The Southern herald., 1915-07-02


great marshal, whose sudden and un-
explained resignation of the French
presidency had formed one of the
most startling episodes of modern
history.
rs it possible that you are in posi-
ton to throw light on the events
which brought about the fall of this
PRESIDENT" l ventured to exclaim.
1T is precisely that Of which was
about to speak" he answered. But
it 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 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. pAmbassadeur!" l was
beginning, when he stopped me with
a gesture.
'Iti enough. l know well that you
dc not possess the gross mind of your
countrymen. One more stipulation: l
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 point alsol"
l renewed my 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
impulsive 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
sukedom to the third Napoleon, he
Demained 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 fondness 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 oi
Office, to perceive on his plate 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 q
woman.
"But when he came to look for the
card which usually accompanied such
tributes, he was disappointed to fine
that the donor had chosen to remain
anonymous.
Distracted by another matter which
claimed his attention, the president
laid aside the delicate offering after &
few moments, and dismissed the Incl
dent from his mind.
But on the following morning, a
the same hour, he was at once aston
1shed and charmed to find a secont
bouquet, similar in all respects tt
that Of the day before, This time th'
marshal, piqued by the mystery, made
Inquiries among his servants.
AT first no one semed able or will
ing to furnish any information; but OF
the president becoming insistent, I
favorite page at length confessed tina
he had been bribed to place the flow
ers on his masters plate, without dis
closing the source from which the!
we're received.
nC dADAdA Nep uOW
interested. He questioned the pagt
further, and in the end the lad be
trayed the fact that he had received
the two bouquets from a lady WHIT
had contrived to intercept him eacl
morning in the Champs Elysees. TIL,
lady, it appeared, had been closel.
veiled, but had nevertheless impressed
the boy with the idea that she wa
both young and beautiful.
mo more was needed to complet
the fascination of the old marsha
who retained to the end Of his lif
that ardent devotion to the fair Sc
which is the distinguishing mark O
a soldier andFa Frenchman-a foibl
of which ! who speak to you hav
also sometimes been accused, and O
which am not, perhaps, sufficientl
ashamed.
'MacMahon gave the page striC
orders to look out for the lady agail
the next morning, in case she shoul
mean to repeat her delicate attention
"'Do not allow her to know h
continued, that you have said any
thing to me, but be careful to tell he
of the extreme pleasure with whicl
have received her bouquets, and dc
scribe the anxiety have displayed t
learn the identity OF my unknown
benefactor, for whom / already chez
fish the most tender sentiments in at
vance"
The page faithfully carried out hi