Connecticut western news., 1872-01-26


 less prisoners, waiting their turn to be murdered. And Lucie was with them And the terrible noyades had commenced } at Nantes, where Carriqre, the most brutal of the revolutionary leaders, was crammime the prisoners into leaky boats and sending them out to sink. And in the streets, the mob oraters were already pointing to the castle, and calling on the people to initiate the glorious example set them at Nantes.
 The valet, Francnis, had not been idle He had found an old friend in one of the gaolcrs of the castle, with whom he re- newed acquaintance; and began to drink with him, and got him to talk of the pris- oners. From him he learned that Lucie and her mother were with the batch who were expected 10 be tried in few days Hope, of course, there was none for any of them or, if hope, the hope that their death would be less cruel than those at Nantes. From him, too he learned that they wanted some gaolers. Would Francois take the place. Franeois would not, and had other things to do; but would recommend an honest friend of his, who hated aristocrats, and would be delighted to assist in locking them up Here was chance-a slender one, it is true, but still chance.
 Alfred gladly accepted the perilous post and, after swearing all sorts of revolution ary oaths, succeeded in gaining the conti- dence of the half-drunken gaoler, and got the appointment. It was not moment too soon. Next day the trials began. One by one, Alfred and his fellow turnkey brought out the prisoners to be tried. Each was sentenced to death. And at six when the court rose, the names of Madame de COurval and Der daughter had not been called. Pierre, the gaolcr, going back with Alfred, fell to drinking with 8 lot of his friends. And then a desperate resolve seized Alfred. He went out of the gate way, and presently returned bearing d paper with great air of business and hurry. Pierre growled when he saw him.
 "Never mind, comrade," said Alfred ; "give me the keys-l can manage alone"
 He opened the door of the saloon where the prisoners were gathered round their meagre supper-the last supper to many of them! Standing with his lantern and paper, he shouted in his harshest voice
 "Citoyenne Lucie, dite, de Corval"
 Lucie started up, and fell upon her mothers neck.
 " Mother, mother-farewc]l at last! We shall meet in Heaven. And if you escape tell Alfred
 They gathered round the group, and in a moment Lucie came out alone-brave calm, ard unshrinking. Alfred held down his face, and muttering the words, "By order of the deputy" pushed her gently out and locked the door.
 As he went through the outer hall, where the men were drinking, Pierre came reeline across to sec what he was doing.
 ''All rightH' cried Alfred, {" I will take her across. In ten minutes we shall be back, suppose"
 All seemed going we'll. Pierre went back to his place. The hall, half filled with men, was dim and impelfcctly lighted. They reached the door safely, but over the gateway were two f1aring oil lamps. Their light fell full upon Alfred's face. Lucle started, and then, forgetting all, she shrieked and fell upon his neck, crying:
 " Alfred, Altred-my love--eave me save me p
 He made a frantic effort to carry her into the darkness; but it was too late At the words "Save me p the drunken men rushed out in a body, roaring like wild beasts; Francois, who was witt them, taking the oppol tunity to make fol the nearest dark passage He, at least was never seen in Brest again.
 The end came soon enough. In les: time than it takes to write it, Alfred was seized, bound, and thrown on the ground where Lucie lay scnselcss. They threw him beside her. and be kissed her colo check till she came back to consciousness Then she turned her sweet eyes upon him and smiled.
 A burly, red-headed blacksmith, mount ing chair, proposed that in this case the deputy need not be troubled, since the Majesty of the People, which had been in suited, was quite sufficient to administel law for itself. His proposal was carried by exclamation and, the prison hall being the court, the speaker the judge, the sur rounders the jury, Alfred and Lucic were placed upon their trial. They unbound his hands. He took Lucie's, and raised il to his lips.
 "Ls paurre ,jeune homme!" cried some woman r1 the crowd.
 "Cr-r-1-e! mille tonneTes !' shouted tht judge. "Who dares to speak Wha, cursed aristocrat dares talk of pity 2"
 There was a dead silence and then turning to the prisoner, he asked Alfred il a milder voice, his name.
 Alfred, son the Marquis de la Liraye.'
 "An aristocrat p said the judge, with smack of great satisfaction.
 "An aristocrat l am by birth. It k quite useless, suppose, to urge that ar a republican by opinion"
 "Do not attempt te deceive the court, said the judge.
 "I will not. This young lady is m, betrothed. You put her in prison, being perfectly innocent and helpless. You would have murdered her. l have come iron England
 "The land of Pitt," growled the judge
 "Frcm England, to save her, if could I have failed. You may now If you please murder us both.''
 to look calmly judicial, Git is my opinion that the prisoner condemns himsef-frst cenfessing that he Is an aristocrat; anc secondly, insulting the Majesty of the Peo pie by calling US murderers." "You certainly are,'' observed Alfred with calm smile.
 , All this time he was holding Lucie by the hand. She looked straight up at him , and never moved.
 "Deathn' shouted the blacksmith. . There was a fierce howl from the by , islanders; but many were silent, and som i of the women were furious. Lucie fell upon Allred's neck. "They will let me die first, Alfred, 5 she whispered. q cannot bear to see then kill you"
 , Citoyens," said the judge, "as tn ? prisoner came to Blois with the o2ject C g taking the ex-aristocrat out of her prison a l should propose that they die together s His object will thus be gained" f A hurried consultation followed, an S Pierre came slouching forward with rope - "Are we to be hanged, ex-comrade ? :. asked Alfred, with laugh. g "Why, no," said Pierre. "A cruel tric1 e you tried to play us. But forgive you 3 Pierre forgives. The Majesty of the Peopl