Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1915-07-02


caught eagerly at this name OF the
great marshal. whose sudden and IN
explained resignation Of the French
presidency had formed one OF the
most startling episodes of modern
history.
Us it possible that you are In a posi-
ton to throw light on the events
which brought about the fall of this
PRESIDENT ventured to exclaim.
1T is precisely that of which was
about to speak," he answered. But
1t is my duty to warn you that this
story is one of great delicacy, involv-
ing the honor OF a lady-one for
whom cherish a peculiar esteem. 1t
will, therefore, be necessary for you to
promise me beforehand that you will
not allow yourself to entertain any
ideas regarding the conduct of this
lady which are not consistent with
the most scrupulous respect"
But NJ. Ambassador" / was
beginning, when he stopped me with
q gesture.
1t is enough. know well that you
do not possess the gross mind of your
countrymen. One more stipulation:
did not receive the particulars of this
strange affair from the duke Of Mag
enta, but from a person who is still
alive. and whose name must, there
fore, not be mentioned between us.
Swear that you will respect my re-
serve on this pOipt also!''
l renewed rsS assurances, with in
creased warmth.
"The duke OF Magenta, as you know,
without doubt, was an Irishman by
descent, and was not free from the
imrulsive temper of his truly gener-
Gus countrymen, who have always
been SO much esteemed by France.
He was at the same time a sincere
patriot; and in spite of the fact that
he owed his marshal's baton and his
dukedom to the third Napoleon, he
remained faithful to the republic Of
the fourth Of September. History will
recognize this when the death of liv-
ing persons permits an explanation Of
the remarkable circumstances which
brought about his fall, and which have
left so melancholy a shadow upon his
name.
Everyone who knows anything
about MacMahon Is aware of the
extreme fon6ness for flowers which
always distinguished him, and his
friends frequently sent him offerings
Of flowers. 1t did not cause him sur
prise, therefore, on taking his seat at
the breakfast table one morning to.
wards the latter part Of his term Of
ONCE, to perceive on his plate a tiny
bouquet of lilies. These exquisite
flowers had evidently been chosen With
great care, and they were arranged
with an elegance in which the presi-
dent quickly OWNED the agency of a
woman.
] But when he came to look for the
card which usually accompanied such
tributes. he was disappointed to find
that the donor had chosen to remain
anonymous.
4 Distracted by another matter which
claimed his attention. the president
laid aside the delicate offering after a
few moments, and dismissed the Incl
dent from his mind.
but ON the following morning, at
the same hour, he was at once aston
ished and charmed to find a second
bouquet, similar in all respects to
that of the day before. This time the
marshal. piqued by the mystery. made
inquiries among his servants.
AAf ARut M cd oh To-
ing to furnish any information: but on
the president becoming insistent, a
favorite page at length confessed that
ne had been bribed to place the flow-
ers on his masters plate, without dis
closing the source from which they
were received.
"The marshal was now thoroughly
interested. He questioned the page
further, and in the end the lad be-
trayed the fact that he had received
the two bouquets from a lady who
had contrived to intercept him each
morning in the Champs Elysees. The
lady, it appeared. had been closely
yelled, but had nevertheless impressed
the boy with the idea that she was
UOLu yOuu6
mo more was needed to complete
the fascination OF the old marshal,
who retained to the end of his life
that ardent devotion to the fair sex
which is the distinguishing mark of
soldier and a Frenchman-a foible
of which l who speak to you have
also sometimes been accused, and of
which l am not, perhaps. sufficiently
ashamed.
"MacMahon gave the page strict
orders to look out for the lady again
the next morning, in case she should
mean to repeat her delicate attention.
Do not allow her to know he
continued. that you have said any
thing to me, but be careful TO tell her
of the extreme pleasure with which
have received her bouquets, and de-
scribe the anxiety have displayed TO
learn the identity of my unknown
benefactor, for whom / already cher
iEh the most tender sentiments in ad-
vance"
The page faithfully carried out his
instructions. The next morning a 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