The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-11-15
TIE MINNEAPOLIS JOURNAL

this distinguished honor. Sirrah, carriages
block my street. filled with those who be-
seech my introduction to John Law. I am
waylaid IL ] step abroad, by women--per-
sons of quality, ladies OF the realm, God
knoweth what-and they beg Of me the
favor of an introduction to John Law!
There seems spread, T know not how, a
silly runaor Of the child Kate. And though
did scarce more than name a convent
for her attendance, there are now out all
manner Of reports Of Monsieur John Laws
child. and-what do say-'tis monstrous!
protest that have come closer than
care into the public thoughts with this
prodigy, this John Law, whose favor Is
sought by every one. Honor!-'tis not less
than outraged Il. s
"'Tis but argument that my brother is a
person not without note" 49,,
But granted. We have seen his car
riage at your curb, they say. insist that
it is a mistake. But we saw him come
from your door at such and such an hour
If came, twas but for meeting such an
swer as I have always given him. viii
they never believe-will your brother him
self never believe that, though did he
have. as he himself says, all France in the
hollow Of his hand, he could be nothing
to me? Now will make an end to this.
will leave Paris" -,~ =
Madam, you might not be allowed
to CO." x...
''WhatI not allowed to go! And what
would hinder q Knollys of Banbury from
going when the hour shall arrive?"'
THE regent
'And why the regent7''
Because of my brother"
"Your brother!'
"Assuredly. My brother is to-day king
of Paris. If he liked he could keep you a
prisoner in Paris. My brother does as he
chooses. He could abolish parliament to-
morrow If he chose. My brother can do
all things-except to win from you, Lady
Catharine, one word of kindness, of re-
spect. Now, then, he has come to the
end He told me to come to you and bear
his word. He told me to say to you
that this is the last time he will impor-
tune, the last time that he will implore
Oh. Lady Catharine! Once before I car
ried to you message from John Law
from John Law. not in distress then more
than he Is now, even In this hour Of his
success"
Lady pCatharine paled as she sank back
at the lace at her throat. Her eyes grew
dark In their emotion. -
eyes, madam" went on viii Law, tears
shining in his own eyes, "'twas I, an
unfaithful messenger, who, by an error,
wrought ruin for my brother and for
yourself, even as I did for myself. Ma
dam, hear me! I would be better mes
senger to-day"
Lady Catharine sat still SILENT her bo-
som heaving, her eyes gone wide and
straining.
II have seen my brother weep" said
VIII, going on impulsively. II have seen
him walk the floor at night, have heard
him cry out to himself. They call him
crazed. Indeed he is crazed. Yet tits but
for one word from YOU"
Sir" said Lady Catharine, STRUGGLING
to gain self-control, and in. spite of her
well''
If do, tits because I am the mouth
piece OF man who all his life has sought
to speak the truth; who has sought-yes,
say to you even now. Lady Catharine-
who has sought always to live the truth
This say In spite of all that we both
know"
There came no reply from the woman.
who sat still looking at him, not vet
moved by the voice of the proxy as she
might then have been by the voice of
that proxy's principal. Vehementlv the
dent, approached her.
Look your exclaimed he. .1f INV
brother said he could lay France at vow
1eet by heaven! he can well-nigh do 81
now. see! Here are some Of the proper
Ties ne has lately purchased In the realm
OF france. The Marquisat d'Effiat-'tis
worth eight hundred thousand livres: the
estate OF Riviere-worth nine hundred
thousand hvres; the estate of Roissv-
SIX hundred and fifty thousand livres:
the estates Of Berville. Of Fontatne. ~
willie, OF Gerponville, Of Tancarville' ~
Guermande-the tale runs near a. score,
Lately my brother has purchased the
hotel Mazarin, and the property at Rua
VlVlenne, paying for them one million
two hundred thousand livres. He has
other city properties, houses in Paris.
estates mere and there, running not into
the hundreds of thousands but into the
millions f'livres in actual value. Amone
these are some OF the estates of the great
est mobiles of France. Their value ia
more than any man can compute. Is this
not something? Moreover, there goes
with 1t all the dignity of the most stu
pendous personal success ever made bv a.
single man since the world began. IT'S
all yours, Lady Catharine. And unless
you share 1t. 1t has no value to NV
brother. I know myself that he will
fling 1t all away, calling it worthless,
since he can not have that greatest for
tune which he craves!'
"Sirrah, have entertained much
speech Of both yourself and your brother
because wouldr1ot seem ungracious nor
forgetful. Yet this paying of court by
means Of figures. by virtue of lists Of
estates-do you not know how Intellectual
this must seem?"
IF you could but UNDERESTIMATE cried
Will. IF you could but believe that there
is none on earth values these less than
my brother. Under all this he has yet
greater dreams. His ambition is to
awaken an old world and to build q new
one. BY heaven! Lady Catharine. I am
asked to speak for my brother, and so