Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1915-10-21

A SCANDAL AT THE ELYSEE

ChronicIed BY ALLEN UPWARD

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instructions The next morning a new
bouquet of lilies, even more elegant
than the former two, rewarded the
impatience of the marshal. But the
page was unable to crafty his curl
osity with any fresh details with re-
gard to the mysterious donor.
Thus repulsed, the president was
compelled to stfle his eagerness, and
to await the pleasure of the fair un.
known. The following two days saw
the Offering Of the bouquet renewed
In the same manner, but on the third
morning MacMahon's hopes were
reused to the highest pitch by the de-
lection of tiny piece of paper Sc
creted among the bells Of the flowers.
He snatched it forth, and deciphered
with some difficulty the perfect but
microscopic penmanship:
"Why do you not wear my flow-
ers?'
This was the whole message. But,
laconic as it was, the marshal per-
ceived that it contained promise Of
something more. 1t was evident that
these lilies were to be regarded as
signal of communication, and that his
obedience to the hint conveyed in the
note would be taken as an evidence
of his wish to crafty the unknown.
Every day, towards four o'clock, 1t
was the custom for the president to
drive out in public to the Bois de
Boulogne, where his carriage led the
procession of fashion around the ia
nous lake On this afternoon Mac
Mahon drove forth as usual, but it
was observed that, contrary to his
usual habit, the president wore In the
buttonhole Of his coat superb bou-
quet of flowers, which completely con-
cealed his Grand Cross of the Legion
of Honor.
He had rounded the lake for the last
time, and was preparing to return
home, when he saw a small but hand
some carriage approaching, drawn by
single horse, in which lady closely
yelled was seated by herself. The
panels of the carriage displayed no
crest, and there was nothing distinc-
tive about the livery Of the coachman.
AS she came opposite the presidential
equipage. the occupant Of the carriage
raised small bunch of flowers, CORE
spending to that worn by the gallant
marshal. in her hand, as though to in
hale their fragrance. The president
started forward on his seat and at
the same moment the lady turned her
head slightly, and allowed him to per-
ceive that she was imprinting kiss
on her bouquet. Before he could re-
spond, or do anything further to chal-
lenge her attention, the two carriages
had passed each other, and the lady
of the lilies was lost to view.
THE following morning he received
another bouquet, to which morsel OF
paper was attached, inscribed with
the one word-'Thanks!
Encouraged by so much, the presi-
dent again wore his flowers during the
afternoon drive; but this time he was
better prepared, and the moment the
carriage of the unknown appeared In
sight he detached his lilies from his
buttonhole, and raised them to his lips
with eagerness as she came opposite
to him. He was rewarded by faint
but perceptible bow from the lady,
who had drawn her veil far enough
to disclose a chin Of exquisite delica-
cy, and lips of perfect shape and
redness.
1T was with the most intense eager
ness that the president descended to
breakfast on the following morning.
He had presentiment that the affair
was about to take a more practical
turn, and he was not deceived. Ac-
companying the flowers which again
adorned his plate, there was note, ex.
quisitely scented, and sealed with the
impression of dove bearing an olive
leaf in its beak.
"Dismissing his attendants, lest they
should observe his agitation, the mar
shal cut open the missiye with the
utmost care. and read the contents:
"If you care to accept my flowers
from my own hand, let your page
bring to me key to the small gate
of the Elysee gardens; and expect
me tomorrow night at ten. / con.
fide in the honor of an officer Of
France
That was all; but 1t was enough.
Overcome with joy at the prospect OF
soon meeting and conversing with the
siren who had bewitched him from a
distance, the marshal took care to
procure the desired key, which he
entrusted to the page with the nee
essary instructions.
You will not expect me to enter
into the details of this meeting. On
her arrival the lady again wore veil,
but in response to the pressing solicit
tations of MacMahon she at length
consented to lift it so far as to dis.
close the lower half of her face, the
charms of which more than fulfilled
the expectations of the enamored mar
shall
I'M. lie Marechal, she said, address
ing him by his military title, instead
of as chief of the republic, although
the steps which have taken to obtain
this interview may wear a romantic
aspect, | beg you to believe that l
have some serious reasons for wishing
to converse with you
"'Nov madam oisallo, rafurpad tho