Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-03-08

UPS, lntrlcately embroidered In the ma.
tive bead work of America, and stained
with great blotches of colors done In
the quilts OF the porcupine-heayy
reds, sprightly yellows, and deep blues.
Down the seams of this loose-fittine
tunic depended little waving fringes.
The belt which caught it at the waist
was wrought likewise in beads. Be-
meath the level of the table, as she
stood, the inquiring eyes might not
80 clearly see; yet the white leggings.
fringed and beaded, and covered by q
sweeping blanket of snowy buckskin.
might have been seen to finish at the
ankle and blend in texture and orna-
mentation with tiny shoes, which COW
cred the smallest foot yet seen in
Paris-shoes at the side of which there
dangled the little bells of metal whose
tones had told her coming.
Here and there upon the bead work
OF the native artist, who had made this
attire at the expense Of SO much pa
tient effort, there blazed the changing
rays of real gems, diamonds, rubies.
emeralds-every stone known as pre-
cious. AS the full bosom Of the scorn-
ful beauty rose and fell there were
cast about In sprays of light the reflec-
lions OF these gems Bracelets Of dull,
beaten metal hung about her wrists.
In her hair were ornaments of some
dull blue stone. Barbaric, beautiful,
fascinating, savage she surely seemed
as she met unruff1ed the startled gaze
OF these beautiful women of the court,
who never, at even the most fanciful
bal masque in all Paris, had seen Co.'S
tune like this.
Ladies, la voila!" spoke the regent.
ma belle sauvage!"
The newcomer swept careless cour-
tesy as she took her seat AS yet she
had not spoken word.
Your grace said Madame de Sa-
bran, was it not understood that we
were to meet tonight none less than
the wizard, Monsieur L'as?"
Monsieur Las will be with US, and
bis brother" replied Philippe. but
now ask you to bear witness to the
shrewdness Of your friend Philippe in
entertainment. / bethought me that,
"a we were to have with us the master
Of the Messasebe, it were we'll to have
with us also the typified genius of that
same Messasebe. Twas. but a little
conceit of my own. And why-mon
enfant. what Is 1t to you? What do
you know of our controller of finance?"
The face Of the woman at his right
had suddenly gone white with pallor
visible even beneath its rouge and
patches She half turned, as though to
push back her chair from the board,
would have arisen, would have spoken
perhaps; yet act and gesture were at
the time unnoticed.
His excellency, Monsieur Jean Las,
lie controleur-general," came the soft
tones Of the attendant near the door.
Monsieur Guillaume Las, brother Of
the controleur-general."
The eyes Of all were turned toward
the door. Every petted belle Of Paris
there assembled shifted bodily in her
seat, turning her gaze upon that man
whose reputation was the talk Of ali
the realm of France.
"Ah, Monsieur Las, Monsieur L'as!H
exclaimed Philippe of Orleans. stepping
forward to welcome him and taking
the hand Of Law In both his own.
"You are welcome, you are very well
come indeed. The soup will be with us
presently, and the wine of Al is with us
now. You and your brother are with
US; and all at last is well. These ladies
are, as believe, all within your ac-
quaintance. You have been present at
the salon of Madame de Tencin. You
know her grace the Duchess de Falari,
recently Madame d'Artague? Mademoi-
selle de Caylus you know very well,
and OF course also Mademoiselle Aiase,
la belle Circassienne-but what?
Diable! Have you gone mad? Come,
Is the sight Of my guest too much for
you also, Monsieur L'as?"
There was irritation in the tone
With which the regent uttered this pro-
test, yet he continued:
I '!Mons!eur Las, tits but little sur-
prise l had planned for you. Mademoi.
selle. my princess Of the Messasebe.
king Of the Messasebe, and hence your
sovereign! This is my fair unknown,
whose face have promised you should
see to-night-this, Monsieur Las, is my
princess. the one whom have seen at
to honor this evening by the wearing
OF the chief gem of France"
The regent fumbled for an instant at
his fob. He stepped to the side Of the
faltering figure which stood arrayed
In all its savage finery. One move
ment, and upon the dark locks which
fell about her brow there blazed the un-
speakable fires of a stone whose mag
nificence brought forth EXPLANATIONS
Of awe from every person present.
"See!" cried Philippe of Orleans.
Twas on the advice and by the aid Of
Monsieur Las that secured the gem:
whose like is not known in all ting
world. IT'S chief Of the crown Jewels
GF fhe realm Of France, this stone. now
to be known as the regents diamond,
And new, as regent Of France and mas
ter for 9 day Of her jewels, place
this gemsupon the brow of her who for
this night is to be your queen Of
beauty" -,s..i...: ,sag.
The wine of All had already done
part of.its work, There were bright
ened eYes easy gestures and ready
compliance as the guests arose to quar-
the toast to this new queen.
AS for the queen herself, she stood
faltering, her eyes ayerted, her limbs
trembling. John Law, tall, calm, self
possessed, did mot take his seat, but
stood with set. fixed face, gazing at
the woman who held the place of honor