Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1904-05-25
THE MISSISSIPPI
/, BUBBLE .
By EMERSON HOUGH
Author of"The Story Of the Cowboy"
Inc Girl at the Hallway House. Etc.
Copyright, 1907. by Emerson Hough.,
CHAPTER XXXIV.
THE REGENTS PROMISE.


Tel me, then, Monsieur Las. of this
new 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-
tons ended where his own began-at
the convivial board and at the gam
ing table-he saw the path which led
TO 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 Won
OF that America"
There are many who should be
able. and many who do" replied the
regent. BY the body OF the Lord, we
Eet nothing but information regardiuc
these provinces OF New France. ana
each advice is worse than the one pre-
cediGg il. The c.st of il ali is tina
my lord governor and my very CooJ
intendant can never agree, save upon
one point or so. They want more
money. and they want more soldiers
All. yes 10 be sure. they also want
more women, though we sent them our
ship load Of choice beauties not
more than siX-month ago. But tell
me. Monsieur Las is II indeed true
mat YOU have travelled in America"
For a short time"
II have heard nothing regarding YOU
from the intendant at Quebec"
Your grace was not az that time
caring for intendants. Twas man.
years ago. and was not well known
at Quebec by ny own name"
EN- bien? Some adventure. then
perhaps? A woman at the bottom of
#. I warrant"
Your srace is right"
Twas like You. for a fellow OF
good zest. May God bless adj fair
danes. And as to what you found in
thus fol.Owing-or was it in fleeing
your Divinity"
Il found many things. For one
that this America is the greatest conn
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 a Jest
by qualifying / beseech you. En-.
gland or France indeed Monsieur
Las. Monsieur Las"
Your own city of New Orleans. sire.
viii lie al 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
the regent we have not had so much
OF returns after all Look at Crozat?
Look at"
''Oh fe. Crozat' Your grace. he
solved not the first problem OF real
commerce. lie never dreamed the real
richness Of America"
Philippe sat thoughtful. his finger
tips together why have we not
heard Of these things?' said he.
Because Of men like Crozat. OF men
IKE your governors and intendants at
QUEBEC. Because, your grace, as You
know very well, Of the same reason
which sent me once from Paris. and
Kept me 10 long from laying before
you these very plans of which I now
would speak"
And that cause?"
"Maintenon."
Oh ali! lndeed-that is TO say"
Louis would hear naught Of me. of
course. Maintenon took care that 40
Ahould find ] Was but hereto"