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


will you not indulge me SO far as to
say Henri w? Remember that to
me he is the king of France
LAS your king, mademoiselle, he is
certainly worthy of his title answered
TIE marshal discreetly.
81 accept the compromise. But to
return to our lilies; must tell the
king that l have failed to reconcile
you to my flower?'
THE marshal temporized.
"'You appear to be very much inter
ested in your king he said with a
slight accent of reproach. Henri v
is indeed fortunate to have inspired
SO much devotion in his emissary.'
"A gay smile became visible be-
meath the veil, and reassured the mar
shall.
"'Do not mistake my feelings for
the king, entreat you,' said the girl,
and she lifted the obnoxious veil as
II to let him read her sincerity in her
beautiful eyes. I love no one-except
him who wears my lilies!'
"Enraptured by this confession, the
president made a movement to seize
her hand. Instantly her manner under
went provoking change; she drew
herself up haughtily, and said, in fresz-
Ing tones:
Pardon, monsieur, but you forget
that l am your guest!'
"Abashed, in spite OF his age and ex-
perience of the sex, the gallant mar
shall shrank back, and answered re-
spectfully:
"'It is you who must pardon the
enthusiasm which you naturally in
spire. But tell me, is it necessary that
we should always meet under these
restraints? Will you not give me the
opportunity of cultivatng your friend
ship in some situation in which shall
not embarrass you by the expression
of my sentiments?'
"The lady Of the lilies became gra.
cious again.
"'But that is what / desire. 1t is
for you to say whether you are willing
to be seen entering the house Of con-
spirator.'
"'I will enter any house which con.
tains you, mademoiselle,' was the gal
liant response, though 1t should be the
castle of Henri V himself!
Another smile flashed across the
face of his companion.
"T believe I shall make a convert
of you in the end she observed. Well,
you will find me at the "Fleur de Lys.''
"The president could not repress
gesture of dismay. She had named
hotel which was known to all Paris as
the headquarters OF the Royalist party,
the one at which the emissaries Of
the Comte de Chambord invariably
lodged while ON their visits to the
capital. 1t was the place he might
have expected her to designate; never.
theless the idea Of having to enter 1t
gave him shock.
But things had now gone too far
for him to hesitate He accepted a
rendezvous for the next day, and the
unknown made her adieus In man.
ner which completed his enchant.
ment.
"The following morning France was
surprised to find itself still repuh'
lie. But the ministers in office had
by this time taken the alarm.
Thoroughly convinced that the presi.
dent had made up his mind to betray
the constitution, 1t did not occur to
them to give him an opportunity Of ex-
planning his strange conduct. They
therefore concerted their measures
without consulting him, and he was
left to walk blindly to his doom.
Absorbed in his dreams Of the be.
witching stranger, whom he now be.
gan to see, as it were, within his
reach, the infatuated president left the
Elysee after dinner unattended, got
into a passing fiacre, and boldly drove
up to the very door Of the 'Fleur de
Lys.'
1T was evident that his arrival was
expected, for before he had time to
explain the object of his visit. he found
himself greeted by the obsequious pro-
prietor, who eagerly led the way up.
stairs.
"'This way, M. le President, if you
please. The lady has given me orders
that you were to be shown up directly
you should arrive. She Is on the first
floor. What q distinction for my
house!'
THUS babbling, he conducted the
president to the door of an apartment
on the floor in question, and flung
open the door, with the announcement:
monsieur le Marechal MacMahon!
Noticing with momentary annoy.
ance this dropping of his official rank,
MacMahon walked in, and found him
self in the presence Of the young girl
who had SO strangely fascinated him.
1t was the first time they had met
in the light, and he looked eagerly
at her face. But the lady of the lilies
was evidently not yet ready to aban-
don her incognito, for she wore a little
velvet mask, through which her eyes
flashed provokingly. Her mouth and
chin were the only other features visi-
BILE, but they we're enough to make it
evident that the unknown had nothing
to fear on the score Of admiration
from the complete revelation of her
charms.
Welcome, M. le Marechal!' she
cried, as he approached respectfully
and she again permitted him to salute
her hand.
"'But, mademoiselle,' demonstrated
the marshal surely II is not carving