Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-01-29

calling you nv wife. The method propose,
is, think, the safest, and the only remaining
one to be adopted, if you object to being my
wife in reality. Indeed, if you can reconcile
yourself to becoming Madame Santerville, l
will confer upon you wealth. and station, both
of which you merit. Nothing shall be want
ing on my part to make you happy. But if,
as have said, this is repuguant to your feel
ings, assent without delay to the other alter
native which is hnt en- innocent deception
pardonable ruse-a cunning expedlent to
save your fair neck from the guillotine.
Mademoiselle, my time has most expired
must leave you in moment. Decide your
fate by making choice of the alternative
have exhibited to your view."
Santerville manifested impatience; he
walked across the cell, making short pause
at the door. With this movement q paper
fell from his pocket which, with vibrating
motion, dropped softly at the feet of Mademol-
selle. She, followed its descent with her
eyes, and read upon it, when it was at rest
upon the floor, her fathers name and her
own. She hastily picked it up and concealed
it her bosom. Santerville came back and
stood before her to hear her decision. -.
"You tell me that Carrier has promised to
protect you and your family; but what reli-
ance can be placed in the promises of mon.
ster who assassinates women and children u
she said. a55.,
"Monster Oh, Mademoiselle, II beg
of you to think of yourself only!"
That strange expression which Cecile had
80 often noticed-which vas not unlike a
sudden kindliug of passionate clements
passed over Santervile's face.
"Citizen ?" said voice at the door.
/" Who calls ?" Santerville asked, sternly,
and without waiting for o response, passed
into one of the long q ridorS Of the prison,
and Ce~;ln heardbir .onversing in suppressed
tones witu uue. She snatched the paper
from her bosom and read. as follows:
"I have found the hiding place of Fleurian. l
have actually passed an hour and half in his
lair. By this time he is arrested. You need not
whit formal order To night, and-the Loire.
SASTERvILLE."
Madcmosclle Garcinicr held the paper in
her hand long after she had read it; her eyes
we're fixed upon the lines in specchless wonder
and indignation. Now she could see how
they had been betrayed now she could real
ize to some extent the height and depth OF
human depravity! The villainous nature of
Santervile was unmaskcd. She returned the
paper to its hiding. place, hearing the coming
footsteps Of the hypocritc. He came in with
benevolent smile upon his face.
M.demoiselle, you consent 2" he said, ex
tending his hand for the purpose of taking
hers. She rctrcated and motioned him back.
Mademoisclle, l could have urged upon
you a confession of passion that consumes
me, but have rc(rained. / have sacrificed
the lover to the honorable friend. While |
remain silont respecting my passion, suffer
all the martyrdoms Of the hopeless lover; but
respect for you, enhanced by the recollection
Of your hospitality, keeps me dumb"
With flashing eyes ard smile of lofty
scorn, Mademoisclc Garcinier drew the paper
from its sacred repository and held it up be-
fore Santervile. He rccoicd before her in
disnant glances and the mute witness OF his
dctcstablc duplici'y.
"Spy! Informer! Betrayer Of hospitali-
ty! Vioator Of the most sacred trust
Your villainy is known yosr plot unmasked.
Do not stand lJnger in my presence am
prepared for death. Go back to your fellow
murdcrers aud remember, when the hour OF
7our own death approachcs-surcly it cannot
be far distant, tor God will not long permit
such wretch to liYe-tLat you have violated
the most holy of coniilenceS, which ought to
bring upon YOU the exccration Of fall mankind
Villain as he was, he could not stand be-
fore her unabasLcd and without confusion
but quickly calling up his native hardihood'
he made snecring reply. He took ou! his
watch.
Il give you two minutes, Madcmoisclle, to
choose betwc n Inc and the Loire-which
already has three hundred brides i he said,
with terrible calmness.
"Wretch who are you, that you speak ol
life and death with such impericus conf
dcncc ?" cried Cccile.
al" said he, still keeping his eyes fixed
upon the watch, 81 am Jean Baptiste Ca'rier."
Madcmoisclc Garcnier uttered cry oi
horror, and held up her hands as il to thrust
him back out of her sight. She heard the
watch ticking with strange distiuctness.
"The two minutes are fastening to join
the eternity Of minutes behind us" SAID
Carrier.
"The Loire the Loire - answered Cecile
growing calmcr And" she added in a sub
dued voice, "thc only mercy ask is that you
will leave me and send the executioncr."
Carrier replaced the watch in his pocket
and contemplating Mademoiselle thoughtiullT
asked:
"Am I, then more loathsomc than the cx
ecutioncr ?"
$50 loathsome that you will be held in UNI
yersal execra,ion of all mankind u replied
Cecile, averting her eyes to shut out the sigh
of the worst of murderers.
Carrier took paper and pencil from his
pocket, and wrote: =,
at is the order for your bridal" !" he said
with smile of terrible import. "This nigh. A.
YOU will be wedded-to The Loire. Farewell
Madcmoiselle; We shall meet no more"
He left the cell with slow and reluctan,
feet. He wished to give time for her to re-
lent and recall him. He paused and looked
back when he had passed the door; and there
might have been a momentary feeling OF re-
grst in his bosom as he contemplated for the
last fine that pale and beautiful face ant
tue.lke figure. The iron door swung
heavily-Jean Baptiste Carrier had gone.
Left alone, Madernoisellc shed those tcar'
of grief and regret that her situation nau
rally called forth. Having paid tribute tt
the first impulses of nature. she cndcaroret
to prepare her mind for the change beIor'
her. The night closed i'll quite dark, aud th'
shadows crept gloomily into the prison. Ce
cile heard tumult without which increaae'
and drew nearer. She heard persons beatln!
upon the door of the prison, clamorlng i0r IN
slant admission. She heard, also-the bolt
drawn by the jailer aud the rush Of feet int
the prison. =. ,.o,,
"They como to drag us to death!'
Lig hts flashed through the grated windows
"Bring out these traitors u said gru11
voice. "Be quick. Produce them as cal
their names from the list
The speaker paused, and then, in lou
voice commenced calling for his victims
g Panl Fleurian ~