The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1897-06-12

u Gals to witness the
per Torrance of
Jules Sandeau's delightful play, Mad
smoiselle de la Seigliere."
The empress was present, graceful,
and beautiful, and the emperor at her
side, wrapped in his favorite air OF
gloomy abstraction, which, like Lord
Burleigh's celebrated nod, was sup
posed to mean so mcch, yet which,
viewed by the impartial light Of subse-
luent yeracious history, seems to have
signified so little. Several officers In
glittering uniforms, were In attend
ance, sparkling with decorations show
cred upon them by a grateful sovereign,
and among these gallant warriors, con-
spicuous by reason Of his attire, was
solitary, humble, black coated civilian,
in ordinary evening dress, with the in
evitable speck Of red at his buttonhole.
In a box almost Immediately oppo-
site that occupied by their imperial
majesties was young and exceedingly
handsome Russian lady, Countess Ivan
on, concerning whose destinations the
great world of Paris elected to interest
itself considerably at this period.
The beauty and the wit Of this fair
northern enchantress were the theme
Of every masculine tongue and her
magnificent diamonds the envy and ad-
miration Of all feminine beholders. The
countess was accompanied by her hus-
band. a man Of distinguished appear
ance.
The curtain fell after the first act.
The emperor and empress withdrew
during the entr'acte. Many humber
mortals followed their example, among
then Count Ivanoff. apparently in no
wise disturbed by the fact that the gold
en- youth in the stalls were bringing
q small battery of opera glasses TO
bear upon the dazzling charms Of his
beautiful wife.
The countess leaned back in her lux
1rious fauteuil, tanning herself, serene
ly indifferent to the interest she was
exciting. In the dim light Of her cur
tain shaded box the glitter of her splen-
did diamonds seemed to form a sort of
luminous halo round her graceful head,
a myriad Of starry brilliants cleaned
among the masses of her gold brown
hair, and two priceless stones flashed
and twinkIed like twin planets In her
little shell-tinted ears.
The count had been gone but few
minutes, when there was a gentle
knock at the door, and in answer to the
countess "Entrez," the ouvreuse ap-
peared and said, deferentially:
Pardon, Nine. la Comtesse, q gen.
tleman charged with a message from
her majesty the empress waits in the
corridor and desires to know IL madam
will have the goodness to receive him"
Certainly! Enter. beg Of you, mon
sieur," replied the countess as she rec
ognized the distinguished looking civ
ilian she had already noticed in close
proximity to the emperor in the i'm
perial box.
The visitor advanced few steps. and,
still standing in deep shadow, said,
with grave dignity:
Il trust my intrusion may be par
doned am desired by her majesty to
ask a favor of Nine. la Comtesse. and,
at the same time, to beg that she will
unusual request"
The obligation will be mine II can
fulfill even the least Of her majesty's
wishes" answered the countess.
THE case is this" explained the
gentleman. IAN argument has arisen
concerning the size of Tie diamonds in
your earrings and those Of the Countess
WoronZoff. The empress begs that you
will intrust one Of your pendants to her
care for few moments, as the only sat
isfactory method of disposing of the
vexed question. will myself return
1t the instant her majesty gives It back
into my keeping"
the countess, detaehing the precious
jewel forthwith and depositing 1t, with
out misgiving, in the outstretched palm
of the imperial messenger. The countess
bestowed q smile and gracious bow Of
dismissal upon her majesty's distin-
guished ambassador, who responded by
have the goodness to excuse q somewhat
a profoundly respectful inclination as
he made his exit.
Shortly afterward Count Ivanoff re-
turned. 81 have been talking to Du-
mont" he remarked, as he seated him
self. "Clever fellow. Dumont. l am
rot surprised at the emperor's Partially
fc- him. He must find him useful vS>n
he is in want Of an idea"
''who Is Dumont?" inquired the coun-
tess. with languid interest.
That Il rather difficult question"
replied the count, smiling. There are
several editions of his BIOGRAPHICAL
different, probably none Of them true.
Look, he has just entered the emperor's
h3x-the man in the black coat"
lis that NJ. Dumont?" exclaimed the
countess. "If 30, he has been here while
you were away. He came on the part Of
the empress and carried on one Of my
earrings, which her majesty wished to
compare with one Of the Countess Wo-
ronzofrs"