Sioux County pioneer. (Fort Yates, Sioux County, N.D.) 1914-1929, 1915-07-09
MADAME THE AMBASSADRESS
Chronacled By ALLEN UPWARD


parture from Paris.
Il am going to insist that you shall
stay here and dine" he demanded.
III you promise to excuse my frock-
coat to Madame, l accept with pleas.
ure." ANSWERED.. But on one condi-
tion-before I leave, you must relate
to me that story of your experiences
In the Quirinal. which you have some
times limited had a more than usually
romantic ending"
The ambassador smiled at me in.
diligently.
I'm the first place." he began, 1T
is necessary that you should under
stand that am speaking Of the time
when was in Rome as ambassador
to the kingdom Of Italy. had
ceased to be the friend Of the pope,
but owing to the strained character
Of our relations with Italy. had not
been admitted to the intimacy OF Um-
berto.
THE affair of which have promised
to speak occurred some years ago. not
long after my arrival in Rome, in fact
A state tall was being held one night at
the palace. a function to which my
position. of course. made it necessary
that l should be invited. The scene
was q brilliant enc.
I'm the center of the principal saloon
stood King Umberto, his bluff mien
OF country gentleman contrasting
strangely with his elaborate military
costume. Round him were grouped
the officers of his household, spar
king with uniforms and orders, and
the members of the government, with
Signor Crispi at their head.
Il approached to pay my respects
to his Majesty, prepared for the form
al greeting with which he usually re-
ceived me. To my surprise, his man.
ner exhibited a striking transforma-
ton. He assumed cordial smile as
soon as he caught sight of ME, stepped
forward two PAGES, an honor usually
reserved for the princes Of reigning
houses-and extended both hands in
q hearty clasp of welcome.
Amazed at this reception, / let
my eye rove round mechanically, no.
ting the impression produced by this
condescension upon the other men,
bers of the group. The result was
curious. Most of these witnesses
were evidently surprised at what they
saw; but Signor Crispi and one or two
others were looking on with smiling
faces, like the approving spectators
of some comedy.
mot satisfied with this display of
cordially, Umberto insisted on detain-
ing me by his side from some minutes,
chatting Familiarity about a boar-hunt
which had just taken place at mis-
castle in the mountains.
"'You must positively Join US next
time he said; it is sport which you
ought not to miss And besides,
cherish the hope of seeing more of
you than has yet been possible in this
wretched Rome, where one has not a
minute that is ones own
"'You are too good, sire,' I re-
sponded. The honor which you pro-
pose for me would be of all things
that which should most desire.'
"As said these words, l again
glanced round me. My previous inn
preston was confirmed. Before
had parted from the royal group l had
become convinced that there was some
intrigue on foot which could not be
viewed with Indifference by France,
and that an attempt was being made
to overcome my watchfulness.
Il passed on to tender my formal
homage to Queen Margharita. Her
Majesty, who on other occasions had
treated me with almost notifying
GOODNESS, confirmed my suspicious by
altering her manner almost as much
as King ,Umberto had done. At the
same time l detected a certain en-
barrassment beneath this assumed
friendliness, which told me that this
queen-a really superior woman-was
not altogether satisfied with the part
she had been instructed to play.
FILLED with apprehension, and vain
ly trying to form some guess as to the
nature of the mystery, was moving
distractedly through the crowded ball
rooms, when / suddenly caught sight
Of one of my few friends in the Italian
court. This was Madame Ia Con-
tessa D'Urbino, one of the ladies in
waiting 10 Queen Margharita.
This distinguished lady, who was
believed to stand high in her Maj
esty's confidence, was at this time a
widow, having lost her husband. Gen.
eral DUrbino, about year before.
She was besides a woman of extra.
ordinary fascination, possessed of
beauty which would have commanded
homage in any station. When l tell
you that I, who am as you know lndif
ferent to women. was not prepared to
resist this charming Italian, you will
perceive what she must have been.
1T is true that ! had a particula,
motive for cultivating her friendship
In the isolated position in which
found myself, foresaw that she
might be able to render me the great
est services. A diplomatist has nc