Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-08-24

contre Of the morning; but as the courier,
whom I questioned, confirmed the report
Of my agents. and asseverated most con-
fidently that he had left madame in Brus-
sells, was flung back on the alternative of
an accidental resemblance. This, however,
which stood for time as the most prob
able solution. scarcely accounted for the
wcmans peculiar conduct and quite fell
to the ground when La aTrape, making
cautious inquiries, ascertained that no lady
hunting that day had worn yellow
feather. Again. therefore, I found myself
ct loss; and the detection Of the king and
the queens ill-temper giving rise to the
widest surmises. ana threatening each
hour to supply the -gossips Of the court
with startling scandal. the issue of which
TO enc could foresee, I went so far as to
take into my confidence NM. Epernon and
Mcntbazon. but with no result
Such being my state of mind, and such
the suspense suffered during two days, it
may be imagined that NJ Bassompierre
was rot more happy. Despairing of the
kings favor. unless he could clear up the
matter, and by the event Justify his indis-
wonder, and almost the terror. of the
court. Ignorant of what he wanted, the
courtiers found only insolence in his mys-
FERROUS questions, and something pro-
digious in an activity which carried him in
one day to Paris and back, and on the fol-
lowing to every place In the vicinity where
news of the fleeing beauty might by any
possibility be gained; SO that he far out
guest. But, though I had no mean opinion
of his abilities, l hoped little from these
exertions, and was proportionately pleased
when, on the third day, he came to me
with a radiant face and invited me to at
tend the queen that evening.
The king will be there" he said, land I
shall surprise you. But will not tell you
more. Come! and promise to satisfy YOU"
And that was all he would say: so that,
finding my questions useless and the man
almost frantic with joy, had to be con-
tent with 1t; and at the queens hour that
evening presented myself in her gallery,
which proved to be unusually full.
Making my way toward her, in some
doubt OF my reception, I found my worst
fears confirmed. She greeted me with a
sEeering face and was preparing, I am
sure. to put some slight upon me-a matter
wherein she could always count on the ap-
plause of her italian servants-wlaen the
entrance Of the king took her by surprise.
He advanced up the gallery with listless
air, and after saluting her stood by one of
the freplaces talking to Epernon and La
Force. The crowd was pretty dense by this
time. and the hum Of talk filled the room.
when. on sudden. voice which recog
nized as Bassompierres was lifted above It.
Very well"' he cried, gaily. then l
appeal to her majesty. She shall decide,
mademoiselle! No. no; / am not satisfied
with your claim?'
The king looked that way with frown.
but the queen took the outburst in good
part. What is it. NJ. de Bassompierre?"
w L
To-day in the forest I found ring.
madame" he answered, coming forward.
II told Mademoiselle de La Force of my dis
coyery. and she now claims the ring"
II once had a ring like It," cried made
moiselle, blushing and laughing.
IA sapphire ring?" Bassompierre an
swered, holding his hand aloft.
with three stones?"
Precisely, mademoiseller' he answered,
bowling. But the stones in this ring are
not sapphires, nor are there three of
them"
There was a great laugh at this, and the
queen said, very wittily, that as neither of
the claimants could prove a right to the
ring 1t must revert to the judge.
"In one moment your majesty shall at
any one lost ring? Oyer! Oyer! Oyer!
Lost in the forest, within the last three
Two or three, falling in with his humor,
set up absurd claimsfto it;tbut none could
describe the ring, and In the lend he handed
it to the queen. AS He did 80 his eyes met
mine and challenged my attention. 1 was
prepared, therefore, for thetcry of surprise
which broke from the Queen.
why, this Is Caterihais!" she cried.
Where is the child pm III
Some one pushed forward Mademoiselle
Paleotti, sister-in-lawhto Madame PaleottL
the queens first chandler woman. She was
barely out of her teents5 extraordinarily. was
a pretty girl; but the moment l saw her
dead-white face, framed in a circle of fiut-
tering fans and pitiless. sparkling eyes, I
dscerned tragedy inhthe farce; and that
NJ. de Bassompierre was acting IN drama
to which only he and one hother held the
key. The contrast tobetweeh the girls
blanched face and the beauty and glitter
in the midst of which she stood struck
others, SO that, before another wond was
said. 1 caught the gasp of surprise that
passed through the room; nor was I the
only one who drew nearer.
"Why, girl" the queen said, "this is the
ring 1 gave you my birthday! When
did you lose it? And why have you made
secret of it?'
Mademoisele stood speeches.. but mad
anne, her sister-in-law, answered for her.
Doubtless she was afraid that your mai
esty would think her careless" she an
swered.
81 did not ask your the queen rejoined.
She spoke harshly and suspiciously, look
ing from the ring to the trembling girl.
The silence was such that the chatter of
the pages in the ante room could be heard.
Still mademoiselle stood dumb and con-
founded.
.sWeu what ia the unvstery7" the nueen