The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, March 26, 1899, Page 22

AY, MARCH 26, 1899 . and the half- 1d her companion, followed 1ced to meet them, ndre Chevalller. seated in the steps toward the group and pre- , who has returned f & Louis XV himself * questioned the first person, en I went to the Chateau his shoulde , the poultry and the cask of observed M. not recognize {t?" *Do you not recog- Rameau qui not even by the smiles of Desc 0ok In one Ah, my It >s you make of ) rned nothing from y from the painte Ibum when the door was dlercing eyes and malicious and gazed ssemblage: ¢ name of the painter The portrait of your mmered forth to the n who wants to know Place Dauphine. had said, the daughter of Poincelet was the adopted daughter of their hearts before in the same Cafe Parnasse by an . whom they had never after been able to nger with the little girl was a bag of g some ribbons, fine white linen and a purse in ned fifteen v ecus nestled. s the bag had slept in the bottom of Dame Poincelet's wardrobe; but the events of the day had stirred up a crowd of remem brances In the heart of the good hostess, remembrances which lingered long after the departure of this guest. vague and inexplicable disqui- etude had seized her, and, although the name of this man, Vallet, awak- ened no particular train of thought, she could not throw from her the at some unknown peril threatened. an important agent charged with the duty of attending to of Louis XV and the Marquise de Pompadour. It was he, d mysterious man, who supplied the sad and famous Aux-( with guests for the King. d on this same day noticed the charms of Gillette. heauty of the favorite, Mme. de Pompadour, was waning, 1th. to terrible spells of weariness, of weakness; her eves - sunken, wrinkles had made their appearance, and the stamp of grow- ige had set its seal upon her face. She lived in a state of constant jetude, fearing to lose the favor of the King. and suspecting herselt ded by plotters and schemers for her downfall. The institution of x-Corfs was her latest invention. To replace the vouth that 1 from her. she surrounded the King with a bevy of young women by Vallet. llet conc i the character of his infamous calling and presented himself under the title of commissioner of the chatelet. He, in a word bought, on account of the King, ihe house, with its appendages, out- les. d offices, in the Ru Mederic at Ver: in the middle of a severe win. s in the first days of the vear he bridges. and covered the er. The pede rough the biting cold, tleir cloaks drawn up ta noses, and shi v limb. Night had just closed in. Some en were leavin, I'Auxerrois. Sounds of music floated ly through the frosty Walking with_effort, £ upon the of Gillette, was Mme. Poincelet among the last s in the Rue thout driver, the horses attached to which blocked the he two women to separate and to make their way in single file s rrow fcotpa close to the houses Mme. Poincelet went akead, 7 g reached the corner of the Rua Arbre. turned to retake Gllle During t let had b earria compe s the porte cochere of the Maison de own open and Gillette found herself sudde who seemed to be looking on the g dividual who held the door haif apen. Sh person who was stooping, and, as she did so herself ¥ her cloak. In another moment she was within the entrance r avy door had closed upon her, all being accomplished before she could suspect a_snare or utter a cry. Hurried away. in spite of her tears and supplications, she was soon conducted by the two men to the reme end of the hotel and led into a room, the windows of which were fastened and hung with draperies thick as to prevent the the prisoner being heard. ishment that sei Poincelet on finding herself alona suddenly seized with vertido. She was alo erted calling in vain upon Gillette. She ; as was possible, for the carriage still obstructed t Gazing gloomy looking house, she hurried on to the en ce of the church. cherishing a vague hope that the young gfrl had re-entered the edifice. The sexton had closed the doors. and, with the slow laggard steps peculiar to attendants in_churches. went about extingui £ the lights, one by one, in the chan- cel. The agitated steps of the poor woman echoed in the vault of the de- serted chapel: no other sound broke the stillness. and hurryving on through the edifice she made her way out by a little side doer and was once more alone in_the darkne s and cold of the street Overcome by her emotion, she burst into tes Filled with fear and dread. she hastened on through the fcy cold and over the frozen pavement. calling in a voice that awak- ened no echo. the name. “Gillette! Gillette! Arriving thus before the Cafe Parnasse, she entered quickly and sank overcome. upon one of the chairs covered with cloaks. 