The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-09-27

Because he Is going to make an ass
OF himself before the court. and what's
worse, he'll make a laughing stock of
me-"
How can he do that?'
''He is determined to thank the en-
peror for restoring his estates. He might
thank the empress. and she wouldn't know
what he was talking about. But the en-
peror knows everything. ] have used all
the arguments I dared to use against it.
but he is 4 pig for stubbornness. For my
sake, for Madame de Terriers sake, La
zarre, help me to get him harmlessly out
OF the Tuileries, without making a pub
lie scandal about the restitution Of the
land!''
'"what scandal can there be- monsieur?
And why shouldn't he thank Napoleon for
giving him back his estates after the for
tunes Of revolution and war;"
Because the emperor didn't do it. I
bought them!'
you'll
Yes, bought them! Come to that,
they are my property
Madame de Ferrier doesn't know
this?"
Certainly not. meant to settle them
on her. Saints and angels, boy, anybody
could see what my Intentions were!''
Then she is as poor as she was in
America
Poorer. She has the Marquis de Fer
rier.''
We two who loved her, youth and man,
rich and powerful. or poor and fugitive,
felt the passionate need Of protecting her.
She wouldn't accept them If she knew
it,
Neither would the marquis" said De
Chaumont. 1.-The Marquis de Terrier
might live on the estates his lifetime
without any interference. But II he will
see the emperor, and can't prevent 1t
any other way. shall have to tell him!''
Yes, you will have to tell hin!'
thought Of Eagle in the village, and
the old woman who blessed her a quarter
OF an hour, and Paul standing on the seat
to be worshiped. How could 20 to
America and leave her? And what could
I do for her when q rich man like De
Chaumont was powerless?
Cant you see Napoleon" I suggested
and ask him to give the marquis a mo-
nnent's private audience. and accept his
thanks?"
NO." groaned De Chaumont. "He
wouldn't do It. couldn't put myself in
such q position!'
If Napoleon came in 40 f,urriedly he
may not show himself in the state apart
ments tonight" =
But he is accessible, wherever he is.
He doesn't deny himself to the meanest
soldier. Why should he refuse to see a.
noble OF the class he Is always conciliat-
Ing when he CAM"
Introduce me to the Marquis de Fer
rier." finally said. land let me see IL I
can talk against time while you get your
emperor out Of his way"
thought desperately Of revealing to the
old royalist what believed myself to be,
what Eagle and he believed me to be- and
commanding him, as his rtghtfuI prince, to
content himself with less ELUSIVE and less
public gratitude to an usurper. He would
live In the country, shrinking so naturally
from the court that a self imposed appear
ance there need never be repeated.
I believe this would have succeeded. A
half hour more Of time might have saved
years Of comfort to Eagle-for De Chau-
mont was generous-and have changed
the outcome of my own life. But In scant
fifteen minutes our fate was decided.
De Chaumont and I had moved with our
heads together, from corridor to ante
chamber, from ante-chamber to curtained
salon Of the lower floor. The private
apartments Of the Bonaparte family were
thrown open. and in the mahogany fur
nished room, all hung with yellow satin, I
noticed q Swiss clock which pointed its
minute finger to quarter before eleven.
I made no hurry. MY erTand was not
accomplished. Skenedonk would wait
came suspicious.
Ferrier considered me, perhaps knew my
plan. He turned back at once asserting.
The Marquis and Marquise de Terrier
were that instant going up the grand
staircase. and would be announced. Eagle
turned her face above mo, the long line
Of her throat uplifted, and went coura-
geous and smiling on her way. The mar
quits had adapted himself to the court re-
quirements OF the empire. Noble gentle
man OF another period, he stalked pit
eous masquerade where he had once been
at home.
Count de Chaumont grasped my arm
and we hurried up the stairs after them
The end OF great and deep room was
visible, and had a glimpse between
heads and shoulders Of woman standing
in the light of many lusters. She parted
her lips to smile. closing them quickly
but having shown little dark teeth. She
was OF exquisite shape, her face and arms
and bosom having a clean fair polish like
the delicate Wilderness OF q magnolia, as
have since seen that flower in bloom. She
wore a small diadem in her hair, and her
short WASTED robe itrailed far back among
her ladies'. I knew without being told
that this was the empress Of the French.
De Chaumonts hand was on my arm,
but another hand touched my shoulder. !
looked behind me. This time it was not
an old woman, or laoorer IN
blouse, OF q SOlulSES UuI ! hAAC" NY PoA :
suer in his white court dress. Officer OF
the law, writ in the lines. Of his face. to
my eyes appeared all over him.
Monsieur Veeleeum!
AS soon as he said thatI understood 1t
was the refugee from Ste. Pelagie that he
wanted.
Certainly" answered. Don't make
disturbance"
"You will take my arm and come with
me, Monsieur Veeleeum.
II will do nothing Of the kind until my
errand is finished" answered, des-
| perately.
De Chaumont looked sharply at the
man, but his own salvation required him
| to lay hold on the marquis. AS he did
so, Eagles face and my face encountered
| in panel Of mirror, two flashes OF pal
| lor; and took my last look.
you will come with me now said the
| gendarme at my ear.
She saw him and understood his errand.
There was no chance. De Chaumont
wheeled ready to Introduce me to the
marquis. was not permitted to speak
to him. But Eagle took my right arm
and moved down the corridor with me-
! Decently and at once the disguised gem
darme fell behind where he could watch
every muscle without alarming Madame
de F'errier. She appeared not to $50 him.
| I have no doubt he praised himself Tor
his delicacy and her unconctousnsss Of my
arrest.
..You must not think you can run away
from me- she said.
II was coming back" ! answered. max
"a ex,, os,tor,a roraon heavAd haNfnd ma.