National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-02-02

agency the ladies o. the castle were placed
under Surpeiiionce. and forbidden TO leave
the place. And presently came to Alfred
the ehastlv news OF the massacre CT til,
prisoners and n scrap liom Lucie. telling
inm that they, too, Ind been arres cd. and
were to ~ taken 10 Bois. half mad with
terror, he let his father in charge of o
nurse. AMI hurried across 10 France His
faithful valet went with him, and helpc !
him with DISCUSSES in getting safely 70
Blois. But once there. what was be to do
Dressed in blouse, with hands and face
stained as If by hard work. he found n
temporary hiding place in the house Of his
vale's unrle-a halt blind, wholly deaf
old man, who knew nothing of what was
going on around him and cared for no
thing. only TO get hi, meals regularly.
Alfred lay had in his concealment for three
days; only gong out at night to join the
mob, who seemed 10 have nothing to do
but 10 patrol the streets, shouting their
frantic songs Of liberty. Alas fJr his dream
OF a glorious revolution This then, was
the end OF it all IA maddcncd moh. the
murder OF innocent women and children,
AMI the cXaltation oi the vilest demago-
CUES His Leart was sick within him. And
on the hill stood the old castle Of Blois.
with its towers aud COURTS. its long aud
proud history, still donating the city bnt
turned into prison, and filled with help
less prisoners, waiting their turn to be
murdered. And Lucie was with them
And the terrible DOyndes had commenced
at Nantes, where Catricrc, the most lruta
of the revolutionary leaders, was crammng
the prisoners into leaiy boats and sending
them out to sink. And in the streets, the
mob oratcrs were already pointing to the
castle, and calling on the people to initiate
the glorors example set them at Nantes.
The valet, FRANCOIS, had not been idle
lie had found an old friend in one of the
eaol"r- of the castle, with whom he re-
newcd acquaintance; and began to drink
with him, ana got him 10 talk Of the pr,s.
oners. From hun he learned that LUCE
and her mother were with the batch who
were expected TO he tiled 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, tco b. learned that they wanted |
some gaolers. Would Francois take the |
place rancols would not, aud had other |
things to do; but would recommend an |
honest friend OF his, who hated aristocrats |
md would he delighted to assist Unlocking |
them mp. Here was a chance-a slender
,ne, il = true, but still chance.
Alfred gladly accepted The perllous post
md, after swearing all sort. of revolution
'ry oaths, succeeded in gaining the conf
icnce Of the bali i-drunkcn gaoler, and cot
he appointment. 1T was not moment
90 socn. Next day the trials began. One
'y one, Alfred and his fellow turnkey
brought out the prisoners to be tried Each
vas sentenced to death. And at six when
he court rose, the names of Madame de
Ionrval and he- damuhtor had nor been
allied. Pierre, the gaolcr, going back
With Alfred, fell TO drinking with a lot OF
is friends. And then desperate resolve
eizcd Alfred He went out OF the gate
ray and presently returned, bearing a
aper with a great air Of business and
urry Pierre growled when he saw HIM. ,
Never mind, comrade," said Alfred l
give me the keys-l can manage alone" I
lie opened the Ioor of the saloon where
he prisoners were gathered round Their :
Ieagre supper-tbe last supper to many
them Standing with bis lantern and l
lper, be shouted IN his harsbest voice
Cheyenne Luce. dite, de Courva"
Lucie started up, and fell upon her L
oth'r's neck. v
" Mother. mother-farewell at last We
all meet IN Heaven. And II you escape q
II Alfred -"
They gathered round the group, and in q
oment Lucie came QUO alone-brave
I'm, ard unshrinking. Alfred held down q
: face, and muttering the words, "By
der of the deputy" pushed her gently o
t and locked the door
As he went through the cutter hall, where o
G men were drinking, Pierre came reeling
ross to see what he was doing. d
= A II right ~ cried Alfred, " will take
I across. In ten minutes we shall be ST
ok, suppose" SC
ok to hi, place. The hall, half filled Oh
tn men. was dim and perfectly lighted el
ey reached the door safely, but over the az
tewav were two faring oil lamps. Their
hit fell full upon Afred's face. LucIe al
rted, and then, forgetting all, she dl
licked and fell upon his neck, crying: IN
Alfred, Alired-my lovc--save me
e me ~
lie made frantic effort to carry bcr
o the darkness; but it was too late. -,
the words "Savc me = the drunken =.
n rushed out in a body, roaring like -,
d beasts; FRANCOIS, who was with A.
m, taking the oppoI tunity to make for nu
nearest dark passage. He, at least, r.,
: never seen in Brest again. N''
The end came soon enough. In less -
e than il takes to write it, Allied was !, .p'
ed, bound, and thrown on the ground. VI
ere Lucie lay scnselc>s. They threw ,e .e'
beside her, and he kissed her cold :"
ek till she clne back to consciousness. 20
IN she turned her sweet eyes upon him, an a.
smiled. 'h'
! burly, red-hcaded blacksmith, mount pr
a chair, proposed that in this case the ca
uty need not be troubled, since the s''
e.tv of the Peopl". which had been in Vo
ed was quite sufficient TO administer ''l'
Tor Itself His proposal was carried es'
reclamation and, the prison hall being ~
conit, the speaker the judge, the sur vi VI
lders the jury. Alfred and Lucic were '"'
ed upon their trial. They unbound tol
haads. lie took LucISs, an | raised it IRA
is lips. of
Le pauore jcuae bomnle - CRED some li"l
lan ~ the crowd. the
Orr RI! mile tOnneres - shouted the zln
e. Who dares TO speak What lei'
ed aristocrat dares talk OF pity 2" wa
here was dead silence and then,
ling 10 the prisoner. he asked Alfred in d,
lder voice, his name. -,
Alfred, son ofthe Marquis dc Ia Liraye" g. -
An aristocrat!' y said the judge, with a ao'
ck of great satisfaction. as
= -, "", w on,n' ~ has
4