The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1902-12-03

of carrying Off the jasper button be-
longing to the Mandarlne Ii Fo, a
splendid Jewel of incalculable value, a
badge OF dignity. 1t was kept in a
granite chest and guarded by three
soldiers night and day. All, the man
darine resisted n long time. etknew
the innocent soldiers would be accused
and cruci6cd, 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
tho 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 Mime. Fauvel, who seemed about to
faint. The clown felt his arm roughly
seized by some one behind him. He
turned and faced Dc Clameran and
Layers, both of whom were pale with
anger.
What do you want, gentlemen" he
asked, with his most gracious air.
ITO speak to you," they both answer
ed.
II am Mt your service"
he followed them to the end Of the
picture gallery, near a window open.
Ing on n balcony. Here they were un.
observed except by the man in the We.
netian cloak, whom the clown had adj
dressed as monsieur the count" The
minuet having ended, the orchestras
were taking a brief rest, and, the com
pany pouring into tho gallery. 1t be-
came very crowded. The sudden faint
ness of Nine. Fauvel had passed off
unnotlccd ave by Il few, who attrib-
utcd 1t TO the heat Of the room. Nj.
Fauvcl had been sent for. but when. he
camc hurrylng In he found his wife
composcdly talking to Madeleine. Not
having rs much control over his tenn
per is Raoul, Nj. de Clamcran angrily
said:
I'm the first place, monsieur, | would
like to know who you are"
The clown determined TO answer as
If he thought tho question were a Jest.
you want my license. do you, my
lord dogc? left it in the hands of the
city authorities. 1t contains my name.
age, profession, domicile and every de-
tail'-
With m angry gesture Nj. de Clame.
ran interrupted him.
"You have committed n gross ~insult!'
al, my lord dogeT
Eyes. you! What do you mean by
telling this abominablc storyY"
"Abominable! You may call it abom.
| tnaIlA I.,t Y Il, AN
Enough. monsieur. You will at
least have the courage to acknowledge
that your performance was n vile In.
situation against Nine. Fauvel?"
The clown stood with his head
thrown back and mouth wide open, as
II astounded at what he heard. But
any II who knew him would have
seen his bright black eyes sparkling
with malicious satisfaction.
upon my word" he said as If speak.
ing to himself, "tliis is the ~strangest
thing l ever heard of! How can my
drama OF the Mandarine Ii Flo have
any allusion to Nine. Fauvcl. whom I
don't know from Adam or Eve?"
"Do you pretend" said M. de Clame-
ran, ITO be ignorant Of NJ. Fauvel's
misfortune?"
"a misfortunc?"
IL refer, monsieur, to the robbery of
which M. Fauvel was the victim and
which has been In every ones mouth"
"Ah, yes, yes, l know. His cashier
decamped with 100000 francs. 1t Is n
thing that almost daily happens. But
rs to discovering any connection be.
tween this robbery and my play, that
Is another matter"
Nj. dc Clameran made no reply. A
nudge from Layers had Gained him as
If by ~enchantment. He seemed to re-
greet having uttered the significant
words drawn from him by excitement.
very WELL" he finally said in his
usual naughty tone. ~ must have
been mistaken. 1 accept your explana-
ton"
But the clown, so humble q moment
before, said:
81 have not made nor do 1 intend
making any explanation"
"Monsieur'- began De Clameran.
"Allow me to finish, if you please.
If unintentionally 1 have offended the
wife of n man whom L 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
one of his sons. One OF them Is here.
You asked me who / am. In return
ask you who are you-you who consti-
tute yourself Nine. Fauvel's championl
Are you her relative, friend or ally!
What right have you to insult her by
pretending to discover an allusion to
her in n play invented for amuse-
ment?"
There was nothing to be said in re-
ply to this. M. de Clameran sought n
means OF escape.
~ am a friend of Nj. Fauvcl," he
said. land this title gives me the right
ITO be us Jealous of his reputation as If
1t were my own. If this is not a suffi-
cient reason for my interference, ]
must inform you that his family will
shortly be mine"
"Ah"
Next week, monsieur, my marriage
with Mile. Madeleine will be publicly
announced"
This news was SO unexpected, SO
startling, that for n moment the clown
was discounted. But it was only for q
second, and, bowling with Difference,
he said, with covert irony:
Permit me to offer my congratula.
lions, monsieur. Besides being queen
OF the ball tonight, Mile. Madeleine