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

IbOI II 1lhDS NJ ~
calling you my wife. The. method I 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, !!
will confer upon you wealth and station, bott
of which you merit Nothing shall be want
ing on my part to make you happy. But II
as have said, this is repugnant to your feel
ings, assent without delay to the other alter
native, which is but an innocent deception
a pardonable ruse-a cunning expedient tc
save your fair neck from the guillotine
Mademoiselle, my time has most expired
must leave you in moment. Decide youl
fate by making choice of the alternative
have exhibited to your view" :,
Santeryille manifested impatience; nc
walked across the cell, making short pause
at the door. With this movement paper
fell from his pocket, which, with a vibrating
motion, dropped softly at the feet of Mademoi.
selle. She followed its descent with hel
eyes, and read upon it, when it.4was at rest
upon the floor, her fathers name and hel
own. She hastily picked it up and concealed
it her bosom. Santerville came back and
stood before her to hear her decision. -.
9You 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 =
she said. .!.i4sss 5.ak 54e.5+s j
aMonster Oh, Mademoiselle, II beg
of you to think of yourself only!" -
That strange expression which Cecile had
20 often noticed (Which vas not unlike a
sudden kindling of passionate clements
passed over Santerville's face.
"Citizen 2n,said arvoice at the door.
Who calls ?" Santerville asked, sternly,
and without waiting for q response, passed
into one of the long corridors of the prison;
and Cecile heard him conversing in suppressed
tones with some one. She snatched the paper
from her bosom and read, as follows:
"I have found tho hiding place of Fleurian.
have actually passed an hour and half in his
lair. By this time he is arrested You need not
wait formal order. To night, and-the Loire
SASTEnvILLE."
Mademoiselle Garcinier held the pa, :: in
her hand long after she had read it; her eyes
we're fixed upon the lines in speechless 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 vllainous nature of
Santerville was unmaskcd. She returned the
paper to its hiding place, hearing the coming
footsteps of the hypocritc. He came in with
o benevolent smile upon his face. ,le,
Mademoiselle, you consent? 2" he saidi ex'
tending his hand for the purpose of taking
hers, She retrcated and motioned him back.
Mademoisclle, I could have urged upon
you confession of passion that consumes
Inc, but l have refrained. i have sacrificed
the lover to the honorable friend. While l
remain silont respecting my passion, suffer
all the martyrdoms Of the hopelesslovcr; but
respect for you, enhanced by the recollection
of your hospitality, keeps me dumb"
With flashing eyes and smile of lofty
scorn, Mademuiscllc Garcinier drew the paper
from its sacred repository and held it up be-
fore Sautervile. He rccoiled before her in
dignant. glances and the mute witness of his
detcstable duplici.y.
"Spy! Informerl / Betrayer Of hospilali.
ty! Volator of the most sacred trust
Your villainy is known ; yosr plot unmasked.
Do not stand longer in my presence | am
prepared for death. Go back to your fellow
murderers; and remember, when the hour of
your own death pproaches-Surcly it cannot
be far distant, for God will not long permit
such a wretch to live-that you have violated
the most holy of condolences, which ought to
bring upon YOU the exccration ofall mankind
Villain az lie was, he could not stand be-
fore her unabasLcd and without confusion !;
but quickly calling up his native hardihood,
he made snecriug reply. Lie took out his
watch.
"I give you two minutes, Mademoiselle, to
choose betwe Inc aud the Lore-whch
already has three hundred brides II he said,
with terrible calmness.
Wretch who are you, that you speak Of
life and death with such impericus conf
dencc?" cried Cecile.
al" said he, still keeping his eyes fixed
upon The watch, IL am Jean Baptiste Cu,rier.n
Madcmoisello Garciuier uttered q cry OF
horror, and held up her hands as il to thrust
him back out of her sight. Size heard the
watch ticking with strange distiuctness.
"The two minutes are fastening to join
the eternity of minutes behind U.S." said
Carrier.
"The Loire the Loire |" answered Cecile,
growing calmcr And" she added in 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 thoughtfullY,
asked: ..f xxx
cam I, then moro loathsomc than the ex-
ecutioner ?"
$50 loathsome that you will be held in uni:
versal execration of all mankind !" replied
Cecile, avcrting her eyes to shut out the sight
of tie worst of murderers.
Carrier took paper and pencil from his
pocket, and wrote: :,
1T is the order for your bridalln he said
with smile of terrible import. 9This night
you will be wedded-to The Loire. Farewell,
Mademoiselle; we shall meet no more"
He left the cell with slow and reluctant
feet. Be 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 time that pale and beautiful face and
s,atue-like figure. The iron door swung
heavily-Jean Baptistc Carrier had gone.
Left alone, Mademoisellc shed those tears
of grief and regret that her situation naiu-
rally called forth. Having; paid tribute to
the first impulses of nature. she endeaYored
to prepare her mind for the change before
her. The night closed in quite dark, and the
shadows crept gloomily into the prison. Ce,
cile heard tumult without, which increased
and drew nearer. She heard persons beating
upon the door of the prison, clamoring for in
slant admission. She heard, also--the bolts
drawn by the jailer and the rush of feet into
the prison. Il. ,e
aThey are murdcrers ~ she said to herself.
They como to drag us to death p
Lights flashed through the grated windows;