my lord; | will return to
Paris"
Permit me to say to you that you
will not find Mademoiselle X. there. ]
see in the journal of to-day that she is
meeting with brilliant success at the
Theatre of Vienna"
"Then it is to Vienna I 81 all go.
Adieu, my lord; if ever your travels
bring you to Venice dispose of me-"
The count left quickly. He had reso-
lutely determined not to be discouraged
IN search for this presciOus cup, even to
make the tour of Europe, if necessary.
Behold him, then, at Vienna, believing
he had at last attained the object of his
search. But he was told: "YOu have
arrived too late; that person has ter
minated her engagement here, and left
for Madrid three days ago."
+ooI1 40 60
Spain without murmurlng. Arriving at
Madrid he presented himself at the resi-
dence of the danseuse, who gave him
the most amiable reception without in
quiring the object of his visit, which she
supposed she OWNED. After q few
brief compliments he took from his
pocket the box which enclosed the cup.
The danseuse regarded it with an ar
dent eye, believing it a casket contain
ing some costly bijou which the count
came to offer her. But surprise and
disappointment succeeded that hope
when she saw little piece of porcelain,
and when he said to her:
"You have dejeuner of old Sevres
like this cup, I believe"
'Nn, monsieur" replied Mademoi-
selle X"
IF you have it not now, you have
had It,"
'That is very possible, but 1 do not
remember it, SO many of these trifies
pass through our hands"
This one was given you by Lord
Herbert Warren"
cab, yes, an Englishman. remem-
Der it now. I was with him one morn
ing; he had bought this porcelain a few
days before, and, although | cared
nothing for it, asked it of him because
it is always necessary to ask for some
thing of the Englishmen-so he gave it
to me-"
What have you done with it?"
81 took care of it two or three
months, then / grew tired of it. Some
one who visited me at that time thought
it pretty, and [ proposed to exchange
it with him for third cashmere. had
two then, but had a passion for CASH
mere at that time-so we made the ex-
change"
"And this some one, may I know his
name?"
Il can not recall it. We see so much
of the world, we danseuses, and it is
now four or five years ago; how could
you expect me to have memory so
retentive ?"
"But in MISUNDERSTANDING"
"Wait, then; yes, [ have this
name was Anatole."
."Anatole who? This is baptismal
name, but it is the family name which