Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-25
The Great Secret

| Government resigns. | march boldly into Paris
at the head of the army, and, behold! it is
finished The people are at my feet the crown
is on my head. Not drop of blood has been
spilled, but war is averted and great new
alliance is formed. France takes once more
her place among the great nations of the world. !"
Monsieur, | said quietly, You have
spoken we'll and convincingly. Pardon my
| presumption, if l venture to ask you one ques-
ton. The Power of which you have spoken
| is it England"
| He faced me bravely enough. Sir" he
said. "you ask question which YOU know we'll
it is impossible that should answer. 1t is not
| for to betray a confidence such this.
| But to those who are curious, would say this:
Which is the Power, think you, most likely to
| play such magnificent such a generous, part
| in the history of the nations? Answer your
| own question, Mr.. Courage. 1t should not be
an impossible task"
Six women leaned forward in their places and
looked at me with flashing eyes. 1t was suit
| able triumph for de Valentin. And yet knew
now all that desired Dimly began to under
stand the Great Plot, and all that it meant.
Van Reinburg looked across the table.
"Well, Stern3" he asked.
my husbands check is ready the woman
at his side answered quickly. 81 guess the
Prince can have it right now, if he chooses"
And mine!" five other women declared
almost in breath
Van Reinberg smiled. Then | guess the
deal is fixed" he remarked.
A dark haired little woman, sitting at my
right hand, leaned forward toward de Valentin.
She wore magnificent crown of diamonds and
sapphires which had once graced royal head,
and a collar of diamonds which was famous
throughout the world. "Pd like to know" she
said, are we to choose Our own titles! I've
fixed on the one want.
De Valentin rose in his place. "My dear
lady," he said, that would not be possible.
To Mrs. Van Reinberg alone l have been able
to offer the name she desired. That, think,
| IT.
Mrs. Van Reinberg that you are all here
tonight. For the rest, | have taken five of
the great names of France, of whom to-day
there are no direct descendants. 1t is for your
selves to say how these shall be allotted"
Five women looked at one another little
doubtfully.
Van Reinberg glanced at me, and there was
a shrewd twinkle in his eyes. AZ should think
YOU had better draw for Them" he suggested.
q Mr.. de Valentin write down the names on
| pieces of paper, and Mr.. Courage, as disin-
| terested party, can hold the hat"
My neighbor in the diamonds was still a
little disturbed. "Say," she inquired, what
do these titles amount to-, anyway What
shall we be able to call ourselves?"
| Either Madame la Comtesse or Madame la
| Marquise," de Valentin answered.
Madame la Marquise," she repeated
that's the one l should like
$50 should III nearly all the women de-
clared in unison.
De Valentin bowed. eff everyone is agree
| able" he said stiffiy, drawing sheet of note
paper toward him and beginning to write
| He completed his task, and handed the
slips of paper to me. Il shall ask Mr.. Cour-
| age" he said, rising Ito distribute these
| through the agency of chance. For myself, |
will, with your permission, retire -! will only
say this to you, ladies, and to my friends.
hope and believe that it will not be long before
l shall have the pleasure of meeting you under
very different circumstances. You will be very
welcome to the court of France"
So de Vaentin left the room a little abruptly
and thought it the most graceful thing he had
done. | shook up the slips of paper which he
had given me in hat, and handed them round
| There was an intense silence and then per-
| feet babel of EXPLANATIONS.
"Marquise de Lafoudre. Ny isn't that fne!"
"Comtesse de St. Estien! Well, | declared
"Comtesse de Vinoy! Great isn't it,"
Mrs. Van Reinberg smiled upon them ALL the
well satisfied smile of one whose guerdon is
deservedly greater than these.
The little dark woman turned toward her
| abruptly. Tell us yours, Edith she ex-
claimed. Don't say you Prncess"
Mrs. Van Reinberg shook her head; uncon-
sciously her manner was already little
changed. She was, after all, swan among
these geese 1--WE are to have the Duchy of
| Annonay," she answered. g suppose l shall
be Madame la Duchesse."
Monsieur lie Due touched me on the shoulder
"Here!" he exclaimed in my ear. Doesn't it
| m aLye Won thirctv2n