Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-01-22
THE SECRET VAULT.
A Tale Of the French Revolution.

| A Tale of the French Revolution
nCan you entertain wayfarcr, for the night,
Mademoiselle? Jc7 .csEa& 4
"Come in, Monsieur, and wait the return
of my father he will come soon. The times
are critical, but think he will not refuse the
hospitalities of his umble house to stranger"
IL thank your courtesy, Mademoiselle.
That the times are perilous, who can doubt
One scarcely knows whom to trust"
The stranger followed the young woman
into the house, In years he was, evidently,
past thirty, he, might have been thirty-tlve or
six. His manners were not awkward, neither
were they very polished. His features, though
not prepossessing, had the stamp OF energy,
not unmixed with cunning. -
81 am nota stranger at Nantes. Is the
rebellion crushed, Mademoiselle7" Z" he asked,
regarding with some curiosity tie pretty face
of Madcmoiselle Garcni II.
"Citizen, cannot tell you whether the re-
bellion is crushed. l know that the Yende-
ans are beaten, and that the Revolutionary
| Tribunal is preparing to punish Nantes for
its participation in the insurreclion," she
| answered.
"Think you the people of Nantes ought to
suffer ?" continued the stranger.
"That question will leave to be decided
ty the authorities. ] am not politician,
Monsieur" returned Mademoiselle Garcinier,
calmly.
ooh, Mademoiselle, do not fear TO express
yourself freely. am not an informer. Ny
name is Santerville. Lam sicple-minded,
unambitious citizen. do not trouble myself
much about the government. l follow thc
lead of the strongest party, usually, and love
peace and quiet. Blood and carnage shock
one."
Mademoisellc Gardner looked steadily at
Santerville, and was disposed 20 credit his as
sertions. .f--.- =.
aMademoisel!e, what is your fathers name?'
"Garcinier."
| .Ard yours ?"
"Cecile" 3
"Pardon my inquisitiveness. Your conr-
|. tesy made me anxious to know to whom | an
( Indebted. will not forget the name OF einr
| cinier." s.z; -.
| Santeryille pronounced these words Will
such an air of admiration that Cecile coul-
not but observe it. Luckily her father cam'
| in at that moment and relieved her of be;
embarrassment. Santeryille made known Ll'
wishes. -
ain times like these, Monsieur, or citizen
Tor whatever it may please you to be called,
to give nights hospitality to the weary
wayfarer, may be attended with the most un'
happy consequences" replied Garcnier, col
oring. @a- '@N -
"Very true; but in this case you have
nothing to fear. am in favor of the Revo
luton. Yesterday I shouted Long live tn:
lRepublic' till was hoarse," answered Sat
tervile, quietly. :.
at is already dark; and although the de
cencies and humanites Of life are trampls'
under foot. in distracted France-once. th'
most courteous nation in the world will
not be churlish. Citizen"
"Santerville."
| @Citizen Santerville, remain with US til
morning. Cec;lo, set bread and wine befor
our guest. We will remember only tho in
junction, Be courteous to strangers. -
The stranger accepted these civilitles wit
apparent thankfulness. He conversed freel.
concerning thevsried movements of the Rev
olutiou, displaying an Intimate knowledge G
| all the battles that had been fought by tn
French army. lie was we'll acquainted wit
the different engagements that had take
place on the banks Of the Loire, between th
3 / Tendeans and the forces sent to subdue them
He talked Of the prisons ut Paris, and Of tn
executions with the utmost sang froid. 80
II Cecile found it difficult to reconcile his IL
difference with his declaration that be revolte
| from blood. She experienced feeling of-re
lief, when he manifested a. desire toretir
Her father took lamp to show him to To
apartment where he was TO pass the nigh
He paused on the threshold, and contempla
. ing the graceful figure of Cecile an iustsn
> bade her good ME ght with grateful smlc-
n which she long remembered; subsequel
n \ events brought it often to her memory.
He arose early in the morning and breal
. tasted with the family Of Garcinier, conver
e ing as freely as on tue previous night. II
manners, if there was any perceptible chang
were more frank and friendly. AS he w'
sboutto' depart, he said, in low voice
Cecile, whom he approached for that purpos
Mademoiselle Garcinier, it is possib
chance may bring us together again. II
WOrlQ lS So sCuduSeiu' ehoo ~ -" 49, S.SJ
imagine what may transpire in the inevltab
course Of events" -,
"You say well, Monsieur Santerville.
auctuating are events, that we may meet
prison, or before the Committee" she q
swered, with affected gaiety. ~
81 will hope for less terrible mcetinl
n although the streets Of Nantes may yet ft
with blood" -
Of The closing portion of this period he pr
q. nouncca slowly and thoughtfully, bis fa
is ligh,ing up with sort Of fierce animation.
in Garcini, ,r and his guest stepped into t
at neat little garden in front of the house, VIII
Cecile stood in the door. - = ~
ULook, Citizen Santerville! T. said the f(
n. mer, pointing toward the roofs and spires
~ Nantes. See Nantes reposing quietly
- the bank of the Loire.A Thelsun is shini
t. pleasantly upon it,, God forbid that it sho!
:. suffer greater evils than have, ,befallen it: M
r. r. those who, haye the power, in wrath rene
ber mercy =; I'd. ss,.eF,sr ~ T'tiF7E'
/. The stranger shrugged his shoulders q
81 m 4