The Iola register., 1902-05-09

came whom the mandsrine had nothing
mol'e to give. II was then that the
young scoundrel conceived the project
of carrying off the jasper button be-
longing TO the Mandarlne Ii Po, a
splendid jewel of incalculable value
badge of dignity. 1t was kept in a
granite chest and guarded by three
soldiers night and day. All, the man
darine resisted long time. She knew
the innocent soldiers would be accused
and crucifed, as is the custom in Pc
king, and this thought restrained her.
But her lover besought her so tenderly
that she finally yielded to his en-
treaties, and the Jasper button was
stolen. The fourth picture represents
the guilty couple stealthily creeping
down the private stairway. See their
frightened look-see'-
He abruptly stopped. Three or four
of his auditors rushed to the assistance
of Nine. Fauvel, who seemed about to
faint. The clown felt his arm roughly
seized by some one behind him. He
turned and faced De Clameran and
Lagors, both of whom were pale with
anger.
what do you want, gentlemenp he
asked, with his most gracious air.
"To speak to you," they both answer
ed.
II am at your service"
He followed them to the end Of the
picture gallery, near window open
ing on balcony. Here they were un-
observed except by the man in the We
netian cloak, whom the clown had ad-
dressed as monsieur the count" The
minuet having ended, the orchestras
were taking brief rest, and, the com
pany pouring into the gallery, it be-
came very crowded. The sudden faint
ness of Nine. Fauvel had passed Off
unnotlced save by a few, who attrlb-
uted 1t to the heat of the room. NJ.
Fauvel had been sent for, bat when he
came hurrying in he found his wife
composedly talking to Madeleine. Not
having as much control over his tenn
per as Raoul, NJ. de Clameran angrily
said:
"In the first place, monsieur, would
like to know who you are"
The clown determined to answer as
If he thought the question were jest.
"You want my license, do you, my
lord doge? left it in the hands Of the
city authorities 1t contains my name,
age, profession, domicile and every de-
tail'-
With an angry gesture NJ. de Clame-
ran interrupted him.
you have committed gross INSULT"
81, my lord dogeT
yes you What do you mean by
telling this abominable storyY
"Abominable! You may call it abom-
Unable, but l, who composed it,
Enough, monsieur. You will at
least have the courage to acknowledge
that your performance was vile in
Sinuation against Nine. FauvelT"
The clown stood with his head
thpown back and mouth wide open, as
if astounded at what he heard. But
any one who knew him would have
seen his bright black eyes sparkling
with malicious satisfaction.
Upon my word" he said as il speak
ing to himself. this is the strangest
thing | ever heard of! How can my
drama of the Mandarine Ii Fo have
any alluston to Nine. Fauvel, whom l
don't know from Adam or Eve"
do you pretend" said NJ. dc Clame-
ran, ''to be ignorant of NJ. Fauvel's
misfortuReT'
"a misfortune"
81 refer, monsieur, to the robbery of
which NJ. Fauvel was the victim and
which has been in every ones mouth"
"Ah, yes, yes, l know. His cashier
decamped with $4,000 francs. 1t is n
thing that almost daily happens. But
as TO discovering any connection be-
tween this robbery and my play, that
is another matter"
NJ. de Clameran made no reply. A
nudge from Lagors had camed him as
If by enchantment. He seemed to re-
gret having uttered the significant
words drawn from him by excitement.
VERY WELL" he finally said in his
usual naughty tone. 81 must have
been mistaken. | accept your eXplana-
ton"
But the clown, so humble a moment
before, said:
81 have not made nor do l intend
making any explanation"
Monsieur began De Clameran.
"Allow me to finish, If you please.
If unintentionally | have offended the
wife of a man whom | highly esteem,
he is her protector; not you. Perhaps
you will tell me he is too old to de-
mand satisfaction. If so, let him send
ono of his sons One of them is here
You asked me who l am. In return |
ask you who are you-you who consti-
tute yourself Nine. Fauve's champion?
Are you her relative, friend or ally?
What right have you to insult her by
pretending to discover an allusion to
her in a play invented for amuse-
ment?"
rrhn.o r-nn nothing "a hn cnid In 70