Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-04-07

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 beneaths the caress of mistress or the wiles of crafty minister. yet the most polished voluptuary of his court; shrewd almost to cunning in his coun- try's diplomacy, yet blinded by an egotism SO great that were his bitter est enemy also an accomplished flat terer, he and that enemy would be friends ere sundown.
 He was clad in a rich velvet coat with amazingly wide skirts; brocaded l waistcoat reaching halfway to the knee; satin small-clothes and silk 1 stockings; silver-buckled shoes that came nearly up to the ankle, with red , heels four inches high; an immense wig, covered with flour, upon his head; a three-cornered cockaded hat, gold headed cane, and diamond-hilted ! sword He endeavored to move with i dignity, but he walked with 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 i his favorite, who was ready with a smile to greet him, when he suddenly stopped before one of the company who was clad in the prevailing mode, 1 l. @1I ~f I,t1 &r 11 in strange contrast with the peacock colors all about him, while large bands of crape about the arms and stockings made him prominent figure amid | the otherwise brightly gay throng. He vas the husband of Madame de Montespan.
 The king drowned Why all this dark array and black looks, marquis? For whom have you donned 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. The king flushed, bit his lip, then without word turned upon 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
 q fear the royal temper will not be greatly sweetened by this incident" remarked the former dryly.
 "Pardieu! like the marquis cour- age," exclaimed Tonti by way of reply They had waited but few minutes were called. They entered the kings cabinet and found him seated at long table filtered with papers; near by sat his Minister Colbert, while in a windows embrasure on the further side of the room stood the minister's secretary with his back to the rest of the company, gazing out upon the street.
 La Salle and Tonti advanced and stood at respectful distance. All look of annoyance had left the kings face as he addressed them '~'-'' | brought your lieutenant with you for his commission recollect him well Twas he that displayed such gal lantry in the Sicilian campaign. l 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"
 I c;r Tor,{S'c ply in a deprecating tone. "The knowledge of your appreciation of my efforts to serve your majesty, together with the captaincy and the 300 livres l received, are ample rewards"
 Louis looked at the speaker sharply, as if to determine whether the irony he fancied he detected in the last words were real or not
 There were other rewards given him which he has forgotten to men, tion." said Colbert. in a hesitating tone. "Tt is not usual for foreign off, cers to occupy the responsible posi- tions in the royal forces that he has held. That of itself ought to be dis tinction enough. Your majesty has just asked me for my humble opinion as to the brave capitaine's commits sion. Like all of my opinions. it would be worthless, but should not recom- mend the signing of it."
 Under the cloak of humility. the willy minister threw such a tone of meaning that Louis instantly demand cd his reason.
 "A thoroughly selfish one, sire, but natural in one devoted to your inter ests. Have We, too, many officers whom you can tsust as you do this brave Italian? Would you not. in your anxiety to please the Sieur de la Sale, be robbing yourself? Could not so gall lant a soldier best serve the king by remaining in France? War is again imminent. and it will not be long ere the Capitaine Tonti will have another chance to perform other gallant deeds and reap rich rewards"
 The king seemed struck by the argu- ment advocated: the more so as it ap- pealed 10 the selfish side of his na- ture. He bit the end of his pen a mo- ment. then throwing it down before him on the table and pushing the com mission to one side, he turned to Tonti True words indeed" he said. and ones that but echo my own thoughts. We have need of strong arms. clear heads. and loyal hearts in our service. We think. on the whole. Cfofrr Eo Ia Co1Ia Eot Ind