The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-12-13

A stir Of more than usual curios-
ity greeted her entrance. There were
whispers and knowing smiles and little
astonished shrugs as she passed beside
DE Marche down the Gallery of Mir
rors.
The King with an odd, amused sur
prise upon him, was pleased to be gra
cous, and presently, when the dance
opened. he led her out.
All was new to Jacquelne: the gay
music; the brilliant scene: the Kings
smile. like flower from it's sheath she
blooned out of her convent-bred silence
and timidity. Youths elasticity thrilled
her veins, the rhythmic motion was a
delights; in many eyes she read that
she was charming, charming. and the
news was sweet. Yet for all their joy
Gus brightness a very pretty difiidence
fingered in her eyes and she spoke with
bjithesome naivete. His Majesty was
ertranced.
And further entertainment was pre-
pairing for him. In pause of the
dance whispers drifted outside discreet
bounds to his ears, thus
oh. plain as Il slap in the face.
Madame In Duchesse, is bone of con-
tention, is she not?'
so laughing. you call his Majesty
a dog?'
But a king, though he be a dog, may
not cross swords with Il count: he
sends lettrc dc cachet. or banishment.' y
And which this time?'
Punishment, with sarcastic alterna-
tive that he bring a wife to court
"Nh. ah And-=presto-he brings
her"
And dances vis-a-vis with Madame
Ia Duchessc.'
"a spirited little play. on my soul!
';iit. bark you. the end is not yet Have
sou looked at the little wife,"
"A tempting bit of a witch. Ma fol-
| Drlieve you are right. She has the
two dogs III leash
The little Countess stared up at her
pnr.llcr.
"ls it tue" she questioned. like a
child in fright.
u am most anxious To know, mad
a.ue." answered Louis. He had shot u
iyutltss glance of fury in search of
the tattlers and turned to meet her
eyes with II laugh.
Your majesty thinks such Il tale
arausing?"
THAT depends upon the Countess
Jacnueline.'
His glance held smiling admiration
grown TOO bold. and Il quick resentins
color swept the girls face But the lnu-
sic led OH again and she stepped for
ward to meet the clasp OF her husbands
hand. She looked up at him. His ma
iesty. with the duchess's fair fingers in
his, pecred askance to watch De Marche
meet those startled questioning young
eyes, and swiftly two of the tattlers
discoveries were indorsed. To king and
count Madame la Duchesse was become
passee. For from his wife's eyes DE
NIarche had looked into the kings and
their slances. were the crossing Of
swords.
1T was not until she WAS in the sleigh
going home that Jacquelne's mute
question was answered by another.
What is it," asked De Marche.
NO matter. Monsieur le Comte, 1 am
learning fast
Not, ! hope. to be unkind.'
".Ah' who teaches me?'
DO you give your captives no quar-
ter. little one"''
"Captives." cried the sirl. turning on
him passionately: 'captives, that is
what YOU have made of US.
The king" said De Marche, dryly,
lis "A most fascinating man.
He is Il most rude man. remem-
brance striking the color back to her
cheek.
The king rude" cried Marche, and
smiled as he bent to wrap her furs
closer: Il must take great care of you,
little countess There is not such an
other critic in this court of France"
II, ,:-.c
of police, to know everything; and he
attended to the matter as far as was
humanity possible. Amid weiGhtier af-
fairs he found diversions in the eclipse
of Madame la Duchesse. He even found
some sympathy in his austere nature
for the courage with which she held up
her handsome head and the smile of
contempt that she dealt the forgetful-
ness of her late worshipers. At the
next salon he sought Il moments tete-
a-t"tc with her.
The Countess De Murche" he said,
lis in great trouble. She has lost her
hetrothal ring, the great Marche ruby.
Is that very bad luck?"
''Oh. extremely: she was looking far
down the vista. of brilliant groups,
where Louis, infinitely bored, was TAX
ing slow pinch of snuff. 1.-The luck
does not depend asked De Berry.
upon who gets the GEM" The tone
drew her eyes.
You have traced it," alertly. But
DE Berry only shrugged and looked
down at the king.
Cruel" said the Duchess, with her
pretty laugh "Do YOU never tire Of
your burden of secrets?"
''Yes. Sometimes ! give one away.
Listen, now" softly, why do you not
help the little countess?"
Madame glanced across swiftly to
where Jacqueline held the count late
her own, Help here" frowning; "she
seems in no need"
she Is only a baby and toys please
her, for the moment; but-there are
other moments
And which of us has not those
other moments, monsieur?"
"Ah, yes; but one must shield such
q baby"
WELL" sharply.
husband"
madame.
But she has struck back, the naugh-
ty little witch, and-given gift to
the king"
THE ruby! What a mad freak"
{ fMost unhappy. For II she wins
smile from his majesty she cannot
hold It.. He is too bowed at other little
feet, poor man."
Madame lowered her fine eyes and
tapped one of the little feet. The ghost