Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1904-11-25
CHAPTER XVI.

W
the palatial residences of the Jandidier
brothers, two celebrated fnanciers..
These two mansions, marvels at the time
they were built, were entirely distinct
from each other, but SO planned that
they could be turned into one immense
house when so desired. When the Jandi-
diers gave parties they always had the
movable partitions taken away, and thus
obtained the most superb salon in Paris.
On Saturday the Rue st. Lazare was
blocked up by file Of carriages, whose
fair occupants were impatiently await
ing their turn to drive up to the door,
through which they could catch the tan
talizing strains of waltz.
1t was fancy ball. and nearly all the
costumes were superb, though some were
more original than elegant nong the
latter was a jester. Everything was In
perfect keeping; the insolent eye, coarse
lips. high cheek bones, and chin beard
so red that it seems to emit flames In
the reflection of the dazzling lights.
He carried in his left hand canvas
banner, upon which were painted six or
eight pictures, coarsely designed, like
those found In strolling fairs. In his
right he waved little switch, with
which he would every now and then
strike his banner like quack retailing
his wares. Quite a crowd surrounded
this clown, hoping to hear jokes, songs
or stump speeches, but he kept near the
door and remained silent. About half
past ten he quilted his post.
M. and Nine. Fauvel, followed by
their niece Madeleine, had just entered.
Belonging to the battalion Of grave. ell
derly men, M. Fauvel had not assumed
fancy costume, but merely threw over
his shoulders a sort of silk domino.
On his arm leaned Nine. Fauvel, nee
Valentine de La Verberie, bowling and
gracefully greeting her numerous friends
She had once been remarkably beautiful;
and tonight no one would have supposed
her to be forty-eight years old
But Madeleine was the object of uni
versal admiration, so dazzlingly beauti-
ful and queenly did she appear In her
costume Of maid of honor. Having
greeted the host, Madeleine took her
aunts arm. while M. Fauvel wandered
through the rooms In search of the card
table. the usual refuge Of bored men
when they are enticed to the ballroom by
their womankind.
The ball was now at Its height For
gotten by the crowd, the clown had TAX
en- refuge In the embrasure of window,
and seemed to be meditating upon the
gay scene before him; at the same time
he kept his eyes upon a couple not far
off.
Madeleine was dancing with splen-
didly dressed doge. the Marquis de Clam
eran. He appeared to be radiant, and
well satisfied with the impression he was
making upon his partner; at the end of
quadrille he leaned over her, and whis-
pered compliments with the most un-
bounded admiration.
Evidently" muttered the clown, this
noble scoundrel Is paying court to the
bankers niece. But how can Medcmoi-
selle Madeleine resign herself to so gra-
ciously receive his insipid fiattery?"
Incommoded by the sitting heat OF the
room, Nine. Fauvel had sought a little
fresh air In the grand picture gallery,
which. thanks to. the talisman called
gold. was now transformed into a fairy
like garden, filed with orange trees. ia
ponicas. laurel and many rare exotics.
The clown saw her seated near a grove,
not far from the door OF the card room.
Upon her right was Madeleine, and near
her stood Raoul de Lagors. dressed In
Henri III. costume.
Madeleine appeared very sad. She
had plucked a japonica from a tree near
by. and was pulling It to pieces as she
sat with her eyes downcast. Raoul and
Nine. Fauvel were engaged in earnest
conversation. Their faces were compos-
ed, but the gestures OF one and the trcm-
bling OF the other betrayed a serious dis
cussion. In the card room sat the duge,
M. Clameran. 80 placed as to have full
view Of Nine. Fauvel and Madeleine.
1T In the continuation OF yesterdays
scene" thought the clown. 'If could
only get behind that olsandsr tr~s