The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1902-04-18

est shall supply the place of love in
holding the seductive youth. 1t is
with this object that she invests him
with false honors and dignity and in
PRODUCES him to the chief mandarins
of the capital of the Celestial empire.
Then, since so handsome a youth must
cut fine figure in society, the lady
must needs to sacrifice all Of her pos
sessions for his sake-necklaces, rings,
bracelets, diamonds and pearls-every
Jewel she possesses. The monster car
ries all these to the pawnbrokers on
Tientsi street and then has the cruel
ty to refuse her the tickets, SO that she
may have a chance of redeemirg her
treasures"
The clown thought that at last he
had fulfilled the conditions. Nine.
Fauvel began to betray signs of un-
easiness. Once she made an attempt
to rise from the chair, but it seemed as
il her strength failed her, and she
sank back, forced to l'sren.
Finally, ladie., - gentlemen" con-
tinued the clown, "the richly stored
jewel cases were emptied. The day
came when the mandarine had nothing
more to give. 1t was then that the
young scoundrel conceived the project
of carrying off the jasper button be-
longing to the Mandarine Ii Fo,
splendid jewel of incalculable value.
badge Of dignity. 1t was kept in
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 crucified, 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, gentlemenY 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 a window open
Ing on balcony. Here they were un-
observed except by the man in the We
netian cloak, when 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
save by few, who attrib-
uted it to the heat of the room. M.
Fauvel had been sent for, but when he
came hurrying in he found his wife
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 a 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 M. de Clame-
ran interrupted him.
"You have committed a gross insultw
II, my lord doge?
"Yes, you! What do you mean by
telling this abominable story?"
"Abominable! You may call it abom-
lnable, but l, who composed it,
Enough, monsieur. You will at
least have the courage to acknowledge
that your performance was a vile in
sinuation against Nine. Fauvel?
The clown stood with his head
thrown back and mouth wide open, as
f astounded at what he heard. But
my one who knew him would have
seen his bright black eyes sparkling
With malicious satisfaction.
upon my word" he said as if speak
ng to himself, 'this is the strangest
hing l ever heard of! How can my
lrama of the Mandarine Ii Fo have
my allusion to Nine. Fauvel, whom I
lon't know from Adam or Eve?"
"Do you pretend" said NJ. de Clame-
an, ''to be ignorant Of NJ. FauvePs
"a misfortune?"
Il 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
lecamped with $4,000 francs. 1t is a
hing that almost daily happens. But
IS to discovering any connection be-
ween this robbery and my play, that
S another matter"
M. de Clameran made no reply. A
nudge from Lagors had calmed him as
by enchantment. He seemed to re-
ret having uttered the significant
words drawn from him by excitement.
very WELL" he finally said in his
lsual naughty tone. 81 must have
'een mistaken. l accept your explana-
ion."
But the clown, so humble a moment
efore, said:
81 have not made nor do I intend
laking any explanation"
Monsieur began De Clameran.
"Allow me to finish, if you please.
f unintentionally have offended the