A PARISIAN ROMANCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 319, 18 January 1908, Page 3

A PARISIAN ROMANCE.

I'll is story concerns a Russian Grand servant, valet to the Duke. I'or a Grand Duke to be present at any theatre in Paris is not an unusual occurrence, but Mademoiselle Mnriquita, who was taking the leading part in a certain play, was by no means oblivious of the honor. Kyen if at times when she met the attentive gaze of the noble Duke her heart fluttered nervously, she feit that, she herself called forth that attention for the most part. Nor indeed was Mademoiselle Mutiquita mistaken. For before the plav had reached the third act his Higlme/s had decided to express his admiration tor the leading actress in the shape of a bouquet. Such an act, the Grand Duke reflected, was incumbent on his high position.

Wo it came about that on the morrow the (.rand Duke, having instructed his *alet to buy a suitable bouquet, sent the man round to the home of Mademoiselle •Marjqiutu.

"From the Grand l)uke " nounced the valet, as Mademoiselle W ? ' tll , e from the servant, her heait palpitating with mingled joy and pnde at the honor, and noted the neat card attached to the ribbon. On the morning following her next ' lnothcr l)0U( J»et from his

Mademoiselle's joy was unbounded she felt sure, would be carried difficulty thT'Y " lUI " WaS not witlluut 'oi ,; J f S K ' loun(l SHitill,le word 3 loi the \alct to convey to his noble master her thanks.

theatre 1 ' i! )Ukl ' (IUI i,pi)eiU ' ilt tlle Uieatie, it was evident that lie had !l»m T"™ ' tS l" lu< 'l )a ' actress. Sd- \ , (I :n r sed for three weeks withhouo* „ M a - r,V " IK :,t Suet ' aVI " S " tiwtef »«y-™»ged

tint' U r' 1 "?' 1 t0 that it was her duty to call on the (.rand Duke and convey to him persona v her gratitude for the honor. So one afternoon she found herself timidly P'ltron thC prcscnec of to noble

"I am Mariquitashe .aid modestly. an^uXi?* 0 "™ d at 4 Micgni to recall your face," he remarked, while the actress started to pour out her thanks far the n'any bou quets that she had received. "But mademoiselle, you are mistaken," evclaimed the Grand Duke. "1 onh- sent you one bouquet," J "But your Highness' valet brought V 1",?" 1 ' 0 /' insistc(l Mademoiselle Mariquita, "and each time he said the bouquet was from vou."

The Grand Duke commanded the valet to appear.

Have you taken this lady more than one bouquet?" his Highness sternly demanded, and the man eyed the actress with evident consternation. For a minthe valet withstood the questioning I he finally admitted bouquets token the actress many

When I bought the bouquet you ordered, _ the servant confessed in great confusion, "f jiaid two francs for it. Mademoiselle gave me five francs for a tip. And so ''

, " An ! l so >"completed the Grand Duke, .von have been taking her many bouquets and making three francs profit 011 each."