The Iola register., 1902-05-09

conversation, and friends ana enemies
were alike glad TO seize this opportuni-
ty of approaching the banker, some to
assure him Of their sympathy, and 9th
ers to offer equivocal coincidence, which
of all things is the most eXasperating.
Belonging to the body of elderly men,
NJ. Fauvel had not assumed n fancy
costume, but merely threw over his
shoulders a short silk domino. On his
arm leaned Nine. Fauvel, nee Valen-
tine de Ia Nerberie, who graciously
greeted her friends. Her beauty had
once been remarkable, and tonight the
effect of the soft wax lights and her
very becoming dress half restored the
freshness of youth. No one would have
supposed her to be fortyeight years
old.
But Madeleine was the object of uni.
versal admiration, beautiful and queen
ly in her costume of maid of honor,
which seemed to have been especially
invented to set forth her superb figure.
Forgotten by the crowd, the clown
had taken refuge in the embrasure of
a window, where he kept his eyes upon
a couple not far off. 1t was Madeleine,
dancing with a splendldly dressed doge
the Marquis de Clameran. He APP
peared to be radiant, rejuvenated and
to all appearances triumphant. At the
end of a quadrille he leaned over his
partner and whispered compliments
with the most unbounded admiration.
She seemed to listen, If not with pleas
ure, at least without repugnance, now
smiling and now struggling her shoul-
ders.
Evidently" muttered the clown,
"this noble scoundrel is paying court to
the bankers niece. So was right yes
terday. But how can Mile. Madeleine
listen so graciously to his fiattery?
Fortunately Prosper is not here"
He was interrupted by distinguish
ed looking elderly man in a Venetian
mantle, who said to him:
"You know, M. Verduret"-half seri-
ously, half banteringly-"what you
promised mel"
The clown bowed respectfully, but
with not the slightest shade of humil-
ity.
81 remember" he replied.
"But do not be imprudent, 1 beg of
you"
Monsieur the count need not be I'M
easy he has my promise"
VERY good. know what that
means"
The count walked Off, but during his
short colloquy the quadrille had end
ed, and the clown lost sight of NJ. de
Clameran and Madeleine.
81 shall find them near Nine. Fau-
vel" thought he.
And he at once started to search
among the throng for the banker S
wife.
Incommoded by the sitting heat,
Nine. Fauvel had sought little fresh
air in the grand picture gallery, which,
thanks to the talisman called gold, had
been transformed into a fairylike gar
den, filed with orange trees, japonicas,
laurel and many rare plants The
clown saw her seated near a grove not
far from the cardroom. Upon her
right was Madeleine. On her left
stood Raoul de Lagors, dressed in n
costume of Henry III.
81 must confess" muttered the clown
from his post of observation, that the
young scamp is very handsome"
Madeleine was very sad. She had
plucked camellia from plant near
by and was mechanically pulling it to
pieces as she sat with her eyes down.
cast. Raoul and Nine. Fauvel were
sitting together in conversation. Their
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.
at is the continuation of yesterday s
scene" thought the clown. "If l could
only get behind those camellias, l
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 a bejeweled Persian. At the same
moment Raoul went into the cardroom
and whispered 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 pow.
err"
His attention was attracted by a
commotion in the picture gallery. There
was to he wonderful minuet danced
in the ballroom. The Countess dc
Commarin and the Princess Korasoff
with her superb eme"alds, which were
reported to be the finest in the world
had both arrived. In an instant the
gallery became almost deserted. Only
u few forlorn looking people remained
The clown thought it favorable op
portunity for carrying out his project
He abruptly left his position, flourish
ing his switch and beating his banner
]