The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-04-21
Copyright, 1895, by STANLEY ]. weyman.

gave an entertainment on The last cay
of this year to the king and queen;
who came to the arsenal with a nu-
merous train, and found the diversions
1 had provided so much to their taste
that they did not leave until was half
DEAD with fatigue, and like to be killed
rlrh connplaisance. Though this was
not the most splendid entertainment 1
gage that year. it had the good fortune
to please; and in a different and less
agreeable fashion is recalled to my
memory by peculiar chain of events.
whereof the first link came under my
eyes during its progress.
Z Portuguese adventrrer. about this
time, had gained large sums from the
court at play. and more than once had
compelled the king to have recourse to
ma. 1 had the worst opinion of this
man, and did not scruple to express it
on several occasions; and this the
more, as his presumption fell little
short Of his kna:Very, while he treated
those when he robbed with as much
arrogance as If to play with him were
an honor. Holding this view Of him,
was far from pleased when 1 discov-
cred that the king hid brought him
to my house; but the feeling, though
sufficiently strong, sank to nothing be
Side the indignation and disgust which
1 experienced when, the company hav-
Ing fallen 10 cards after supper, I
faund that the queen had sat down
with him to primero.
It did not lesser my annoyance that
had, after my usual fashion, fur
had 1pa frT hal
sport. and in this way found myself re-
duced to stand by and see my good
money pass into the clutches of this
knave. Under the circumstances, and
in my own house, I could do nothing;
nevertheless, the able at which they
sat possessed 50 strong a fascination
for me that several times caught my
self staring at it more closely than
was polite; and as to disgust at the ut-
se=mliness OF Such companionship was
added veXation at my own loss, 1
might have some farther towards be-
traying my own feelings if a casual
glance aside had not bestowed to me
til" fact that I did not stand alone in
- dissatisfaction; but that, frivolous
as lie majority OF the courtierS were,
ehere was one at least among those
present W he viewed this particular
game with diStaSte.
This person stood near the door, and
Sancying hApself secure from Observa-
tion, either by his position ar his insig-
nificance, was gloWering on the pair in
e manner that at another time must
hava cost him a rebuke. AS it was,
found something friendly as well as
curious, in his fixed frOWn; and, ignOr-
ant of his name, though I knew him by
sight, wondered both who he was and
what was the cause of his preoccupa-
ton.
On the one point I had no difficulty
en satisfying myself. Boisrueil who
presently passed, told Il that his
name was VaIlon; that he belonged to
a poor but old family in the Cotentin,
and that he had been only three
months at the court.
Making his fortune, I suppose?" I
said, grimly. he games?"
ITO, your excelIency."
us in debt?"
Not to my knowledge"
ITO whom does he pay MS court.
then?" -l.l-.s
''And the queen?"
Not particularly-as far as I know.
at least. But if you wish TO know
more, NJ. lie Due Boisruen continued,
mo, no." I said peevishly. The
Queen had just handed her last rou-
1eau across the table. and was still
playing. GO, man, about your bust
;
ang gossiping with you"
He went, and 1 dismissed the young
fellow from my minds only to find him
five minutes later at my elbow To
youth and good look s he added
modest bearing that did not fail 20
enhance them and commend him TO
me; the majority of the young
sparks of the day being wiser than
their fathers. But I confess that I
was not prepared for the stammering
embarrassment with which ne ad-
dressed me-nor. indeed, to be ad-
dressed by him at all.
M. de Silly ne said, In a tone
of emotion. II beg you to pardon me.
am in great trouble. and I think
that perhaps, stranger as I am. you
may condescend to do me a service"
So many men appeal TO a minister
with some formula on their lips, and
at times with a, calculated tiIn;dity
that at the first blush Of his request
] was inclined to bid him come 10 me
at the proper time and to remove to
another part of the room. But curl
osity, playing the part of his advo-
cate found SO much that was candid
In his manner that 1 hesitated. What
IS it?" I said stif1y.
"a very slight, if a very unusual
one" he muttered. IN. L. Due, only
want you to
TOP" fer he stopped and seemed
unable to go on
ITO supplement the present you
have given 10 the Queen with this
he blurted out, his face pale with
emotion; and he steadily held out to
me green silk purse, through the
.neshes of which I saw the CLINT of
gold. IN. de Sully,'' he continued, OBJ
Serving my hasty movement, do not
be offended. 1 know that you have
done all that hospitality required. But
see that the queen has already lost
your gift, and that
''She is playing on credit?"
Eyes, Monsieur"
He said it simply, and as he spoke,
he again pressed on me the purse. I
took and weighed it, and calculated
at a guess that it held so crowns. The
sum astonished me. why man."
said, ''you are not mad enough to be
in love with her maiestyr-
Nor he cried vehemently, yet with
CLEAN of hunor in his eyes. Il
swear that it is not 50. If you will
do me this favor
It was a mad Impulse that took me,
but I nodded. and resolving ITO make
good the money out Of my own pocket
should the case, when all was clear,
seem to demand it, I went straight
from him, and, crossing the floor, laid
4he purse neilr her majesty's hand,
with a polite word of regret that for
time rad used her so i'll, and a hone