The Southern herald., 1915-07-02
A SCANDAL AT THE ELYSEE


instructions. The next morning 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 stife 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 MacMahons 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 a promise of
something more. 1t was evident that
these lilies were to be regarded as a
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, it
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 a 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 small but hand
some carriage approaching, drawn by
a single horse, in which lady closely
veiled 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 al
the same moment the lady turned hel
head slightly, and allowed him to per
ceive that she was imprinting a 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 o.
paper was attached, inscribed witt
the one word-'Thanks!'
Encouraged by so much, the presi
dent again wore his flowers during the
afternoon drive; but this time he wal
better prepared, and the moment thu
carriage of the unknown appeared IL
sight he detached his lilies from hi
buttonhole, and raised them to his lip
with eagerness as she came opposite
to him. He was rewarded by a fain
but perceptible bow from the lady
who had drawn her veil far enough
to disclose chin Of exquisite delica
cy, and lips of perfect shape ant
redness.
1T was with the most intense eager
ness that the president descended Il
breakfast on the following morning
, He had presentiment that the affai
, was about to take a more practica
turn, and he was not deceived. AC
companying the flowers which agail
adorned his plate, there was a note, eI
quisitely scented, and sealed with tn
impression of dove bearing an olive
leaf in its beak
"Dismissing his attendants, lest the,
: should observe his agitation, the maj
shall cut open the missive with tn
: utmost care, and read the contents
, If you care to accept my flower
from my own hand, let your pag
bring to me a key to the small gat
, of the Elysee gardens; and expec
| me tomorrow night, at ten. cor
} fide in the honor of an officer o
: France
! That was all; but it was enough
Overcome with Joy at the prospect o
soon meeting and conversing with tn
, siren who had bewitched him from
, distance, the marshal took care t
procure the desired eKey, which h
( entrusted to the page with the nee
essary instructions
. You will not expect me to ente
e into the details of this meeting. o.
her arrival the lady again wore a vel
' but in response to the pressing solic
tations of MacMahon she at lengtl
consented to lift it SO far as to dis
! close the lower half OF her face, tn
] charms Of which more than futile
/. the expectations of the enamored mai
. shal.
IN. le Marechal, she said, address
r ing him by his military title, instea
1 of as chief of the republic, althoug
+ the steps which have taken to obtai
, this interview may wear a romanti
A aspect, | beg you to believe that