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

with sneer.
"The thought was in your heart; /
read it in your expression. How dare
you come here, fresh from the work of
slaughter 2"
may, be not so resentful, fair Vir-
ginie," returned Leduc in more eoncil-
iatory tone. " / never have sought your
life, NIademoiselle, though / have been
so presumptuous as to seek your hand. "
"A presumption which you may not
repeat. / would wed the guillotine in
preference p
Mademoiselle, reflect, l am but a
man: may do something rash, and
which may regret when it is too late.''
Virginie grew pale. Leduc had spo-
ken the truth. One suspected person in
a family consigned the rest to the same
accusation.
81 had hoped that you were not so bad,
]
citizen Leduc; that one could speak TO
you freely and trust you. l was mista-
ken. Make out your list and place my
name at the top"
Mademoiselle, I had rather marry
than denounce you. Come, now, which
shall it be ?"
| Jean tried TO put on an air of good hu-
NOR and speak playfully. Citizen Du-
pree came in.
Father, citizen Leduc threatens to
denounce me to the terrible Tribunal, y
said Virginie.
81 did but jest" said Jean, coloring.
Dupree glanced at the latter and his
daughter. To conceal the alarm which
he felt, he laughed loudly.
GA pretty joke, Jean! 1t was vel
! thought of. Denounce your future
A look from the fair daughter checked
him. He was much perturbed.
" "Citizen Leduc, it has been a grea
r day. The allies are beaten back. Th,
$ French are triumphant" he said, to re
: lieve his embarrassment.
II know it, returned Leduc suddenly
at is no news to me-"
= With these words he arose and left ab
o ruptly, leaving Dupree full of misgiv
e ings.
is AT dark, hearing the clang of arm;
r Yirginie looked out and saw some Frenc
e soldiers entering the onthouse where th
g refugee was concealed, to pass the nigh
This spectacle excited the liveliest ar
ie prehensions in the mind of the generou
y young woman. A
a. length, when she beheld the soldiers wei
r asleep, she softly approached the COZ
IS, cealment of the unfortunate young ma
to and informed him of the new danger,
ID which he already had a tolerable coneel
in ton. She was conducting him from tt
h, outhouse, when one of the soldiers sprar
up and seized the refugee by the han
lr- Who is there ?"
at is 1.-The daughter of citizen D
he pree," said Virginie, quickly interposiI
n herself between the refugee and soldit
"Beg your pardon, Mademoiselle.
I" had Just fallen into slumber, and W
for dreaming of those rascally refugees, VIII
Do your light step disturbed me-"
to "My father" she said, when they we
at safe distance from the place, " is Sc
fu- ton of church in this vicinity. / ha
au- the keys, and there will conduct y
ife. 1t is the securest asylum L can think
in 1 know not that you will be safe ev
ne, there, but can do nothing better"
Mademoiselle, dispose of me as y
us. think best, except give me life at
| price of your own. On that conditiol
OF would not accept il"
ma She unlocked and entered the chur
then lighted small lamp which she
dimly along the deserted aisles. She
till the way to the altar, behind which wa
my trap door, so ingeniously contriyed {
it was not easily distinguished from otl
she portions of the floor. There was va
can beneath the church, and the door opel
her upon narrow staircase leading to it.
ted, dark and gloomy passage was before h
and The confined air escaping through
aperture had the odor of the char
an house. He instinctively shuddered.
hes "Take courage, Monsieur, and desc
to the vault. The dead are there; t
lib are harmless, but the living are not
ven The ashes of distinguished family
tier. deposited below"
ran Virginie placed the lamp in his b
and added
ome "I win come to you as soon as
anc- without being observed. To-morr
can Brussels win be full Of soldiers. 1t
Vir- be dIincuit 10 move abroad but, A
sieur, 1 VIII not desert you. / do