The Holly chieftain., 1902-10-03
CHATTER XII.

When Jones had to grapple with an.
enraged bull, metaphorically speak.
ing. 1t was his custom, and most
excellent one. too, to seize the animal
by the horns, and thus have fair
chance to pit his strength against
the power Of the beast. +.
So 1t was in this case.
The apparent presence Of Frances
chief executive in Mentone accentu-
ated matters, ana promised to bring
about speedy crisis.
Should the deep-laid plans of the
revolutionists meet with success over
the border would fash into existence
a bright flame which, spreading
across the country, would blaze up
like a prairie fire until 1t reached
Paris; and that gay, thoughtless cap
ital. always eager for a change, would
make the heaven echo with shouts of
acclaim to the new emperor.
1t was a critical hour for the life
OF the French republic.
Jones had decided upon his course
Of action, and, like wise general.
meant to meet the tricky advance Of
the enemy by counter movement.
His first tesign was to gain an in.
terview with the president.
Approaching the spot where the
president stood leaning upon a stone
balustrade and apparently admiring
the night panorama spread out be-
fore his eyes, Jones, speaking excel
lent French for Yankee, suddenly
addressed the quiet gentleman as one
tourist sometimes does another in
his enthusiasm over q sublime Spec
tacle.
The president courteously replied,
as a French gentleman always will,
nature having made them in such q
different mold from their English
neighbors across the channel
The door was thus opened.
Jones stepped in.
"Mr. President. you are in great
danger" was what he said, impress
sively.
The distinguished Frenchman
started when he heard these words
addressed to him by one he looked
upon as a stranger.
What! you know Of me?" he ex-
claimed. a6
"Yes. Your excellency, and there
are others present who have been
watching you all the evening, with
a very serious object in view"
Jones was delighted to discover
how calmly the president took his
news.
1t spoke well for his nerve.
OF course he was curious to know
who had recognized him, and why
they were 30 deeply interested in his
welfare. t%Gt0
Jones told of the waylaid train,
the capture of a republican whose
name was a power in France, the
possible desire to seize upon the
president II he could be located on
the Nice express, and last but not
least. the gathering Of the revolu-
tionary clans at Monte Carlo, and
their evident design to carry out
some desperate plan.
All Of which, condensed into COM
paratiyely few paragraphs. constituted
a sensation that might have well
aroused alarm in the breast ef the
bravest. f
The president did not seem to be
shaken.
OF course this steadiness delighted
the man who carried the news-if
there was one quality in the makeup
Of humanity that he admired more
than another. 1t was the faculty
which 30 few men possess, OF con-
trolling their emotions.
The Frenchman was a wonder in
his eyes, and Jones felt especially
proud to serve him.
CONFIDENTIAL relations seemed to
have been established between them,
~ though the president had recog.
nized In Jones one gifted with au-
thority to look after the peace Of Eu.
rope, and particularly of France, with
power to balk any and all desperate
games put into circulation by such
trouble makers Is the shrewd Prin.
cess Olgavitch and her allies.
ITO be continued.)
tNl Cause for RaIolclnu.