The Washington herald., 1914-07-19

Then il was your mother, the count
ess. who presented II for you. When
YOU write to her tell her that 1t is re-
fused.
1t was that you be appointed as pre-
bendary OF cathedral Prince Eugene OF
Savoie leads too worldly a life to become
an ecclesiastic. Bullies are not apt TO
distinguish themselves in the church"
Sire" replied Eugene. Il thank your
majesty for those words: for they re-
lease me from further obligations TO en-
ter a career for which l have neither
inclination or vocation"
Louis scowled and passed on. The
King mad frowned! The courtiers shrank
away from Prince Eugene as If he had
been infected with the smallpox. They
did not dare even to look at him and he
moodily walked 10 the embrasure OF a
window and looked out at the gIittering
throng.
An Enchanting Vision.
He glanced across the glorious hall 10
where was sitting in a chair OF state
the Kings sister-in-law. the Duchess OF
Orleans, a German princess renowned
for her high character. her intrepid cour-
age, and her many virtues.
And by her chair stood the most en-
chanting vision upon which his eyes had
ever rested. She was hardly a girl Of
sixteen. but tall and perfectly formed.
Her ivory skin was suffused with q
healthy tinge OF pink-a delicate pink.
which deepened upon her oval cheeks.
Her hair was Of a light auburn and her
eyes were dark and lustrous. Innocence.
youth, health. seemed to hang like a
halo about her.
In that first glance Eugenes destiny
OF love was fixed. She was Laura de
Louvois. the half-sister Of Barbesieur,
who had inherited from her grandmother.
who had brought her up, the title of
Marchioness de Bonnelatta and a great
estate
The Venetian Ambassador. the Mar
quis de Strozzi was madly in love with
her. and LouvoIs was in favor Of Laura
marrying the marquis. Barbesieur had
arranged the match.
The conditions were that when StroZzi
had married Laura, Barhesieur was TO
have her estates. But Laura had re-
piled with spirit that rather than marry
the Marquis de Strozzi, she would take
the veil.
Awaiting a Hero.
She said to her patroness, the Duchess
Of Orleans. whose maid OF honor she
was. Il have seen no man that ap-
proaches my ideal Of the hero of my
dreams. But should he ever come out
have pictured him-then. o then, l should
follow the destiny of woman.
Were II love, the whole world would
recede from view, leaving the space filled
with the Image Of the man ! loved Bet
ter he should never come down from the
moon-for II he comes I am lost"
And the duchess had kissed her and
laughed at her for sentimental girl.
And now tonight. in the royal halls,
fo11nUnh her Whan she moved
about and glanced with admiration every
now and then toward her as she stood by
the chair OF the duchess.
The King himself led Laura out to
dance, while the eyes Of Maintenon filled
with pious tears. Montespan gnashed
her teeth with rage. and that pale shad-
ow Of royalty, the Queen, looked list
lessly. yet enviously on.
When after the dance Laura had re-
sumed her place beside the chair of the
duchess she inclined her head and said
in a low voice:
Pardon me. your royal highness. but
can you tell me who that young cava-
lier is who stands in the recess Of the
window opposite?'
To RePnir n Wrong.
That is Prince Eugene of Savoie,"
replied the duchess. lone whom all cour-
tiers avoid tonight-for he has fallen into
disfavor with your father and the King"
Prince Eugene?" said Laura; he who
laid his whip over the shoulders Of Bar
besieur this morning."
YES, the same"
''I am ashamed that my family should
bring disgrace upon the noble Prines, Of
5avoie. 1 will repair the wrong in the
presence Of the court"
Rash girl, take care. Why, I really /
believe you are ready to 60 up and give
the cavalier a kiss" said the duchess
with a little laugh.
Perhaps 1 am" answered Laura.
Suddenly the two women looked up TO |
zee the Prince Of savoie standing direct
y before them.