The Washington herald., 1913-01-19

Venus" said De Richelieu as De Joy.
euse placed the footstool.
"Oh, Monsieur" sighed the comtesse
''the earth was not fiat like footstoo
in the days of that seraphic lady
] though fiat it is to-day-hat, stale, and
improbable :.
And what has stalled it, Madame !?
asked De Joyeuse in voice of mock
commiseration.
Il have had loss, alas! that you
alone can replace, Monsieur"
"A 1oss?"
81 have lost my monkey Dear De
Sartines, | am hungry, and the wit oi
these gentlemen is not satisfying.
MADAME, l expect Immediately
Madame de Stenlis.'
"Oh, De Stenlis! They say at the
character dance given by Monsieur de
Duras the other day she could neither
eat nor smile"
"She had lost her heart, then
mo, Monsieur she had remember
ed her character"
Again the door flew open.
Madame de Stenlis."
Am / late?" cried the newcomer
Dear Monsieur de Richelieu, forgive
me. Monsieur de Joyeuse, good morn
ing. Monsieur de Sartines, you may
kiss my hand if you will promise no,
to bite it with a compliment Chere
Celestne-" the confess arose and the
| two women embraced. You are look
ing younger than ever"
"And you too, dearest Marguerite
We were just saying how well you
kept your years. But Monsieur dc
Richelieu is not your host. Monsieur
de Sartines il is who has sent US in
vitations in Monsieur de Richelieu's
name-quite a charming idea, though
! don't know the meaning of IT in the
least-only that it sounds like a con-
spiracy."
Madame de Stenlis turned to the
marechal
Sounds like a conspiracy? Why. j,
is one. Well, Monsieur de Richelieu
now that you have inveigled me here
to be the guest of Monsieur de Sar-
tines, what have you to say for your
self?"
Only this. Madame, that lady in.
! vited herself to my house to-day. and
as ! cannot receive her | have asked
Monsieur de Sartines to play the part
of host"
And who is this lady, pray?"
"Madame la Baronne Linden"
Then. Monsieur" declared Madame
de Stenlis, IF that lady is to be oi
your party to-day. l for one shall re-
tire"
81. also" said Madame d'Harlan-
court. rising from her chair.
patience. Madame" said the mare.
chal. Look at Monsieur de Sartine.'
De Sartincs was smiling.
Pray take your seat, Madame, said
he This woman has invited herself
, to the house OF Monsieur de Richelieu
only to be received by the minister of
police. who has her warrant OF arrest
already prepared and in his pocket"
"Oh. ma fol how funny cried
Madame de Stenlis. clapping her hands
De Joyeuse. who had turned white al
the name OF the woman who had
douched him with water the day be
fore, flushed with excitement at De
Sartines' words.
At that moment a servant entered
with the announcement that Beaure-
gard had arrived, and De Sartines, ex-
cusing himself. went out for a mo-
WI IOluihSu hN AONhN -
guests all grouped around the mareehsl
chattering and cross-questioning him
There was an air of hilarity about
them that might have been the refec-
ton of the grim satisfaction shown by
the face of De Sartines as he entered
the room.
The trap is set said De Sartincs,
1--WE only wait now for the mouse,
who. by the way, is late. Never mind,
we shall certainly not wait dejeuner."
A single stroke from the great clock
in the courtyard announced half past
twelve. and the last vibration had
scarcely died away when the great
doors dividing the reception from the
dining-room opened wide, disclosing
the portly form Of the major-domo. and
behind him the crystal. snow, and flow.
ers of the service, the lackeys rigid
behind each chair. and the gallery
where the musicians sat, with its carv-
ings of oak that so well matched the
tapestried walls With the opening OF
the doors came the murmur of violins
and the voice of the majordomo
T l.. s.~x,al "