The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1902-12-05

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order Of precedence, and, as It chanc-
ed, / came to be the last of ALL where
fore Luke Monroe clapped me on tho
shoulder and congratulated me that I
was not likely to have an indigestion
from too speedy feeding. If / ran tho
risk of getting no supper at all
l would have bartered many sup
pers to catch but one sight of Flea
nora, where fore 1t chafed me that my
lot should have been cast last. Nor
could | ask any to change with me,
seeing that all were SO hungry, and
had not known what II was to have as
full a meal as this was like to be for
many year, if, indeed, they had It
ever; for 1t is not every day that a
plain gentleman is cooked for by M.
Paul, the Kings chef de cuisine.
The first cock had crowed before
the ticket was thrust in my hand and
the Yellow Domino over my head
and shoulders. But the ball was sill
at its height. The court was dancing
minuet. AS l pushed my way
through the masks, some one plucked
at my domino l looked down, to see
a sharpfaced man wearing a cooks
cap end white apron.
Come with me-" he said, 81 have
something worthy of so distinguished
a gourment. You have done me honor
tonight Monsieur"
knew not if it were a Jest or not.
but I allowed him to draw me into
the supper room. The place was no
such ruin as l had expected. Many
servants carried away empty dishes
and replaced them by full.
Fall to, most excellent gentleman;
fall to-" said the little ran, rubbing
his hands and gazing at me with mis-
head to one side, and his sharp black
eyes gloating upon me.
How long does the court stay?" I
asked.
"Why, it will dance in the dawn"
he responded; perhaps two hours
hence the coaches will be called for"
fell to then, realizing that l was
hungry man, and faith, l cleaned
the platters with vengeance, but as
fast as l ate, other delicacies we're
laid before me as though by magic
And ! drank great draughts which
seemed to take the colo from my
heart that had lain there so long
indeed. since Eleanora had left it
empty.
had the last goblet to my lips,
when felt hand on my shoulder,
and, turning around, became aware
that the room was filled with ladies
and gentlemen, all very splendidly
clad end sparkling with jewels. There
was Lot mask to be seen, unless,
indeed, it was the little cook, who had
fallen into the background, and stood
there rubbing his hands in an attitude
of great humility.
who are you, Master Fellow Domi-
no" asked he whose hand was on
my shoulder, that wear the mask
when the signal has been given to
unmask, and who do such great JUS
tice to our good things?"
knew the face we'll between its
falling masses Of curls, even if l mad
not recognized lie Grand Monarque"
by the stars and orders with which
he glittered magnifcently.
l gave the soldier 3 salute. did
not dare uncover, for there, by the
Queen, stood Eleanora, all in white
and gold tissue, more beautiful, if
more sad, than I remembered her.
The King gave me another slap on
the shoulder.
why, you are the most prodigious
fellow" he said, "a grosser feeder
even than M. Porthos. Tell us again,
good Paul what he has eaten"
The little cook whom | row per-
ceived to be no other than the Kings
cook, then came forward and testified
that since 10 o'clock I had not been
above five minutes absent from the
tables.
He produced his tablets, and viii
say that even for 30 gentlemen Of the
Irish regiment the consumption of food
and drink was indeed prodigious. AS
he went on the King roared with
laughter. The Queen and her ladies
hid their merriment behind their fans,
all except Eleanor, who watched me
with a strange intentness, as though
she had somehow fathomed my dis
guise.
The supper room was now full to
! the door, every one tiptoeing and
stretching to catch a sight of the
+ Yellow Domino.
3 Come sir, said the King. I'VE must
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