Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1904-12-02
CHAPTER XvII.-(Continusdl

an attempt to rise from the chair, but
1t seemed as il her strength failed her,
and she sank back, forced to listen TO the
end.
Finally, ladies and gentlemen" con-
timed the clown. the richly stored
jewel cases became empty. The day
came when the mandarine had nothing
more to give. 1t was then that the
young scoundrel conceived the project of
carrying off the jasper button belonging
to the Mandarine Li-Fo, which was kept
in a granite chest. All! the mandarine
resisted a long time. But her lover be-
sought her so tenderly that she finally
yielded to his entreaties; and-the Jasper
button was stolen. The fourth picture
represents the guilty couple stealthily
creeping down the private stairway; see
their frightened looE-see-"
He abruptly stopped. Three or four
of his auditors rushed to the assistance
of Nine. Fauvel, who seemed about to
faint, and at the same time he felt his
arm roughly seized by some one behind
him. He turned round and faced De
Clameran and Lagors, both Of whom
were pale with anger.
What do you want, gentlemen" he
inquired, politely.
'To speak to you." they both answer
ed.
picture gallery, near a window opening
in a balcony.
The sudden faintness of Nine. Fauvel
had passed off unnoticed save by few,
who attributed it to the heat of the
room. NJ. Fauvel had been sent for, but
when he came hurrying in, he found his
wife composedly talking to Madeleine.
Not having as much control over his
temper as Raoul, M. de Clameran an
grily Said:
"In the first place. monsieur, | woul1
like to know who you are"
"You want my passport, do you, my
lord doge? l left it in the hands of the
city authorities; it contains my name,
age, profession, domicile and every de-
tail"
"You have just committed gross in
suit! What do you mean by telling this
abominable story in this house2"
"Abominable! You may call it abom-
Unable, but l. who composed it, have
different opinion Of it"
Enough, monsieur; you will at least
have the courage to acknowledge that
your performance was a vile insinuation
against M. Fauvel?
"Bless my hearth cried the clown, as
if speaking to himself. "This Is the
strangest thing l ever heard Of How
can my drama of the Mandarin Li-Fo
have any reference to Nj. Fauvel, whom
/ don't know from Adam or Eve?"
"Do you PRETEND" said M. de Clam
eran, 'to be ignorant of nj. Fauvefs
misfortuneT
"Ah, yes, yes, I remember. His cash
ier ran off with three hundred and fifty
thousand francs. Pshaw! 1t is a thing
that almost daily happens. But as to
discovering any connection between this
robbery and my play, that is another
matter. If, unintentionally. | have Of
Tended the wife of a man whom l highly
esteem, it is his business to seek redress.
Perhaps you will tell me he is too old
tn demand satisfaction; if so, let him
sent one of his sons. You asked me who
am; in return l ask you who you are
you who undertake to act as Madame
Fauvel's champion? Are you her relh-
tive, friend or ally? What right have
you to insult her by pretending to dis
cover an allusion to her in a play invent
ed for amusementg"
There was nothing to be said in reply
to this. Nj. de Clameran sought a means
OF escape.
az am friend Of NJ. Fauvel" he
said, "and this title gives me the righ
to be MS jealous of his reputation as Il
1t were my own. If this is not a suffi
cient reason for my interference, l mus
inform you that his family will shortl!
he mine; regard myself as his nephew
Next week, monsieur, my marriage viii
Mile. Madeleine will be publicly an
nounced."
This news was so unexpected, s.
startling, that for moment the Glow
was dumb; and now his surprise wa
genuine But he soon recovered him
self, and, bowling with Difference. said
with covert irony:
Permit me to offer my congratulG
tions, monsieur. Besides, being the bell
tonight, Mile. Madeleine is worth.
hear. half million"
Raoul de Lagors had anxiously bee
watching the people near them, to sc
if they overheard this conversation.
awe have had enough of this go
sip" he said, in disdainful tone;
will only say one thing more, Mastt
Clown, and that is that your tongue
too long"
"Perhaps it is, my pretty youth, pc
haps it is; but my arm is still longer"
De Clameran here interrupted them
saying:
at is impossible for one to seek {
explanation from man who concea
his identity under the guise of fool"
"You are at liberty, my lord doge,
ask the master of the house who | a
If you dare"
The clown stood by with sardon
smile. and after a moments silence sta
ed Clameran steadily in the face, al
in measured tones said:
81 was the best friend, monsieur, til