The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-02-05


under surreilialcs and forbidden to leave
the place, And presently came to Alfred
the CHASTITY news of the massacre Of the
prisoners; and a scrap from Lucie, telling
hm that they, too, had been arrested, and
were to be taken to BlOis. Half mad with
terror, he left his father in charge of a
nurse, and hurried across 10 France. His
faithful valet went with him, and helped
him with DISCUSSES in getting safely to
BlOis. But once there, what was he to do I
Dressed In blouse, with hands and face
stained us il by hard work. he found n
temporary hiding place in the house of his
valet's uncle-a halt blind, wholly deaf
old man, who knew nothing of what was
going on around himi and cared for no.
thing, only to get his meals regularly.
Alfred lay hid in his conccalment for three
days; only going out at night to join the
mob, who seemed 10 have nothing to do
but to patrol tho streets, shouting their
frantic songs Olliberty. Alas for his dream
Of aglorions revolution ! This, then, was
the end oil It all "A maddenCd mob, the
murder Of innocent women and children,
aud the cxnltation Of the yilest demago-
CUES Ills heart was sick within him. And
on the bill stood the old castle of BlOis,
with is towers and courts, its long and
proud history, still donating the city-but
turned into a prison, and filled with help
less prisoners, waiting their turn to be
murdered And Lucie was with them !
And the terrible noydtes had commenced
ut Nantes, where CarriFrc, the most brutal
Of the revolutionary leaders, was examining
the prisoners into lcaky boats and sending
them out to sink And in the streets, the
mob otaterS were already pointing to the
castle, and calling on the people to initiate
the glorious example set them at Nantes.
The valet, FRANCOIS, had not been idle
lie hal found an old friend in one Of the
gaolcrs of the castle, with whom be re-
newed acquaintance; and began to drink
with him, and got him to talk of the pris.
ouers. From him he learned that Lucic
and her mother were with the batch who
were expected to he tried in few days.
Hope, Of course, there was none for any Of
them ;Or, IL hope, the hopO that their death
would be less cruel than those at Nantes.
From him, too he learned that they wanted
some gaolcrs. Would Francois take the
place2 FRANCOIS would not, and had other
things 70 do; but would recommend IN
honest friend oi hls, who hated ariStocrats,
and would be delighted to assist in locking
them up. Here was chance-a slender
one, i y true, but still a chance.
Alfred gladly accepted the perilous post :
and, after swearing all sorts Of revolution
ary oatls, succeeded in gaining the conii-
dencs OF the hall'drunkcn eaoler, and got
the appointment. 1t was not IL moment
too soon. Next day the trials began. One
by one, Alfred and his fellow turnkey
brought out the prisoners 70 be tried. Each
was sentenced to death. And at six when
the court rose, the names Of Madame de
Courval and her daughter had not been
called. Pierre, the gaolcr, going back
with Alfred, fell to drinking with lot Of
his friends. And then desperate resolve
seized Alfred. He went out OF the gate
way, and presently returned, bearing u
P'P' "it' E''"' W. " ""7'"'S' "''"
hurry. Pierre growled when he saw him.
"Ncver mind, comradc," said Aired !
"givc me the keys-l can manage alone"
lie opened the door of the saloon where
the prisoners were gathered round their
incagre supper-the last supper to many
Of them! Standing with bis lantern and
paper he shouted in his harshest voice
LCitoyenne Lncie, dite, dc Courval."
Lucic started IN, and fell upon her
mothers neck.
Mother, mothcr-iarewell at last We
shall meet in Heaven. And il YOU escape
tell Alired-n
They gathered round the group, and in
moment Lucie came out alone-bayc,
calm, and unshrinking Alfred held down
his face, and mutterine 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 reelinr
across to sec what he was doing.
Gan right p cried Alfred, g will take
her across. In ten minutes we shall be
back, suppose"
All seemed going well. Pierre went
back to his place. The hall, half filled
with men, was dim and imperiectly lighted.
They reached the door safely, but over the
gateway were two ilaring oiI lamps. Their
light fell full upon Alrfed's face. Luce
started, and then, forgetting all, she
and fell upon his neck, crying:
"Alired, Allred-my loyc--save me
save me!r
lie made a frnntic effort to carry her
into the darkness; but it wns too late.
At the words "sayc me y the drunken
men rushed out in body, roaring like
wild beasts; Francois, who was with
them, taking the opportunity to make for
the nearest dark passage. lie, at least,
was never seen in Tirpst nnain.