Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-10-20
rapialy becoming excited and gesticula-

rapidly becoming excited and gesucula-
tory.
General Latour saw there would be no
end to the uproar, which would uhdoupt-
eddy conclude in tragedy II something
were not speedily done. He had on many
occasions come himself under the naughty
| remarks of Marie Antoinette and though
he was staunch and true to her as SoVer-
eign. many time had he chafed at MS
inability TO rebulSe her pride as woman.
He knew as well as any man in France
that much of the popular discomfort was
the direct outcome of the disdain with
which the Queen treated everyone with
whom she came in contact. He was deep
" grieved at the turmoil that threatened
to Law his beloved France in ruins.
The desire of the women now appealed
to him with double force. That the rab-
BILE of Paris, the poorest the most degrad-
ed the starvelings from all the alleys ana
dark places, should stand about the queen
in the very room with her. would do more
than anything to humble her proud and
resentful spirit; further, it would satisfy
the vanity of these half-clad. hl-fed crea-
lures. and they would return to their gar
rets and their hunger with the sting OF
vindictive hate taken from them.
And behind all this--it went through his
J brain with the speed of lightning-there
was the thought of that syiph of girl
And she is one of them! God forgive
me-" he muttered to himself.
Very faintheartedly he protested against
the thrush of the women. They, seeing
Il hai
ward step by STEP until they were upon
the soldiers at the very entrance, in the
very corridor and then, with scream
of triumph, they poured, dirty torrent,
,.iung the corridor, jostling the courtiers,
WHO. now seized with alarm, were making
Intellectual efforts to escape. Growing
bold, they plucked at the gaudy ribbons
and pulled at the jewels. Half dead with
fayetteville their lords were hushed into
crav N ceI.-ihe lad es CT lhs Co IN
mltted themselves to be twirled by rude
hands, their dainty silks fingered, fand
even to tolerate lewd jestinG.
1t was the oldest of scenes, one in
which there was much comedy had it not
been so smothered in imminent tragedy.
Never, surely. on this earth, had there
been so extraordinary spectacle as three
thousand bedraggled women, hungry,
lean, unwashed, with torn skirts still
hanging wet and muddy about them,
playing high frolic among the gentle-born,
exquisitely-clad, powdered danes of
Court, in the very palace of royalty itself!
While dismay prevailed among the aris-
tocrats. vulgar good humour prevailed
! among their unwelcome visitors. Not that
rad
kindly-hearted people among these mar
ket women. But they were in the minor
ity, and it is always the most brazen who
make the most noise. And small wonder.
To them had never come the opportunity
of receiving grace and refinement. Their
lives had lain in unpleasant places where
brute force always secured the victory.
A less timid chamber-woman than the
first had braved the royal presence with
the news that the palace was flooded with
| revealing women from the great city.
And their business?" asked her mis-
tress, imperiously. with a slight raising of
the eyelids.
"They claim the right as your subjects
to he receive Ly your Majesty"
A message was brought that General
Latour craved the Indulgence Of an inter-
view with the Queen.
Let him enter" was the answer.
General Latour made his obeisance.
"These are troublous times, your Majes-
ty" he began, without preface. France,
as you well know, is a cauldorn of discon-
tent. The women of Paris, whom we
thought we were well rid Of have grown
importunate. They will take no refusal.
They ask that your Majesty shall receive
them"
| The soldier. knowing the high spirit of
the Queen. had half expected refusal.
But no. Marie Antoinette smiled family.