The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-12-20

50 exuuisitely with the fabric Of her gown.
The men about the table were dressed
with the magnificence and splendor
characteristic of that age of display; the
scarlet and blue of the navy, the white and
gold of the army, the green of the marine
corps, the royal purple Of the bishops vest
ments, the yellow and silver of the wait
ing attendants, blended and harmonized
in one vivid Kaleidoscope mass Of shifting
hues.. The soft light sparkled on many a
diamond star and was reflected from
many jewelled order on manly breasts;
undimmed by the contrast; in this galaxy
of color she was like the sun amid the
stars. y...- 20
Grafton had eyes for no one but her.
He had known that she was beautiful
even in the simplicity in which she had
always been robed when he had seen
her. He had known that she was tho
fafrest Of women. to him at any rate, but
he never realized until now how mag
nificently royal she was in her rare and
exquisite loneliness. His heart sank as
he looked at her. She was one In a world.
Surely this treasure In which nature
summed up the achievements Of the past
and anticipated the possibilities of the
future could not be for him! But If not
for him, for no one, he swme. Yet he felt
an intense sympathy for poor de Vftre.
sitting haggard at the foot Of the table,
eating nothing, modify draining his
glass and staring at Anne. She was az
far from him heaven.
Next to Anne, with the permission Of
the guests on account of the nature Of
the occasion, the marquis had placed tho
would not have entitled him. to SO high
a seat at the table, Next to de Kersaint
sat the gallant rear admiral, ST. Andre du;
Verger, soon to die and win an immortal
name for his heroism in the approaching
battle. By his side was placed Monsieur
de Bompart, chef-d' Escadre, or commo-
dore commanding a division of six ships
of the line which had recently entered
the harbor, aided by the unfortunate gale
which had compelled Hawke to break the
blockade for the time being-a welcome
re emf rcement indeed for de Contains
AS Grafton's glance finally turned to de
Kersaint, his latest rival, he was forced
to admit that he was no unworthy COM
petitor for Anne's hand. Not without q
certain stateliness and dignity was the
bold figure Of this superb sailor. OF
splendid physical proportions, indicating
great strength with indomitable courage
written on his brow, with rank and sta
ton apparent in his simple yet easy bear
ing, and with a slight bluff bonhomie
added; in spite of his years. he might well
hope to win q womans heart.
81 DE herSa1nJ s 1aHlliy WAS alIlOHS lno
Oldest in Brittany, his means ample, he
might fairly be termed wealthy, in fact;
and he stood so high in the favor of the
king that in all probability, if he lived.
he would finally be made the admiral at
France, an office OF the greatest ICON
sequence. Long since he had become one
of the most distinguished officers in thu
French navy. He was an adversary, in
love or war, the most formidable, and
not to be despised.
He had only aspired OF late to the hand
Of the charming girl who had so confident
ly liked and admired him as her fathers
friend when she had been child; but IL
Grafton could Judge from the way he look
ed at her, he made up for his hardness by
his ardor in the end. He was q widower
OF many years standing, and his son had
already made name for himself in the
service Ife had no other children. The.
marquis had gladly welcomed the alliance
oHerpd him. and the two men had set.