Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-05-29


For several days she baaled the Ar
yus eyes Of the mean-spirited Leduc,
and brought de Montreuil food. One
night she came to him at later hour
han usual. |
You must leave this place she said
8 You can remain here no longer in safe |
ty. Disguise yourself in |
these garments, and buckle On this short
sword, which is stained with blood. IfI
you are seen, join the murderers boldly, |
and affect to be one Of them. Cry
Long live the Republic, and boast of
your exploits"
at is well planned; 1 win follow your
said Montreuil.
They parted at the door of the church,
Montreuil leaving his hiding place with
a sigh of regret.
Reaching home, Virginie found the
odious Leduc awaiting her coming.
" Mademoiselle Dupree, you go out at
unreasonable hours. To secure your
safety, you should condescend to accept of
my companionship," he said, regarding
her suspiciously.
"When wish for your guardianship,
| will not scruple to ask it" she replied.
at is my duty to warn you that you
are suspected" resumed Jean.
Suspected?"
You are no longer safe," he added.
Traitor p exclaimed Virginie, indig-
nantly.
"Your fate is in my hands! Madame
Leduc will be safe-Virginie, the sex
tons daughter, viii go to prison.
Lett be the prison. God be praised
for the choice. l am ready call youl
accompice."
"I have sent detachment Of soldier
to find out whoever may be secreted il
the church, answered Jean, coldly.
"And have you succeeded ?"
"Doubtless. Nothing can escape tn
Iprying eyes of soldiers. You were OBJ
tserved coming from the church las
might"
Virginie breathed more freely. Sh
knew that the search of the soldiers ha
iproved fruitless.
Give me time to reflect on your Pre-
posal. Your abruptness has somewha
perplexed me, Monsieur"
What time do you require p
"Three days"
You shall have two"
"That is short time, but tie day afte
: tomorrow you shall know my decision" +"
The sexton came in at that momen
and triumphantly related how he ha
cleared himself from the charge that ha
been made against him.
l Leduc was confused and disappointe
To Virginie his chagrin was very ev
! dent.
"You have suffered injustice, and
) shall be mine to see that your faithfu
: ness to the Revolution is adequately r
warded.''
S With this assurance Leduc took lEy
+ bestowing on Virginie as he departed
significant look.
Early in the morning Leduc appear
} with some papers.
@My friend, you are to go to Parit
he said, addressing Dupree with eve
u appearance of friendship. @The Co
L mittee have appointed you agent to
'e Revolutionary Tribunal"
Dupree expressed himself grea
pleased with this mark of confidence,
tie suspecting the true designs of Led
His daughter, more discriminating, p
- ceiyed that her prosecutor wished to {
!, him out of the way, to render her me-
helpless and dependent.
" Father, this is a nefarious plot
N ruin us g' said Virginie, when Jean b
-rlleft the house. "This bad man ]
u threatened to send us all TO the scaffc
On If you go to Paris, we must go W
be you"
nd She proceeded to unmask Leduc's p
pose, relating the conversation of the P
,t- vious night, to the great terror of
er father.
"What objections have you to mar
ed ing Jean p he asked.
"He's an assassin, and prefer de
ng to an assassion. Ny choice is very
di- reyocable. You can assist me to ba
in the wretch, or leave me to my fate.
he the voice of nature decide"
he virginie spoke with with frmness
not Her father strove in vain TO shake
resolution. Ii was finally arranged I
they should leave Brussels the ensu
er- night, taking all the money they /