Tombstone epitaph., 1915-05-30

newspaper in which he had been read forts numerous duels. "I do not won der that you English amuse yourselves with these comedies, which reflect little honor on France. Nevertheless, let me tell you that. when We please, We can make of the duel something very different: that is to say, an af- fair of life and death
 Without doubt" l answered. toss ing aside my own copy of the Matin- We were in the smoking room of the Cercle des Etrangers-"but your press should not give such importance to these farces."
 The ambassador brushed this obser- vation aside with a wave of his hand
 Tt is the too great facility with which these affairs are arranged that has involved them in ridicule," he said pursuing his own line Of thought. It is when a crime has been committed which is truly worthy of death. and yet which, from its nature, is beyond the reach Of laws. that the duel be- comes sacred resource. indispensable in the interests of mankind"
 And are there such occasions. then?" l responded, in order to see what was in his excellency's mind.
 T have at all events known of one." he returned gravely, as he began to roll cigarette.
 T cannot recall the exact date at which I was accredited to the court of St James. but it must have been at least twenty-five years ago. had come to Great Britain with a sincere desire to win the confidence of the brave English people; and knowing that in your country even politics re- ceives less consideration than what you call sport I resolved to prove myself a huntsman. Accordingly bought myself horses and went out to hunt the fox.
 The hunt of which I became a mem Der was at that time the most aristo- cratic in the world, made so by the patronage of an illustrious parsonage whose name l shall not mention. Her imperial majesty had formed the habit Of coming over to England during the season of the chase, under a strict in cognito. and attended by only small suite. in order to take part in this sport It was in this way that 1 ob- eaiued the privilege of all acquaintance Which I shall always look back upon as my most cherished remembrance
 Among the members of her maj esty's suite at this time was a certain Baron Magratz. who filled the post of private secretary and comptroller Of the household. You will understand. of course. that my intercourse with the empress was on the most respect ful footing, but it was not long be fore I discovered that this baron, of whom I saw a good deal. was dan gerous, insolent man. quite unworthy of the confidence reposed in him by his august mistress.
 So acutely did I realize this that 1t became a question with me whether the favor extended to me by that noble and unsuspicious lady did not cast upon me the obligation of warning her against this mans presumption. While was still in doubt an incident occurred which rendered it unneces- sary for me to speak.
 "One morning. when we were en- xaged in waiting outside a small GOV ert for the fox to appear. l observed Magratz ride up to the empress and point with his hand, as if persuading her that the beast was about to emerge from a point further on. She turned her horse, and they rode on together round a corner of the wood. Troubled by some vague presentiment of mischief, at once gave rein to my horse and followed.
 ~I got round the corner just in time to perceive what took place. The baron had stopped forward, with an air of undue confidence. and was apparently addressing some remark to the empress when all at once saw her majesty rein in her horse, lift up the riding whip she held in her hand and draw it swiftly across his face.
 ~Mazratz started with a violence which caused his horse to rear. What he would have done next I cannot say but luckily at that moment he caught ,isht of me. The empress had already turned. and she rode back past me the angry gieam in her eyes relaxing into a gracious smile as she acknowl edged my respectful salute.
 .The baron followed at walk. and ,s he came up to me l observed on sis face . narrow streak of red. cross yz from the right ear to the mouth
 -stung. doubtless. by my indignant Iook. he checked his horse and ad dressed ne with bitter emphasis:
 "T congratulate you NJ fAmbassa deur. on your good fortune. tTh' seoupdrei spoke in French-no doub for the sake of the double meaning. You have seen how member of family which Is six hundred years ol' la treated by one of these royalties We others are not of ths same clay vou perceiye A Magratz is no nor ,o them than the ground beneath thei feet. But perhaps this chapter vii have a sequel
 .1 disdained to make any answer