Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1905-12-27

1rlend from ltaly, the idnu Oh romance
and beauty
Tonti. to whom these remarks were
addressed. replied:
"a soldier, though from Italy, has
scant time to FORM opinions on sub
jects that belong to the domain Of the
court. Although as to marriage" he
added, with a smile and twinkle of the
eye, 81 seem to remember a saying
We have in Tuscany: Before going
TO war say prayer; before going to
sea, say two prayers; before marry
ing. say three.
burst of laughter from the group
greeted this reply, but before anything
else was said whisper passed about
the room, The KING" and In a mo-
ment the crowd surrounding his ia
vorite had parted, leaving an open
way, down which he passed.
Before them all he stood, the chief
puppet OF the play; backed by the
strength OF armies whose advance
meant destruction, yet weak as water
beneath the caress of a mistress or
the wiles of crafty minister, yet the
most polished voluptuary of his court;
try's diplomacy, yet blinded by an
eSotism so great that were his bitter
est enemy also an accomplished fiat
terer. he and that enemy would be
friends ere SHUTDOWN
He was clad in a rich velvet coat
with amazingly wide skirts; brocaded
| waistcoat reaching halfway to the
knee: satin small-clothes and silk
stockings; silver-buckied shoes that
came nearly up 10 the ankle, with red
heels four inches high; an immense
wig, covered with -four, upon his head;
| three-cornered cockaded hat, gold
headed cane, and diamond-hilted
sword. He endeavored to move with
dignity, but he walked with a strut,
elbows sticking out, rolling eyes, and
out-turned toes. A king indeed he
was, yet at once the strongest, weak
est, grandest, most ridiculous monarch
of all Europe.
He had advanced halfway toward
his favorite, who was ready with
smile to greet him, when he suddenly
stopped before one of the company
who was clad In the prevailing mode,
but all OF his garments were black,
in strange contrast with the peacock
| colors all about him. while large bands
OF Grape about the arms and stockings
made him prominent figure amid
the otherwise brightly gay thror e
He was the husband Of Madame de
MOntespan
The king frowned why ali this
dark array and black looks. MARC lis ?
For whom have you dopned such
heavy Mourning" he demanded
For my wife" was the reply. as the
man gazed steadily into the eyes of
Louis and then looked at Madame de
Montespan, who was turning white
with anger. TIL: king flushed, bit his
his heel. and, walking to the door
leading TO his cabinet, disappeared.
La Sale and Tonti moved toward
the door as the company, except those
who had appointments with the king.
| began to disperse.
Il fear the royal temper will not be
greatly sweetened by this incident. D."
| remarked the former dryly.
"Pardieu. | like the marquis cour-
| age" exclaimed Tonti by way of reply.
They had waited but a f.W minutes
when the door opened and their names
were called. They entered the kings
cabinet and found him seated at a
long table Uttered with papers; near
by sat his Minister Colbert. while in
n windows embrasure on the further
side of the room stood the minister's
secretary with his back tn the rest of
the company, gazing ont upon the
street
La Sale and Tonti advanced and
stood at respectful distance. All
look OF annoyance had left the kings
face as he addressed them.
so, Sieur de la Sale, you have
brought your lieutenant with you for
his commission. recollect him well
Twas he that displayed such gal
lantry In the Sicilian campaign.
have also heard the story Of his iron
hand; brave deed bravely done. Also
of his actions before Messina. his i'm
prisonment and all"
Ills naught, sire" was Tontis re-
ply in deprecating tone. "The
knowledge of your appreciation of my
win the captaincy and the 800 Hvres
| received. are ample rewards"
Louis looked at the speaker sharply.
as II to determine whether the irony
lie fancied ne detected in the last
words were real or not.
There were other rewt rds given
him which he has forgotten 10 men
tcn.' said Colbert IN a hesitatinz
tone. 1T Is not usual for foreign Off.
GERS to occupy the responsible posi-
tons in the royal forces thai he has
held. That of itself ought 10 be dis
unction enough. Your majesty has
Just asked me for my humble opinion
as to tho brave capitaine'g commits
sion. Libs all of my opinions. IL would
De worth ess, but I should not recon-
ct,