Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1913-12-19


Rlchepin-a famous haunt of actors
ana soubrettes. She sent me this
message half an hour before the club
convened. 1t was something of an
ordeal to keep all knowledge of This
AFFAIR from King George, as YOU may
Wei imagine. Now the best thing
you can do will be to follow I'D this
clue. l rely implicitly in you, Paul
only remember Prince Edward must
be found by daybreak and restored to
the house of the marquis before his
father and mother get wind of the
affair"
Paul did not delay moment. but.
clapping on his hat and struggling
into his overcoat, he hurried down the
stairs of Gabriers and took 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 a
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 rest1essly among those
seated, ~or, seated themselves, slipped
their liquors and chartered incessant-
ly, while over the buzz of conversa-
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
toward one central focus, on which all
eyes were more or less directed,
while he could hear low EXPLANATIONS
Of establishment among those nearest
him. Following these glances, Paul
suddenly found himself staring at
lad of about seventeen or eighteen
years who, seated beside a 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
installing that trim coat, of English
cut, those patent leather shoes, top
ped with the white spats, and the
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.
'sBut 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!'
sOh!" murmured the man, rolling
up his eyebrows in affected horror,
eff 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.
It was the Princess Clothilde, 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 # ! leave
you for one moment
80. 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
dimly lighted corner, little apart
from the crowd She sat down at
small table and Paul took his seat at
her side.
aClothilde. what folly is this" ne
began harshly. ITO masquerade IN
public while
"Hush. PAUL" she answered, ana
suddenly he perceived that there was
depth of passionate emotion unoer
tbe feigned merriment. Paul, when
7 told you that l was resolved to leave
Tho league I told you also that ! must