3 At this hour the uncertain light of two candles placed upon a table drawn near the stove aione illumined the Cafe Parnasse. Poincelet dozed in his armchair, and Andre Chevallier, his nephew, con- versed with animation with a young man dressed in the garb of a lackey of a wealthy house. He was a man with a long. yellow face. who looked profoundly mysterious, while his grim face séemed as if illumined by Eou far-off \'1=hén seen gnlymh\- h}:]mefilt His thoughts seemed to carry im far away and to render him oblivious to what Andre vailier was saying, A deep.frown contracted his hrows. i eYgier e Andre Chevalller had known Damiens, for such was his name. when he was a servant in the employ of La Bourdonnals. who returned from the ndies. miserable, suspected, calumniated, to die s, overw! With dlsgust and Injustice, L TadeoxsTusimed. Chance had led him to Beze de Ty hostile to Louls XV and his Minis: second master. he ohtained a situa Tomzuadour. . one of the old parliamentarians Finally. after the arrest of h on with Marigny e hrother of T se botel was situated near the Elyvsees. x wAS a veri- of luxury, where beneath the thick shade of the Champs- Potncelet drew from his dreams the silent ercome for speech, gaz- her alone and troubled, table *‘folly Elysees rendezvous were held. The sudden arrival of Mme. host of the Parnasse. , For some moments she remained, too much ov ing at Poincelet and Andre Chevalller, who, seeing suspected the misfortune that had assailed them. “Has Gillette returned?” she gasped ere they read in the e could question her. es of the three men In- wd not reappeared since leaving the the Rue Bethisy,” she continued, d suddenly as I urried back to the church; there was no street; it was deserted. Mon Dieu! they have stolen our daughter— “or else Gillette may have The look of anxiety which she formed her silently that the girl h house to attend church. 8 “There was a great green carriage in i C in a trembling v assed on before yself alone, 1 returned to_the Mon Dieu! . clinging to a faint hope, f For-I'Eveque. le that she would have been willing to ven- e ld)xe gloom and darkness of the For- I called aloud, but was not answered. returned b ture alone without re: "Eveque on such a night N omeeet i and on whose cheeks were great Andre advanced toward the door, t a lantern alf with a short sword, Chevallier, 1 from seeing. g axmed i furning toward Mme. Poincelet, It is possible that Gil- annot be far off, and while you remain e a search.” ff, followed by one of the servants of ¥ “your fright may have preven taken suddenly ill good mother, we will mak and his nephew set o e looking_carefully_around f the Quai and the walls ht of their lanterns, they searched each and then retraced their steps to the Rue Bethisy. They walked toward him. arsued, he drew his sword the folds of his cloak, and countenance, even more than his voice, on in silence for some time, e Rue Bethisy, along the houses o Throwing the lig! v nook and corn A man was the stranger saw himself, quickly, which until then had be assumed a defensive attitude. gave evidence of fear. “In the name of hi waited for at my home. wronged no one?” “Do not_fear, “We are seeking 1f‘m' a la‘l“l ymix"nzl ong black cloak upon her shou GL Heur,” replled the unknow arge green carriage, tl ch two big valets drove through the Rue des he supposed, pt eaven, gentlemen, what do you desire of me? I am Why pursue a poor father of a family who has Chavallier to the passing irl, with a white veil upon her m, who retreated, he doors of still on the def which were closed. Poulies toward the Louvre. This phrase out cxcusing The unknown, hapi main-1'Auxerrois as fas The silence that reigned t chateau and rested upon everything. by the sound n\f heavy r;rl;\ fom the Pont-Neuve or that o ron R he clew that they could gather duri Through the Rue Rethisy ‘ootsteps alone resounded upon the hastened with all speed toward the Cafe Parnasse, ing found Gillette. {shed to seek the chief of polica and explain all. be responsible for the disappearance of completed when Poincelet turned upon his himself hurried on with his companions. - 'to be free, hurried on down the Rue Saint-Ger- as his legs would permit. hroughout the quarter had extended to the Suddenly the stillness was broken e wheels coming, it would appear, efther La Conference. an hour’s search was vague, ey passed in silence, and the frozen ground. the prey of wild de- to say the least. spair at not hav! The gloomy Damiens w “The police thems your daughter.” “What do you me: the chief of polt “T know great lords who ! an, Damiens?" interrupted M. Poincelet. ‘“How could ce ba an accomplics in so odlous an act?” onld not disdain to yield to a like tempta- ton;” replied Damiens, following in his mind suspicions that painful silence followed. 