The Washington times., 1903-02-22


palace. exposed to view the moving
tErong. radiant with diamonds. rubies.
sapphires. and bending TO the gesture
OF one man, as bends before the wind
a field OF golden corn; with it's bright
flowers OF crimson. white and blue-Ver-
sailies was impressive indeed with rep
resentatives OF all the powers OF the
earth, as well as princes, mobiles, gem
erals and learned men from home and
abroad to tread it's carpets and inlaid
floors.
A grand monarch-the creator OF
etiquette. a system which shut up each
individual within bounds beyond which
he could not pass-had desired that the
favored few. initiated into the splendor
OF his regal life. should be so impressed
that ever afterward they could regard
the palace as a temple. and the King as
it's presiding deity. to whose presence
some had the privilege OF approaching
nearer than others.
Death had made this grand monarch
abdicate in favor OF his grandson, but
the spirit which he engendered was still
abroad
Crowding the avenues leading to the
palace was an inquisitive though per
haps hungry populace-wretched. forget
ting-strange anomaly, both their hun
ger and Indebtedness. that they might
gaze on so much grandeur Floods OF
light streamed from the chateau win
dows. and the lusters from a distance
looked like stars in nebulous atmos-
phere.
Comte Jean had spoken truly when he
told jeanette that Nine. de Bearn had
swallowed bait. hook. and all. But the
confident fisherman made the mistake OF
tying his line TO a bush and going or
to boast OF his catch before il was
landed Du Barry had. indeed. secured
an oral promise from Nine. de Bearn
10 oficiate at the presentation. but-a
promise was merely a few words brought
together on occasion So at least ar
gued the crafty old noblewoman to her
self when Monsieur de RoqueIaure ar
rived at her hotel in the Rue st. Ger
main des Pres few hours later and
united the lire which the Comte du
Barry had so careIessly fastened.
De Choiseul had learned. from the
same secret emissaries who had in
formed him that the favorite was mar
ried. that the Comtesse de Bearn had
/ been engaged 70 perform the state in
PRODUCTION Being a man of action and
resources he had at once dispatched
Roquelaure 70 eircumvent the arrange
ments-
| So potent were the arguments OF the
ambassador-and advanced with such
cunningham he extracted promise
| from the godmother-elect 20 forego the
idea altogether. This disquieting news
had only reached Comte Jean early or
the morning set for the presentation
He Immediately set OF 10 demand AT
explanation from the prospective god
mother. and was now entering the Coo
Chantant. in the Rue St German des
Pres-a great black house with a mon
strous cock painted on the iron plate al
the door
On the gaping porch OF the inn be en-
countered the hostess and inquired II
the Comtesse de Bearn were in.
"she is very ill.," replied the woman
with a dOleful face. But Du Barry had
already decided upon his plan of action
Yes. yes. very i'll. exactly h,
agreed. and have come to inquire into
her condition"
But she viii see no one"
Except
positively no one"
'MyseII-her nearest kin continued
Du Barry. blandly. finishing his sen
tence.
All. Monsieur should have explained
in the FIRST place that he was relative
Just follow me and she led the way
through the antique hall and up tn,
stair. al the head OF which she Tape,
en- q door.
Who is >" cried an almost mascu-
line voice from within
Comte Jean had pushed open the door
He boldly answered:
81"
'You?'' queried the old woman. who
was seated on the opposite side OF the
room with her foot IN a bandage. She
was peering AZ him. The hostess re-
tired
Are you so surprised TO see me? Tn
less my memory has played me tricl
we were TO so 10 Versailles this morn
ing"
"Ah, My dear friend. have met Will
a distressing accident. a most distress
ing accident"