Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-03-01


 the age of twenty four had washed his hands at his fathers shop. changed his clothes and gone to court to give the four daughters of Louis XY. lessons on the harp-even he was less welcome at the Tutleries or less a favofite of theyoung Queen Marie Antoinette than this same nobleman now aboard the Two Sisters.
 It is perhaps not to be wondered at that the passengers knew little of such things and doubtless for the most part cared less. Two Annapolis merchants, loyal since the nonimportation agree Sments had pinehed their pockets: a brace of London factors looking for likely agencies; virginian fresh from study in the Middle Temple, bound for the woolsack at Lancaster; British ,quartermaster journeying to Boston what should such a company know of Gallic pedigrees or. the chatter of the French court? &
 A diplomat might have found in tie presence of the marquis something to ponder. For at that time strange things were stirring. Louis XVI, young. enthusiastic, unaccustomed, was learning for the first how exceeding difficult 1t is to be a king. M. Turgot, his grim old minister of finance, logical, ipiiiless, cold as dogs nose, was pull ing one way; Beaumarchais, brilliant as a chameleon, fascinating, egotist, in- ftirnate of French queen. was pulling another.
 And what was the bone of conten- Ition? Whether France should give her treasure to the secret aid of the Amer tfcan colonies. With such counsels in the air England slept, like 8 surly bull. dog with one eye open. She watched at home, and her astute ambassador, Lord Stormont, kept hawks eye upon the Tuiler1es. e'e., ..- .@'.'
 So, in itself, there was an interest for those who knew, attaching to the sud den journeying to America of this man. so near to the French counsels, at once a noble, a courier and a republican. And this interest was intensified for Jarrat, who, mindful of the letter he carried of confidential import, hugged the reflection that he knew the reason for it.
 Jarrat, like many another schemer, made the error of underwriting the in- tellectuality of an opponent. He had small idea that the marquis young secretary was observant in his turn. Armand. who had scented him very early. kept his cabin, and no one aboard-the ship carried no leech--saw his master. &.a "@-..
 Four days after the episode of the gold crown .Jarrat tried the skipper again.
 Master Elves chewed a bitter cud and wore habitual droop to his eye. Now the courtesy. came as thickly as cold weather treacle. 5 'fThe Marquis de la Trouerie,' he an swered, ''ain't on the ship
 Jarat stepped back heavily Not on the ship, f1end plague mel He IS on the ship"
 "Mayhap ye know better nor l." an swered Master Elves shortly.
 Jarrat burst out laughing. He felt a sudden contempt for this clumsy sub terfuge. - 4
 "A brave conclusion" he cried. And how long is it to last? Is the noble gen tleman to lie shamming. Abraham in his cabin till we sight the Virginia capes? Awhile ago he was sick, guard ed from all our pining eyes by his argus eyed clerk. Now, behold, he is not even aboard! Oh, an accomplished noblemanv' ..3
 The skipper squinted out to sea, and drawn pucker came to his lips.
 ''See here," said Jarrat, his tone talk ing edge. II have business with this gentleman. and I'll not be put off This is the eighth day out, and he hasn't shown his nose out of his cabin. 'Tis my opinion he's no more sick than I am"
 "No more Is he." said Master Elves. What then?"
 Just this: want to see the marquis. and I mean to see the marquis. Dye hear that, you lumpfn? Twill be bet ter for you. I can tell you, if you fetch me to him at once!' sk
 The shippers moment had arrived.
 "Fetch ye to himr' he roared, with something between an oath and SAuCklc. 1uC uldu yc E0 dlLGT uIcu two days ago and was sent to the fishes last night! Fetch ye to him! Flaw, haw!'
 With this parting shot he went off splitting furiously. n
 ''Deadw exclaimed Jarrat, with sag ging jaw, staring after him. "Deadw he said again, and then stood, vacant eyed, his face the dead color of chagrin In which calculation has had no time to slip. j3-. .- -,-
 With the passengers the young secre- tary, M. Armand, had his way to make, and this he accomplished with abun- dant good nature. Him they first snub- bed, then tolerated, then liked.
 The young Virginian,~ Breckinridge Gary sought him openly and more than once drew his arm through his own as he walked the deck, The Yirginian was beyond question of the quality, and certain footing had made for him so- cial squeamishness unnecessary. As for the secretary, he went his way xxyS%S s,ot ,~xs