Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-02-15
WHOLE NU MBER 695.
40 Louis, say it isn't Paul p

the candle, knclt by the coffin and be.
gan examining it carefully, and I did
the same. There were small holes in
the lid, and it was deeper than coffins
usually are, while at the back there was
a large air hole, carefully concealed by
the fringe of the lid. began to un-
derstaEd its use, and so did Pauline.
"Now then, Antoine, listen to me"
monsieur said, as he looked up with
horrible satisfaction from his examina-
tion. " | was not to be deceived by
that kind advice to fly from France
| knew we'll enough what would hap
pen, and | would rather face them all
here with my sword in mv hand than
be fired at in flight. II should be ar
rested by order of the Convention. /
also know my fate. This is what |
propose doing: if strangers come to
the chateau, you must 1--WE out that
am dead, and Immediately close the
coffin lid on me and bury me in the
vault in the chapel If Paul comes
with them, you need only place me in
the coffin, and leave him and me to do
the rest. You can let me stay safely
in the vault for twelve hours; but alter
that, Antoine, Pauline, my blood will
be upon your heads There, now go;
leave me alone. for Gods sake p
3" cannot, | cannot hear of such a
dreadful, wicked thingr Pauline be-
gan, clasping her little white hands en-.
treatingly. 90 Louis, listen to me;
hide while there is time-hide! y
"And what hiding place within ten
leagues of the chateau does not Paul
kDow?' fercely interrupted her bro
ther.
40 Louis, he is not so bad r Pauline
said piteously. "Only try, and | will
watch, and pray him"
"Be silent, and 20 to bed. Do not
preach to me; my mind is made up"
monsieur answered sternly; and then
he went ont Of the room; and as nei-
ther | nor the poor Young lady liked to
! bealone with that hideous thing, we al
so went away to another part of the
house.
"Oh, that these awful days were
over!" Pauline murmurcd as she went
into her own room.
But they were not over yet; they
were only beginning.
The sun rose the next morning as
bright and glowing as if it rose upon
Paradise rather than great bloody
France reeking like slaughter house.
could scarcely bear to look ont on the
brightness; still it was some comfort
to see that in the sunshine the country
looked peaceful and quiet as usual;
that between the trees there was no
sign of glittering arms or terrible uni
form.
took a cup OF coffee to monsieur's
room as early as possible. but found
him occupied in writing, and could not
induce him to take it.
keep it for twenty four hours hence,
Antoine, " he said; Il would dare wa
ger | shall want it then. Remember,
Antoine he added, twelve hours at
furthest; for your life remember that"
Monsieur looked at the black coffin
lying at his feet as bespoke and ! shud-
dered.
Just then Pauline called ne softly;
and when | went to her. she bcckoned
me to the window where she was
standing.
Look out to the west, Antoine;
do you see anything ?" she said, in a
quiet, frightened tone.
| did look, and saw faint glitter
ng far away along the Bordeaux road.
"Mademoiselle, they are comingw
| said. feeling a great throb at my
heart.
She grasped my hand, and away we
both flew to NJ. Louis room.
| think he had seen the gittering,
too, for we found him hastily arran-
ging his room, shutting the jalousies,
and giving it as much as possible the
tim, tidy look of death room.
Then with trembling hands we ar.
rayed him in the death clothes, placed
the coffin on the trestles in the centre
of the floor, and him in it.
He had small vial in his band,
and as he lay there his face looked so
corpse-like, that l should scarcely
have been afraid of NJ. Paul himself
seeing it. Then, calling in the other
young ladies, to whom mademoiselle
had already explained the danger, |
left the room- to watch for the ap-
proach of the soldiers, and give the
alarm whether NJ. Paul was with them
or not.
| shall never forget the terrible
anxiety of that watching. 1t seemed
as if they would never come, and yet
they were moving, moving, ever mo-
, wing along the road.
Then | lost sight of them in the
pine wood, and that seemed an awful
moment when | again saw then-yes,
, , absolutely within the chateau grounds.
Was Monsieur Paul with them? /
looked attentively. Yes, riding lit
tie apart from the rest, there be was,
not daring to look up with his traitor
eyes on the home of his ancestors.
| left the window, and flew rather
than ran up stairs.
Monsieur Paul is therel" l ex-
: claimed, rushing into the room, and
then with one hasty glance at the cof-
. fn-when | saw the occupant raise
the vial to his lips-I ran down stairs
to the court yard, where the soldiers
e were already dismounting from their
D horses. As the Captain called out for
. Citizen Louis Gaule, aud the rest be-
gan entering the house, NJ. Paul beck
Y oned me aside, and, while he pretend
r ed to follow them, whispered:
y "Has he escaped? God grant that
a he has y
t "He has, monsieur" | answered
!. solemnly; he died not an hour ago
by his own hand. Rest his soulp'
n For an instant Paul started back in
: pale consternation; then he seized my
e arm, exclaiming:
o "This is some trick Louis is not
!? the man to kill himself. Confess the
d truth, Antoine, and | will do what !
d can to keep up the deception"
1t | was taken aback by his soft, sad