3 “But for what purpose?” questioned Andre Chevalller. “The purpose?” sald Damiens. “Is there need of a special o a courtier who becomes the purveyor of the pleasures of W8 o “Speak low. Great heaven! Speak low, Damiens,” interr Poincelet, sobbing. £ e “I have seen the vices of the great” continued Dam‘;on g seen,” he added, his lips curled scornfully, “daughters taken mothers who never returned from the prison of the Rue Saint-}f where they were detained through the royal caprice “The Rue Saint-Mederic?” groaned Mme. Eoincelet. At Versailles,” replied Damiens, in a low voice. e “It 15 fifteen years," said Bomecelat, “since Gillette Was brought hera He was interrupted by a gesture from his wife. “What if they have dragged our Gillette to Versailles with a criming end in view or for reasons unknown to us?’ added Poincelet. This thought possessed them all. A sort of intuition told each one tha Gillette had been taken from them against her will = “Well, then,” exclaimed Andre Chevallier, resolutely. T wi necessary, and reclaim her from the King himself. Gillette has be ried off from her parents by wretches. 1 shall inform him “He will be deeply touched.” replied Damiens, whose eyes glea with a gloomy light and suppressed fire. “He will be touched.” ; Into the few words spoken Damiens threw a singular intonation, whicy his companions could not understand. - “And you will take with you,” continued Mme. Poincelet, “tha proor that she is our daughter, and that we love her fondls Her tears flowed anew, and at this Polncelet hi moved. But their grief found solace in the hope held out In words, and It became certain to them that their adopted child w found at Versailles. Damiens remained for a moment motionless rising he drew Poincelet's hand within the folds of his cloak and it warmly; then leaving them he sald in a strange tone the “Adieu!” 5 i Z Day had dawned, and by its gray light pedestrians could be seen pass. ng along the quay and hurrying on through the yellow fog. Mme, Poincelet, trembling in every limb, and gliding rather than waix ing, made her way along the Rue de la Barillerie and the Court du which inclosed the palace of the old city. From the mass of black bufldings near the Sainte-Chapells cam murmur of indeflnable cries and imprecations that sounded not unlf dull nofse of a distant torrent. As she drew near the clash of swords rang out in the fog, and ths clamor of human voices became clearer and clearer as Mme. Poincelet advanced toward the Court des Comptes. She now distinguished in the faint light a crowd of men and wo surrounding the little hotel, brandishing sticks, shaking their fists ar uttering wild cries. Several police officrs and the French guards, who had dischas thelr guns upon the crowd, having lost their ground by degre retreated to the steps of the house of the chief of police. Below a group drew after them a dark complexioned man, who was stifl suffocating beneath blows that fell thick and fast from the heavy the mob. “Take that, rascal; take that, you miserable scamp. So you will un. dertake the defense of those who starve us, will you?" A woman struck his breast with a stick. “Go tell the King that the people will burn Versailles, and all, all wha live at the cost of our misery.” “Hang him!” exclaimed a huge man who had made his way thro the crowd. ‘““Hang him! I recognize the fellow; he was one of those who has aided in the abductions of the Faubourg Saint-Antoine—" The crowd suspended for a moment its wrath and turned toward ths newcomer. The victim raised his head; large drops of perspiration rolled down his face from the blows which he had received “Hang him!" shrieked the enraged crowd. ‘“Death for the drinker of blood, death for the purveyor of the King.” Again blows fell upon the unhappy man. Mme. Poincelet recognized Vallet and shuddered. The situation was critical for him. He was leaving the hotel occupled by Berryer, the chief of police, when the mob that had formed in the Faubourg Saint-Antoine invaded the Court du Mal. When Vallet saw the menacing crowd he retreated in haste toward tha office of the chief of police, striking right and left with his cane. The invaders were in power, and Vallet, as he turned from group to group, had been recognized by one of the confederates of the Pont- Tn an'instant Vallet was the object of plebeian rage. Around him surged the excited mass of people, thirsting for blood, mad for revenge. Tha olice and the French guards had profited by the respite afforded by tha esiegers to seek shelter behind the massive doors, which they closed firmly. while those less intimidated hastened to the Chatelet for as: Vailet, dragged upon the pavement of the court, covered with t groaned with pain. His accomplice of the Pont-Neuf had passed a rope around his neck, detached in haste from a hay wagon, the end being thrown over a lamp- Dost. A great cry arose In the court when the executioners suddenly let go their hold of Vallet, and his form was seen to swing out into space. His face wore a hideous grimace, and the look of wild supplication seen In his half-open eyes silenced the rude jests and scoffing of the cruel crowd. Tha final struggles of the miserable man, as he hung from the iron suppo suddenly snapped the bar, and the lantern with its human freight fell to the ground with sudden force. The crowd fell back, only, however, to closa in again, as the waters of a stream disturbed for a moment by the fall of a heavy body. Little by little the crowd dispersed through the Court de Jerusalem, ths drums of the Chatelet guard resounded in the Rue de la