The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1902-07-24

faces were composed, but the gestures
Of one and the trembling of the other
betrayed preoccupation and serious
discussion. In the cardroom sat the
doge, NJ. de Clameran, so placed as to
have full view Of Nine. Fauvel and
Madeleine, although himself concealed.
\ 1T is the continuation of yesterdays
scene," thought the clown. IF could
only get behind those camellias. I
might hear what they are saying
He pushed his way through the
crowd, but as he reached the desired
spot Madeleine arose and took the arm
of bejeweled Persian. At the same
moment Raoul went into the cardroom
and whispered a few words to De Cla-
meran.
"There they are" muttered the
clown. ''The two rascals certainly
hold these poor women in their tolls
What can be the secret of their DOW
er?''
His attention was attracted by a
commotion in the picture gallery. There
was to be, wonderful minuet danced
in the ballroom. The Countess de
Commarin and the Princess Korasoff,
with her superb emeralds, which were
reported to be the finest in the world,
had both arrived. In an instant the
gallery became almost deserted. Only
a few forlorn looking people remained.
The clown thought it a favorable op-
portunity for carrying out his project.
He abruptly left his, position, flourish
ing his switch and beating his banner,
and, crossing the gallery, seated him
self in a chair between Mme Fauyel
and the door. AS soon as the people
had collected in circle around him
he struck "a comical attitude, standing
up with his body twisted sideways
and his hat on one ear. With much
buffoonery and volubility he made the
following remarks:
Ladies and gentlemen, this very
morning obtained license from the
authorities of this town. And what
for? Why, gentlemen, for the purpose
of exhibiting to you spectacle which
has already won the admiration of the
four quarters of the globe. Inside of
this booth, ladies, is about to COM
pmence the representation of most re-
markable drama, acted for the first
time in Picking and translated by our
most celebrated authors. Gentlemen,
you can take your seats. The lamps
are lighted, and the actors are chang
ing their dress.''
Here he stopped speaking and imi-
tated to perfection the feats which
mountebanks play upon horns and ket-
tledrums.
"Now, ladies and gentlemen" he re-
sumed, "you wish to know what am
doing outside if the piece is to be per-
formed under the tent. The fact is,
gentlemen, that I wish to give you a
foretaste of the entertainment which
you may enjoy by paying the small
sum Of 10 cents. You see this superb
picture? Very we'll. It represents
eight Of the most thrilling scenes in
the DRAMA All, I see you begin to
shudder. And yet this splendid pic
ture gives you no more idea of the
acting than a drop of water gives an
idea Of the sea or ray of light of the
SUM-"
do you know this clown?" asked an
enormous Turk of melancholy Punch
"No, but he can initiate a trumpet
splendidly:''
"Oh, very well indeed! But what is
he driving at?''
The clown was endeavoring to at
tract the attention of Nine. Fauvel.
who since Raoul and Madeleine had
left her had abandoned herself to a
mournful reverie. He succeeded. The
showman's shrill voice brought the
bankers wife back to a sense Of real
ity. She started and looked quickly
about her, as if suddenly awakened
from a troubled dream. Then she no.
ticed the clown.
Nov, ladies, we are in China. The
first picture on my canvas, here to the
left''-he pointed to the top dAlb-"rep-
resents the celebrated Mandarin Ii Fo
in the bosom of his family. This pref
ty woman leaning over him is his wife,
and these children playing on the car
pet are the fruits of a happy marriage.
Do you not inhale the odor of happi-
ness emanating from this speaking
picture, gentlemen? Nine. Ii Fo is the
most virtuous Of women, adoring her
husband and idolizing her children.
Being virtuous, she is happy, for the
wise Confucius says. Virtue is better
than vice."
Nine. Fauvel became interested. She
left her seat and approached nearer to
the clown. /,
do you see anything on the banner
like what he is describing?" asked the
melancholy Punch of his neighbor.
'"No. Do you?'
+ The fact is that the daubs of paint
On the canvas represented one thing as
well as another, and the clown could
call them whatever he pleased.
"Picture No: 2!'' he cried after a roll
ing Of drums. ''This old lady seated
before mirror tearing out her hair,
especially the gray ones-do you rec
Dgnize her? No, you do not. She is
the fair manda rino of tho fret n;o+,,,o