The Washington times., 1903-02-15

union she proceeded to picture He was
interrupted by the door swinging open
and the valet de chambre announcing:
The Due dc Duras."
This nobIeman, as usual. delayed his
entrance full minute. Then he came
in laEguidly. with his snuff box in his
right hand. his hat under his arm. his
peruke Immaculate and his eyeglass
dangling at his waist De Duras was a
short-sighted courtIer, for he did not
see the King standing near the window
/ He bowed. Madame la Comtesse raised
her hand. The due advanced, lifted it to
his lips, and left upon its fair surface the
faint crimson trace of bis salute Jean
cite smiled.
Monsieur lie Due is punctuaI." she
said.
7 feared to miss you There were
rumors--"
AS his majesty has kindly acquainted
me-"
His majesty is present." exclaimed
De Duras. CHANGING round and discover
ing the King. "Ahl Your binding gra-
ciousness. Mademoiselle, prevented my
seeing his majesty" Louis was evident
y pleased at this homage being done the
favorite, as he laughingly replied:
"Duras, you really have an excellent
eye for women. but an execrable one for
other things. 1t seems you address
Madame lie Comtesse as mademoiseIIe,
failing. OF course. to observe the diff
ference"
Madame la Confess"
"Du Barry" finished the King for
him. AS his majesty did not see fit
to explain the difference TO which he |
had alluded. the eourtier restrained his
consuming curiosity. Besides. the King
was addressing him again.
Monsieur lie Due" he said. II have
just received a letter saying that my
brother of Denmark will visit us the
latter part OF next week. You and your I
son must do the Office Of master of /
ceremonies to his Polar majesty
Your majesty honors me-"
Does the commission please you?"
1T pleases me TO serve my sovereign 4
in any capacity"
BE sure it is no Jest to amuse Chris
tian OF Denmark"
"One can only try"
Christian is a very unamusable man.
Mon Dieu! What inconvenieut persons
are travelling monarchs Why do they
ever leave home?" grumbIed the King
Surely you must know, sire" Of
fered Jeanette. as a curious timepieee
in the conner struck nine. She was
oomtesse nearly four hours old.
No" replied Louis, as. his attention
attracted by the intricate mechanism OF
the tlmepiece, which had started
fountain playing, he walked over in order
to examine it more closely.
With the versatile curiosity OF one
Away in search OF something TO amuse
him. he fixed his eyes on the quaint
pagoda. 1t was Chinese invention. and
each time the clock struck the small
fountain in front OF the Pagoda began to
play. the fish to swim. and the portal
Of the small temple opening. there came
out a procession OF mandarins.
Dlscreetly waiting until the royal
curiosity was satisfied. Jeanette archly
replied:
1T is because they are weary of
admiring your majesty at a distance
and wish for the happiness of seeing
you in your own home"
Louis rubbed his hands. as he always
did when he was pleased.
Madame lie Comtesse makes the mis-
take OF judging others by herself For
eign potentates have not the same re-
gard for me. In their hearts as you
feel. since they come to see not me but
France" he sighed.
Perhaps that Is why they come so
seldom" she returned with a smile.
I'VE must call you Madame Flattery.
But you arc wrong for all that When
I was some years younger I received
n visit from the Car Peter the Great.
He was not deficient in acumen. but be- ,
haved like a boor. He passed his time I
in running through the academies. libra Z
ries and manufactures. I never saw
such 2 boresome fellow. Imagine him 7,
embracing me at our first interview :
and carrying me in his arms as one OF ,
my Wallets would have dOneI But how v
Paris ran after him, One would have
supposed by the popular eagerness that .
my people had never seen such a regal =
+
1T was simply the novelty" ventured ii
De Du-as.
Whether or no. there is a crowned