The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1904-11-09
THE MISSISSIPPI
|, BUBBLE
By EMERSON HoUGH
Author of"The Stony of tho Cowboy"
The Girl at the Hallway House. 50 Rtc.
Copyright. 1909. by Emerson Hough.,
CHAPTER XXXIv.

THE REGENTS PROMISE.
Tell me, then, Monsieur Las, of this
snew America. would fain have some
information at first hand. There was
rumor, know not how exact, that you
once travelled in those regions
Thus spake his grace Philippe, duke
of Orleans, regent of France, now, in
effect, ruler of France. 1t was the au-
dience which had been arranged for
John Law, that opportunity for which
he had waited all his life. Before him
now, as he stood in the great council
chamber, facing this man whose ambi-
'tlons ended where his own began-at
tho convivial board and at the gam
ing table-he saw the path which led
sto the success that he had craved so
long. He, Law of Lauriston, some
time adventurer and gambler, was now
playing his last and greatest game.
Your Grace" said he, there be
many who might better than tell you
of that America"
There are many who should be
able, and many who do" replied the
regent. by the body of the Lord! we
these provinces of New France, and
each advice is worse than the one pre-
-ceding it. The gist of it all is that
my lord governor and my very good
attendant can never agree, save upon
one point or so. They want more
money, and they want more soldiers
-ah, yes, to be sure, they also want
more women, though we sent them out
"a ship load of choice beauties not
more than six-month ago. But tell
me, Monsieur Las, is it indeed true
that you have travelled in American"
For short time
II have heard nothing regarding you
Hrom the intendant at Quebec"
''Your grace was not at that time
caring for intendants. Twas many
years ago, and was not well known
at Quebec by my own name"
'Eh bien? Some adventure, then,
perhaps? A woman at the bottom of
1t, warrant
"Your grace Is right"
"'Twas like you, for a fellow of
good zest. May God bless all fair
danes. And as to what you found in
thus following-or was it in fleeing
your divinity?"
Il found many things. For one,
that this America is the greatest coun-
try of the world Neither England nor
France is to be compared with it,"
The regent fell back in his chair and
laughed heartily.
Monsieur, you are indeed, as /
have ever found you, of most excellent
wit. You please me enormously"
But, your grace, am entirely Sc
rious.'
'Oh, come, spoil not SO good Jest
by qualifying, beseech you! En-
gland or France, indeed-ah, Monsieur
Las, Monsieur Las!"
Your own city of New Orleans, sire,
will lie at the gate of realm greater
than all France. Your grace will hand
to the young king, when he shall come
.of age, realm excellently worth the
ownership of any king
"You say rich. In what way?" asked
dhe regent. eve have not had so much
.of returns after all. Look at Crozat?
Look at"
solved not the first problem of real
commerce. He never dreamed the real
sickness of America"
Philippe sat thoughtful, his finger
fips together. why have we not
heard of these things?" said he.
Because of men like Crozat, of men
like your governors and intendants at
Quebec. Because, your grace, as you
know very we'll, of the same reason
which sent me once from Paris, and
kept me so long finn laying before
.yor these very plans OF which ] now
would speak"
And that cause?'
Ma;ntenon."
'Oh. ali! Irdeed--that Is to say ="
Louis would hear naught of me. OF
course. Naintenon took care that no
should find was but hereto"