Barillerie, and those most guiity in the execution of Vallet made haste to effect an es- cape through the inclosure of the Palais. The soldiers arrived by the Court du Mal, and a bevy of curfous spec- tators hung around the Arch de Nazareth and the Court des Compt The irresistible movement of the crowd drew with it Mme. Poi who, in a few moments, found herself on the Quai des Orfevres She remained there for some minutes. astonished and surprised by the display of violence she had witnessed, forgetful for a brief instance o Gillette, whose abduction she had come to announce to the chief of pol self became gv celet, Damiens had kept the promise he had made himself—‘“‘to warn tha King.” On the night we saw him quit the Cafe Parnasse he had returned home, walking like one in a maze, thinking of the misery of the peop! the unhappiness of the Poincelets, all of which awakened in his mystic: soul_the desire to be the herofc avenger of the corrupt century. Scarcely knowing the purpose of his journey, he had set out for V. sailles at 3 o'clock in the morning In a hired carriage, clasping to his brea a little prayer book, a small pair of scissors, a knife and a purse contal ing twenty Andre Chevallier had reached Versailles the day after Damiens, ¢arry- ing with him the little silk bag containing the effects found with Gillett Andre did not doubt that a recital of the unhappiness of his pare by adoption and those of Gillette wouid touch the King, and he d mined to implore the protection of Louis XV, no matter where he should meet him. On arriving at Versailles he had been informed that the King had left that same morning for the Trianon. A new difficulty presented itself. The approach to the park and tha chateau carefully surrounded by Swiss troops, whose well-drilled sentinels kept up an uninterrupted guard. It was only at the close of the da¥, and after diligent search, that he succeeded in discovering an approach to the chateau hidden behind the wood bordering the extremity of the grand canal. In his hiding place he heard the songs and cries of the Swiss soldlers within the guardhouse between the deep ditches filled with water. Near evening, tired and exhausted by his long walt, he drew near the guardhouse, attracted by an unusual degree of excitement caused by the men arraying themselves and hurrying toward the chateau. Only a few guardsmen remained-at the guardhouse. Andre Chevallier thought this the moment to put his plan in execution. Slowly he followed the course of the canal and reached the closed gats, framed by two columns surmounted by s. He climbed upon the pedes tal and reached the marble steps, vacated only a few moments bafore hy the sentinels. An abnormal and troubled stillness had followed the sounds of life and animation in the little chateau. Without belng seen Andra Chevallier could climb the perron which led to the gardens, and he entared through a glass door, which was not closed, but led to a long room paved with black and gray marqueterfe. He passed on through two small rooms on the hearths of which a fire burned, but stopped finally behind a door \eading into a room beyond, whence he could hear sounds indi- cating that it was occupfed. “Ry whom?"' Andre Cheévallier commenced to doubt that the King was at Trianon. The relaxing of the surveillance. the inexplicable retreat of the sentinels, suggested the thought that the King had taken his de- parture. At this thought a feeling of joy thrilled him, and then he realized in ull force the temerity of his project. He decided to seek refuge in flight by the same way he had come, and turned toward the windows of the room he had first entered. He saw lights moving and could hear the sound of the patrol as tha guard walke: to and fro, and he seated himself, motionless, upon one of the armchalrs A light congh—a woman's cough—broke the stillness. Light footsteps resounded. a_door_within the adjoining room opened, and Andre heard a volce call softly, “Jeanne! Jeanne!" then silence succeeded. At length the door leading into the little room was opened suddenly and a woman's head appeared. It was a fair face, with clear blue eves that scanned anx- tousiy the darkness wherein Andre Chevallier was sheltered. The latter, surprised by the apparition, could nhot repress a sudden cement, and the creaking of the chalr on which he was seated be- d' his presence. T'ttering a cry of fear, the young woman closed the door quickly, and at the sound of a bell rung violently the valets hastened to answer ths summons. Andre Chevallier was discovered, and entering the drawing room £toad motionless upon the threshold, his eves raised in mute supplication. The Marquise de Pompadour, whom he thus surprised. stood behind a gilt table laden with books, engravings and rolls of music. and her haughty mien, accentuated by the flight of years, indicated more anger than fear. Without taking a sten Andre had fallen upon his knees, and in a voica choked with emotion said: “Oh, madame, whoever you may be, pardon an unhappy man from its Continued on Page Twantv-Three,