Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-08-31

ber. on the postroad however we had
not always a wall betwiXt ourselves ana
the dogs
The palace in Mittau stood conspicuous
upon an island in the river. AS we APP
preached, il looked not unlike a copy OF
Versailles. The pile was by no means
brilliant with lights, as the court Of a
King might glitter, finding reflection upon
the stream. We drove with a clatter
upon the paving and a sentinel challenged
us.
| had thought of how | should obtain
access to this secluded royal family. and
Skenedonk was ready with the Queens
jewel case in his hands. Net on any ac-
count was he to let 1t go out of them
until l took 1t and applied the key;
but gaining audience with Madame dan
gouleme, he was to tell her that the
bearer of that casket had Travelled far
to see her, and waited outside.
Under guard the Oneida had the great
doors shut behind him. The wisdom OF
my plan looked less conspicuous as time
| went by. The palace loomed silent, with
| out any cheer of courtiers. The horses
| shook their straps, and the position hung
lazily by one leg, his figure distinct
against the low horizon still lighted by
after-glow. Some AIittau noises came
across the Aa, the rumble of wheels and
a barking of dogs.
When apprehension began to pinch my
heart of losing my servant and my whole
fortune in the abode of honest royal peo-
pie and l felt myself but a poor outcast
come to seek a princess for my sister, a
| guard stood by the carriage, touching
his cap, and asked me to follow him.
We ascended the broad steps. He gave
the password to q sentinel there and
held wide one leaf of the door. He took
a candle; and otherwise dark corridors
and ante-chambers, sombre with heavy
Russian furnishings. rugs hung against
the walls, barparic brazen vessels ard
curious vases. passed like a half-seen
vision.
Then the guard delivered me to a gen.
tleman in blue coat, with a red collar,
who belonged to the period of the Mar
qus du Plessy without being adorned by
his whiteness and lade. The gentleman
staring at me, strangely polite and full
of suspicion, conducted me into we'll
lighted room where Skenedonk waited by
the farther door. holding the Jewel case
as tenaciously as he would a scalp.
I entered the farther door. 1t closed
behind me.
A girl stood in the centre of this inner
room. looking at me. l remember none
OF its fittings, except that there was
abundant light showing her clear blue
eyes and fair hair. the transparency Of
her skin, and her high expression.
She was all in black, except a floating
muslin cape or fichu, making a beholder
despise the hnery Of the Empire.
We must have examined each other
even sternly, though 1 felt a sudden CIV
ing way and heaving in my breast. She
was so high. so sincere II l had been
unfit to meet the eyes of that princess
must have shriveled before her.
From side to side her figure swayed
and another young girl. the only attend
ant In the room, stretched out both arms
to catch her.
We put her on a couch, and she sat
gasping. supported by the lady in wait
ing. Then the tears ran down her face
and l kissed the transparent hands, my
own flesh and blood. l believed that hour
as / believe to this.
20 Louis-Louis!"
The wonder of her knowledge and ac-
ceptance Of me. without claim being
put forward, was around me like a cloud.
You are so like my father as you
stood there-I could see him again as he
parted from us! What miracle has re-
stored you? How did you find your wav
here? You are surely Louis?"
/ sat down beside her. keeping one
hand between mine.
Madame. l believe as you believe. that
/ am Louis Charles, the dauphin of
France. And have come to you first as
my own flesh and blood who must have
more knowledge and recollection of things
past than / myself can have. / have not
long been walked out OF the tranced life
l formerly lived"
II have wept more tears for the little
brother-broken In intellect and exiled
farther than we-than for my father and
mother. They were at peace. But you,
poor child. what hope was there for
you? Was the person who had you I'm
his charge kind TO your He must have
been. You have grown to be such man
as / would have you!'
Everybody has been kind TO me, my
sister"
Gould they look in that face and be
unkind2 All the thousand questions
have to ask must be deferred until the
king sees you. ! cannot wait for him 10
see youl Madamoiselle de Choisy, send
a message at once 10 the king!"
The lady in waiting withdrew to the
door. and the doyai duchess quivered
with eager anticipation.
I'VE have had pretended dauphIns. te
! add insult to exile. You may not take
the king unawares as you took mel II,
! Will have proofs as plain as his Latir
verse. But you will find his majesty
7 all that father could be 70 us. Louis
! ! think there never was a man so un-
selhshi-except, indeed, my husband
. whom you cannot see until he returns
Again 1 kissed my sisters hand. w,
) gazed at each other. our different breed
, ing still making strangeness between us
4 across which yearned and she examined
me
| Many A time since / have reproache,
myself for not improving those moments
4 with the most candid ana right-minde,
princess IN Europe, by forestalllng m,
4 enemies
r should have told her OF my weakness
4 instead Of summing my strength In TN
E love Of her. ] should have made her Sc
4 my actual position. and the natural an
. tagonlsn OF the King who would not .
2 when that was not emphasized BY som