The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-03-26
The Queen Of the Carnival.

The delegation from the Royal
Host" entered the long drawing room
where Francesca and her mother sat.
both in a fever of anticipation. There
had been strange rumors ahoat for
several days--wafts of suggestion as
to the possl bility of this belle and that
assuming the ermine OF his majesty,
Rex, during his brief period of reign In
the Carnival city,. and Francesca, who
was thoroughly aware that she was
beautiful, admirable. popular and "fea-
tured" at every great event during thef
passing season. began to .apprehend a
horrible omission on the part OF the
powers behind the mimic throne.
Mrs. Fairton was so assured in her
own consciousness that the honors or
the season. should fall TO her eldest
daughter that she had discountenanced
all hints regarding the disposition Or
the queenship, and had sent to -hica-
go for samples of cloth of gold and
embroidered brocades suitable for the
coronation robes. But there had been
a broad innuendo given lately by The
odore Abbotson that the most popular
Of the creole bellies was TO wear his
Majesty's seal az consorL-Carmelite
Landry. the bewitching beauty OF the
French quarter.
so when Mrs. and Miss Fairton re-
ceived the announcement that they
might be prepared TO receive the-e ennis
saries OF Rex an internal commotion
ensued in the Fairton home. Frances
ca had not been out long enough 10
have all her emotions under control.
and the proud mother was too happy
in the assurance of royal favor TO be
quite sure of her feelings.
Sure enough. the imperial decree was
set forth as a proffer and one of the
ar,aff a ere~igt IA henl nlrar
save when 'at court" made a great
salaam and swore lealty scraightway.
Francesca, with a tremor in her throat,
asked the name of her future lord, and
was disappointed to learn that Carl
Winston, to whom she was almost, IL
not quite engaged, was not included,
even in the bodyguard or might SER
vice OF his Majecty.
Just a married mani" she sighed 10
her mother after the Royal Host had
withdrawn and IL would have been so
jolly and romantic 10 have had king
with whom / m ght have had the SEM
blance of a Irritation, If not an out
and-out affair" Still. With Carl as an
admirer In the distance, the slight mat
ter OF king could scarcely enAsr into
the pleasurableness of the honor.
Never was there more courtly
monarch than King DarIll the First
admit the fact. comparing the cour-
tiers and the very flower of knight
hood about him 10 their detriment:
even Carl. she was constrained to adj
NIT. was less admirable on ShrovA
Tuesday ball but the grandeur and en-
chantment OF the kings dress must
have been responsible for that revela-
ton.
1t was all dream to Francesca. who
was dramatic by nature, and would
have reused herself to a comprehen-
sion of present honOrs, If IL had not all
seemed 80 unreal 10 her. The multi
tudes sweeping before her, the deferr-
ing ladies in waptlng and chivalrous
knights. the dignified monarch at her
side, the effort she made almost auto
matically to acknowledge the courte-
sizes of those presented-all made her
head swim and her heart numb.
If only'it could last" she sighed IN
wardly. and the bitterness OF leeting
joys became a part OF her education
hitherto unlearned on her breast
throbbed the GOrgon eyes OF a million
jewels, cruscating lights and weighing
her TO WEAKNESS. The diadem on her
head pressed painfully. and the robe OF
royal velvet bound with crmine dragged
on her back. The uneasiness II kings
was becoming realization, but with
the fortftude OF n worldly young wo-
man she bore her head as anv born
queen would, and smiled down into the
faces OF her loyal subjects.
Isn't IL becoming little OF a bore?"
asked his majesty. noting the shadow
on Francesca's beautiful brow. 'No.
never that" she answered: mot so
long as. / am aware that Carmellte
Landry and TheO AbbotsOn and the
other girls are envious OF the honors
you have conferred upon me. L am
having a beautiful time-my lord.
Several times during tlws evening
Francesca had spoken 10 her king as
Mr.. Turner. which had seemed all out
of consonancc with his regala, SO.
with her instincts fully awakened 20
the properties and In appreciation Of
their transient relation. she was re-
solved to carry out the masquerade TO
the full.
n ng Darrall paid homage TO her
beauty. he remembered afterward.
wonderingly, and seemed TO observe
her when she bowed blushing 90 Carl
as he passed through the Throne
Room she thought no more about
him. however. save as a means TO her
greatness and during the grand entry
at the Comus ball at the old French
opera house-the temporary palace OF
kings and princess she thought only Of