The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1918-03-21


than the former two, rewarded the
Impotence of the marshal But the
page was unable to crafty his curl
oslty with any fresh details with re-
gard to the mysterious donor.
Thus repulsed, the president was
compelled to stifle his eagerness, and
to await the pleasure of the fair I'M
known. The following two days saw
the offering of the bouquet renewed
in the same manner, but on the third
morning MacMahon's hopes were
reused to the highest pitch by the de-
lection of tiny piece of paper, Sc
GREETED 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,
laconlc as it was, the marshal per-
ceived that it contained promise of
something more. 1t was evident that
these lilies were to be regarded as
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, 1t
was the custom for the president to
drive out in public to the Bots 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
yelled 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 a 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 at
the same moment the lady turned her
head slightly, and allowed him TO per-
ceive that she was imprinting 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 a morsel of
paper was attached, inscribed with
the one word--'Thanks!
Encouraged by so much, the presi-
dent again wore his flowers during the
afternoon drive; but this time he was
better prepared, and the moment the
carriage Of the unknown appeared in
sight he detached his lilies from his
buttonhole, Ind raised them to his lips
to him. He was rewarded by faint
but perceptible bow from the lady,
who had drawn her veil far enough
to disclose a chin of exquisite delica-
cy, and lips of perfect shape and
redness.
1T was with the most intense eager
ness that the president descended to
breakfast on the following morning.
He had a presentiment that the affair
was about to take a more practical
turn, and he was not deceived. Ac-
companying the flowers which again
adorned his plate, there was note, ex-
quisitely scented, and sealed with the
impression of dove bearing an olive
leaf in it's beak.
"Dismissing his attendants, lest they
should observe his agitation, the mar
shall cut open the missive with the
utmost care, and read the contents:
If you care to accept my flowers
from my own hand, let your page
bring to me key to the small gate
of the Elysee gardens; and expect
me tomorrow night at ten. l con-
fide in the honor of an officer of
France
THAT was all; but it was enough.
Overcome with joy at the prospect of
soon meeting and conversing with the
siren who had bewitched him from
distance, the marshal took care to
procure the desired key, which he
entrusted to the page with the nee
essary instructions.
you will not expect me to enter
into the details of this meeting. On
her arrival the lady again wore veil,
but in response to the pressing solicit
tations of MacMahon she at length
consented to lift it so far as to dis
close the lower half of her face, the
charms of which more than fulfilled
the expectations of the enamored mar
shall.
M lie Marechal,' she said, address
ing him by his military title, instead
of as chief of the republic, although
the steps which have taken to obtain
this interview may wear a romantic
aspect, l beg you to believe that 1
have some serious reasons for wishing
to converse with you.
Nay, mademoiselle,' returned the
president, what can there be more