Evening star., 1914-04-19
i-5,n the painting by Me;sscn;er

IN the painting ny MeiSson'ef-
emperor had arrived and sought audience
with him.
by this time there were again only
three-tor Mar.nont. almost choked with
KNOWLEDGE OF his guilt. not knowing
what might happen. had sneaked AVA
to remain secluded in Neys residence
and await results. As was natural ui-
der al the surrounding circumstances.
Cauiineourt acted representative OF
the emperor and AS spokesman
As Cauiin court proceeded with master
ful argument to unfold the situation.
-AleNaEder's doubts increased to the
wisdom of a Bourbon restoration. France
as a nation. and not only her army still
undivided and loyal. desired, yes pracu-
cally demanded the regency. The troops
and the aopulacc We're at one in this. and
as he listened the ear realized that his
own purposes for Russia would better b.
served by regeriCy than by n Bourbon
restoration 20" two hours the conference
lasted. and tho ear listened. while the
ambassadors especially impressed upon
Alexander the monlentoEs fact that Ma
poleons troops were still loEal to the
empire. still mistaken. aud never to be
won over.
AT this moment at nearly o'clock in
the morning. an aid-decan:p suddenly
entered. and at a sign from the car
smoke a few sentences IN Russian. over
The cars fac; ittted IN EXPRESSION of
'aalazc:rent. He ordered tne aid TO
peat what ne had Jus; said. Then the
CLdi ttTtifaI "a lliflCpiI1. anu Mac
donald.
Gentlemen. he said III grave tones,
YOU base your claim "n the unsha,len at
tachI.ient OF the army to the imperial
government The vanguard of Napoleon
army has Just deserted. 1t is at this
moment within our lines.
TIE appalling nerss was tri:e. Twelve
thousand men. with munitions and sup
plies. thc entire 9Th Corps. were prisoners
within ihe Austrian lines. They had
been deceived by Macniont wno led them
straight to their caQtare during a mid
night march. when he tod them thev
were going TO fight beside the -Austrians
in defense OF the empire.
Convinced OF the truth. Macdonald and
Cauiincour; and Ney withdrew. They
mad no further argument to make The
entire 9th Corss deserted and gone over
to tne enemy.
They departed in silence. the czar. not
without embarrassment, promising TO send
them an answer on tine MORROW 10 their
petition for regency. PiIt what that
answer would he ali now ;.uey. Aarmon;
WAS present when the an baSSadors passed
from the presence of the czar They
walked by him in dignity. and without a
glance OF recognition.
Realizing even better than his ambassa-
dors how far the spirit of dsioyalty and
intrigue had spread how many of his
great generals We're turning against him.
ard how deep was the popular feeling
that any thing was better than a con-
tieu;,lct Of war. Napoleon Iroia bly, had
little real hsps that Alexander would ac-
cept his oft-- TO apdic;iIe. coupled with
the CONDITION Of establishing the empress
regency. IS soon re had signed the
paper .4!.i delivered il into tn, hands OF
his ambassadors. tiddln., them 10 proceed
to the car Naroleor lost 40 time in pre-
pairing for All outcome based on The cars
refusal OF his proposition.
Without loss OF aa hour. he sent cou-
rier speeding away with dispatches ad-
dressed 10 the empress. requesting her 10
have Chsmpagny starr at once for Dilon
in the capacity of ambassador 10 ask
assistance and advice from her father
He called a council Of war April I. in
forming his officers of tEe battie which he
believed 10 be impending: but as the coun-
ell was being brought to close word
came from Essones of Marmonts treach-
cry
Even this did not dauI.. hi;l. The next
morning he reviewed the ve;erJrs from
Spain. and fcv hoars later SET IA mo
tion the machinery which woIld mass be-
yo7,d the Loire that par of his army
whici! remained in hand anu rally II
about the seat of imperial government
But before he retired to rest t2ullncourt
aud Macdonald and .Ney arrived from
paris alexander had refuse! 20 accept
the ;,Duica ton: the senate was on the
&C. of proc.aiirins Louis XVIII. and for
the, remainder Of his days Napoleon was
to lie monarch oyer Eliza.
For six ,ears or more Napoleon had
worn aLout his neck small bag said to
contain prussic acid or other deadly pol
son of like nature. and during the night
after lie bad learned OF -AleXaHder's re-
fusal. based OF Marrnonts treachery.
Napoleon opened the little bag and swal-
lowed its contents.
Whether the poison had los; it's
strength or whether Napoleon failed Ia
swallow ali o. it, is rot known: but in
stead of bringing death the drug threw
him into agony. His valet summoned
the emperor's attending physician, who
administered antidote.
The next morning Napoleon appeared.
Continued on Ninth PaseD