San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1926-01-24

ness de Vaughan Board the Guest Of Honor
week breach between the King and myself, and with
a little more luck might have been sent packing in.
stead of the handsome Count So they tried the same
scheme over and over. The most gifted of these
various candidates for my heart and the only one
who really gave me thrill was another count
Count Durand.
This was the Kings master of ceremonies,
an important position because he responsible for
His Majesty always appearing to advantage in public.
To show King off properly requires much plotting,
paywritng and scenery, and the master of ceremo-
MES has star to handle who is more difficult and
temperamental than any prima donna. Durand was
older and by means as handsome as Delgrave, but
he had more brains and also another talent which
should have taken into account. He was an actor
The master of ceremonies began his campaign
slowly and integently by consulting me on many
things in way liked. For instance, when Leopold,
as he often did, gave order that would result in
embarrassing Princess Cementine or his nephew,
Albert, the present King, Durand would ask me
how to get around it in such a manner as to save
everyone's face and yet not anger the King These
little conspiracies against him were for Leopold's
benefit as well his famy's, and grew to admire
and respect the master of ceremonies in his tick.
lish job.
We grew friendly and informal and looked
foundation he presumed that he could build higher
The King and had been staying at Paris in different
hotels and His Majesty had just left for his capital
when this fellow decided the time was ripe to act
He had remained behind to settle the hotel and other
bills of His Majesty and retinue and do the same for
myself, who was delaying day or two to enrich the
dressmakers.
When the master of ceremonies sent word that
he must see me an important matter admitted
him to my apartment without hesitation
IT, H.:
had long loved me desperately and with passion he
could no longer control-in fact, he could not
ceal it another minute AS tactfully as l could |
explained that there was no hope for him. Even if
the King were dead or should dismiss me would not
be interested in him except platoncally. At this he
wept and made distressing scene. have said to
beware of smers. Ready weepers almost as bad
1t is usually sign of selfshness. Their tears are
usually for themselves Finally had to become
severe and order him to 60.
At this he whipped out pistol, placed it to his
temple and swore that unless relented he would
blow out his brains He said it convncingly and
with tears running down his cheeks. l was fright.
ened, but remembered of the first warnings the
King had given me. HI said always to defy black
mailer or one who threatens suicide. So did, and
he pulled the trigger but it only snapped. Angriy
he opened the weapon. found it empty and threw it
the floor
Then was disguised and told him in plain words
that he was fraud and pretty cheap one. The
master of ceremonies from his knees and looked
at me with injured dignity as he said:
"You think knew that pistol was not loaded
will show you will leap from that window. Then
will you believer"
EYES," Knocked, "do that and will never doubt
you again."
made no effort to restrain him he opened the
window and looked down. My apartment was seven
stories above the street.
''You are sending me to my DEATH he gasped in
a tragic voice. This is murder as surely as though
you drove knife into this heart you have broken.
You encouraged me-you made me love you as man
never loved before, and you mock my passion
You want me to die. Very well, you shall have your
wish"
He paused to give me time to weaken. but told
him to go ahead and jump. To my horror he did.
nearly tainted. 1t must have been fully min