The Washington times., 1902-03-08

fall in love? Had he already fallen in
love? Was there a place in this fierce
bosom for the tender passion? II we take
| the word of the play makers and the
novel writer's he must have had half a
hundred lady loves for each of them!-
aud there are quite half a hundred of
| themi-saddles him at least with one; a
true sailor, with a sweetheart in every
port.
But history has somehow failed to
verify the conceitS of romance. The
story that he could have had any amorous
connection with Catherine of Russia is
preposterous, though there is some rea-
son to suspect that the puissant and un-
scrupulous Empress had designs not
wholly official when she induced him to
lend her his genius and his sword, and
made him admiral"
The Great Hero's Sweetheart.
Then he related the following story:
''The one woman with whom his name
is linked. and linked forever-who, from
the hour she met him just after the
famous sea fight to the hour Of his death.
fourteen years afterward. stood nearest
him. and. figuratively speaking, never
seemed to live. and, lest there be some
scandal, for whose future he provided be-
fore he went hence-was Adele Aimee de
Thelison.
She was a natural daughter of Louis
XIV by Madame de Bonneval one OF the
many mistresses of that shameless mon
arch. She grew up in the court circles,
foster child of the old Marchioness de
Marsan. and protege of the Duchess de
hoy har ho-
fore his cruise in the Richard. 1t does
not appear. however, that any intimacy
sprang up between them until he re-
turned from that cruise. Thenceforward
she is his bOnne camerade when in Faris;
his constant, confidential correspondent
when away from Paris.
He was thirty two. she was twenty
one, relative ages which do not allow us to
assume state of mere platonic friend
ship. Yet in the many letters that sur
vive. not an incriminating word. During
the fourteen years of their relationship,
not a breath of scandal. Evil to them
that evil think. This chevalier. without
fear and without reproach. stood between
the very wind and the royal waif the wind
had blown him. Almost in her arms he
died; and, he being gone. she disappears
amid the mists that envelope the reign
OF blood and terror as though she had
never existed. Beautiful spirit! Sprung
from line of kings, though it may be
from line of courtesans. to irradiate for
while the life of hero then to fade
away like an exhalation of the evening
into the night of oblivion. leaving not a
shade behind! Would that history could
say OF Horatfo Nelson what this chapter
says of John Paul Jones,"
His Return to France.
Mr. Nyatteyson touched Hgbtyy an ,bo
Russian episode. Jones returned to
Paris after an absence OF two years. He
found France in commissions. His friend,
the King, was a captive in his own pal
ace. His other friends, Lafayette and
Mirabeau. were vainly attempting to stem
the tide of revolution. Events swept on
ward with resstless velocity and force
Monarchy was gone. The convention was
the State.
Although Jones stood aloof, divided be-
tween his love of freedom and his loyalty
to the royal master who had so honored
him, man of such resplendent genius
and renown. could not remain obscure
said Mr.. Watterson. at was purposed to
reorganiZe the French navy from its
foundation. and he had been selected for
the task. Had he lived week longer he
would have been commissioned Admiral
OF France. Just one week before the end
supper was given in his honor by the
leaders of the revolution at the Cafe
Timon. Jones, though obviously sick
man, appeared to be mending, and. alive
with intellectual fire, was never more
gracious and charming. Cambon was
there and Carnot, Barere and Philippe
Egalite, his old friend the Duke of Or
leans. Lovingly, royalty they feted and
feasted him. At last. in response to the
toast. The Coming Admiral of France.
Jones rose upon his feet and spoke to
them. AS an illustration OF character this
speech is notable: as his last public ut
terance it deserves to be remembered and