The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1902-10-24
sIIlljG jTlWIO orphans.
N - = = : = = ~ a
OF BEI.-AIIe.
by ,De.KIsn11e1,y.
CHAPTER VII,

& same evening that tho beautiful Or
iphan was abducted.
The scene there was a brilliant one,
we'll illustrating the pleasures of tho
s mobiles Of France about the beginning
Sof the present century
a small garden had been made in
h the midst OF a natural grove, which
/ was shutout from the curious gaze Of
3 the world by several small cottages or
Of art; and which served The Marquis
Y &c PrcSlcS as q rctrcat whore, free
from intrusion, that proiligate noble
man could enjoy the society Of boon
companions, who, like himself, lived
/ only for the present and its pleasures.
On this particular evening the gar
d NM. were Illuminated, and large
OF so-callcd ladies and gentle
mon we're assembled to do full honor
& to the entertainments for which the
marquis was celebrated.
AS we attempt to pass within the
FL enclosure, we arc stopped by a numer-
"a Gus crowd Of lacllcys, who demand to
see our card of admission, and failing
q TO produce such q passport, we arc told
J we are not allowed even near the
gardens; while all efforts to induce
any of them to present our cards to
5 the master Of this retreat are equally
unayailing, us they declare that their
4 orders are most positive, and we
must 60 quietly away or be forced to
CO., Thus jeal0uSly does the marquis
guard his retreat from ilnportunatc
4 creditor or unwclcomc friend.
Inasmuch as we only visit Bcl-Air
in fancy, we can bid defiance to the
marquis's orders, and enter without
Z his permission.
Around the tables which are placed
In the garden, q number Of ladies and
gentlemen are seated, drinking wine
4 while they discuss the latest court
! news, or the most interesting scandal
4& We'll, what do you think of my re-
treat from the whirl and bustle Of
Paris?' asked the marquis Of his visa
visl Who a was q ,a ,daashing sort Of beauty
lady, 81 am delighted. 1t Is a salts
faction to find a gentleman who main
tai1s the customs Of his rank
And yet there are fools who want
& to change thcm!" exclaimed q young
& noblelnan from the opposite table.
You arc right--fools- FOOLS" an
swcred Do Presles, as he motioncd to
Z the servants for more wine.
"By the way" asked The lady who
had first spoken, "you htye heard the
4 AS no one had heard anything parti-
cularly new for the past two hours,
she continued by saying;
'"rhey say that the new minstcr Of
police is as hard as a stone, and cold as
s fish. He is going to put 4 stop TO all
our amuscmcntS, and, marquis, this
may be the last entertainment you
give at Bel Air.
"Nonscnsc!' exclaimed the host.
a5"I'd like to see the minister Of police
who would dare to interfere with the
pleasures ola French noblcman. Who
and what Is hc?''
:" He is from Tourains; is called tile
II Count dc Lnieres, and is the uncle Of
Y the Chcvalier Maurice dc Vaudrey.o
"Wherc is the chevalier?" suddenly
asked one Of the ladies, as she was thus
reminded Of one whom report had dcs-
cribed as rather eccentric, and on whom
ssshc wished to exercise her charms.
~ q ou promised 3 I, me ] should see him,
Marquis..'', SYges-s. .5s,s,s y syl,iSla
I $50 I did, and ! cxpect;him as we'll
;ls another guest, warn you, ladies,
that she will be u rival to you all"
"WhO is the other gucst?" was the
question which assailed him from all
quartcrs
"A young LADY, answered the mar
quis, as If cmapturcd at the thought.
r
and innocent as an angel"
Where did you find such Il pcarl?"
asked one of the ladies, bantcringly'
SIN Normandy"
This announcement was followed by |
a general laugh
f"fYes, i know thcsr Normandy beau
ties with caps six feet high" laughed |
one Of the ladies betraying in spite Of
herself; a tingc OF jealousy in her voice.
In wooden Shoes" added another Of
the fair ones, "and hair plated down
her back"
Laugh away, ladies" said De Pres
beauty in high cap, wooden shoes
and all and then see how jealous you
Will all become at sight OF her."
At this lnOmcnta voice was heard
from the outside, and in the midst OF
some confusion, a rather singular voice
was heard saying;
81 tell you ! must go in, and will.
] must speak to your master"
N On hearing this the marquis went
toward the entrance, and demanded
OF the servants who this was, who was
SOimportunate.
Picard" answered the owner Of
the singular voice "picard, valet to
the Chcvalier de- Vaudrcy"
The marquis Immediately gave or
ders that he be admitted, and Sharp,
Wiry-looking fellow, wearing the De
Vaudry livery, stood before the gay
party.
Most excellent Marquis, and most
beautiful ladics,'' said he, in an af-
fcctiOnatc tone, and with a low bow,
which was received with laughter, 81 |
am very sorry, but my master asks
you to excuse him.
Excuse him?'' echoed one of the
ladies, "why he promised -
Il did the promising" answered |
Picard, with another Of his sweeping
bows. SHE said he did not know
whether he could come or not, but
thinking | could persuade him, /
promised for him."
you took q great liberty"
said De Prcslcs, "and he ought to pun
sish,you for it,"
@ !. Certainly he ought" answered Pic
ard, blandly; 81 wish he would; but
alas! my master Is not like other mas
ter at all.
Seeing looks Of incrcdullty at this
statement, Picard continued, in u
most solemn manner.
4455ta:It Is so, gentlemen. He spends his
nights IN pleasure, as q young noble
man should; but hfs days show do you
suppose he spends his days2"
4ssYs'sSleeps, Of course" said the mar
sHuis ,sin q positive tone. .a
7FIsDGnfltilomcn. allow mo tO foil vOl