River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-12-18

clapping on his hat and struggling
into his overcoat, he hurried down the
stairs of Gabriel's and took a taxi
cab to the corner of the Boulevard
Richepin. Arrived there, he dismissed
the vehicle and proceeded afoot to.
ward the cafe reaching it just as
clock pealed the hour Of twelve in
announcement to twenty other clocks,
which solemnly took up the sound.
The Cafe Celestiel was brilliant
with lights and gay with diners. Men
in evening dress and women in mag
nificent gowns, set off with flashing
jewels, moved restfessly among those
seated, or seated themselves, slipped
their liquors and chartered incessant-
ly, while over the buzz of converse
ton rang out the lively strains Of
music. Paul, standing at the en-
trance. let his eyes wander over the
throng. He scanned each face, but
he did not detect that of Clothilde.
He noticed however, that though
apparently engrossed In their own af-
fairs, each couple looked furtively
eyes were more or less directed,
while he could hear low EXPLANATIONS
of establishment among those nearest
him. Following these chances, Paul
suddenly found himself staring at a
lad of about seventeen or eighteen
years who, seated beside loudly
dressed woman, evidently an actress,
was indulging In hilarious laughter
due quite as much to wine as to
amusement Paul looked harder and
then gasped in establishment. This
was Prince Edward. There was no
mistaking that trim coat, of English
cut, those patent leather shoes, top
very cane with dogs head, all of
which had been familiarized to the
ParisianS through newspaper draw
ings and cartoons. And the woman
was-Gabrielle de Soucy, the noto-
riOus actress whose indiscretions had
formed the staple of Paris gossip ever
since she entangled the ex-king of
Portugal in her clutches and released
him several thousand pounds the
poorer
But it Is indiscreet!" he heard a
woman near him murmur to his com
panion. ITO princes much is forgiv-
en-but to parade himself thus. here."
OH" murmured the man, rolling
up his eyebrows in affected horror,
"if his royal mother knew-that Puri-
tan lady of England! Mon Dieu!
Doubtless she thinks he is asleep in
his bed at this hour"
The marquis, his guardian, must be
stark. raving mad to allow this" ex-
claimed the woman again
Paul's eye caught that of the
prince. He detected a distinct mes.
sage in it. He moved toward the
young fellow puzzled, wondering;
something in that glance made him
dimly aware that he had seen him in
the flesh, knew him.
1t was the Princess CIothilde. mas
querading in the princes clothes,
The shock Of the discovery stupe-
fed Paul. Quite quietly he sat down
into the chair which the princess in
Dictated to him. He saw the looks of
the diners fixed on him; he felt
amazed, helpless, out of his depth.
But the pseudo-prince was talking
more hilariously than ever, and the
actress. apparently believing Paul to
be one of the princes friends, had al
ready transfiXed him with her Ian
gushing glances
mo. no. hiccoughed the prince,
catching the glance. mo, he is not
for you. my dear Gabrielle. This is
a particular friend of mine, with
whom ] have an important engage
ment. You will pardon me if | leave
you for one moment?"
20, certainly" murmured Gabrielle.
not in the most friendly tone. Evi-
IDENTIFY she suspected Paul OF being
an agent of the marquis, he thought.
Then slipping out of the chair,
Clothilde plucked Paul by the arm
and motioned to him to follow into a
dimly lighted corner, a little apart
from the crowd She sat down at a
small table and Paul took his seat at
her side.
"Clothilde. what folly is this?" he
began harshly. ITO masquerade In
public while"
Hush. PAUL." she answered. and
suddenly he perceived that there was
a depth Of passionate emotion under
the feigned merriment. Paul, when
| told YOU that | was resolved to leave
the league. I told you also that | must
first work out my destiny. until l had
crushed the league or till it had
crushed me. Won Holzrath knows that
am no longer an enthusiast in his
cause. He offered me the choice be-
tween furthering his schemes and
ruin. l pretended to obey him; Sc
cretly | sent a message to Lord Tres
ham. making an appointment for you
to meet me here. for had heard you
were in Paris Now listen. Paul:
They mean no harm to the prince.
They want to set France and Eng
land by the ears-and what easier
than TO make England think that the
young prince. who is model of
decorum, has fallen into evil ways
and that the Marquis de Breteuil has
been unfaithful TO his trust? They
know that King George and Queen
Mary arrived incognito in Paris this
afternoon to see their son. So they
have kidnapped him for a few hours,
meaning that l shall play his part
with Gabrielle de Soucy in public.
Tomorrow, when the prince is releas-
ed. his story of kidnapping will be
-
to England Immediately, and public
II,