The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-02-19

us by that feminine remedy, cup Of tea
Diana smiled sorrowfully as we mad,
room for her. - ..-'.-
4 4" You see, mes anis, my courage
won't hold out much lor ger," she said
quietly. -.
Mrs. March looked at her an instant
ane then tasted her tea. But instead ot
drinking it she set it down and turned
white. Diana sprang up instantly.
! "Are you ill, mamma ?''
Mrs. March smiled weakly, gasped
out no, and tainted. This was the end
of our piteous attempt at hilarity. The
mother and daughter went to thei,
rooms. Within half an hour thun.
dering knock shook the door.
"Put out your lights and throw open
your shutters u was the order, and we
were forced to obey. The ladies came
down into the salon then, and there we
watched the long night through. Mrs.
March dozed uneasily, and Diana
looked wretchedly anxious. We all
crouched silently by the windows, and
saw the flames break out here and there
along the street, heard the execrations
| and howls of agony as some poor
wretch, caught in the act of setting fire,
was led away to the-n next port. Then a
shot and we knew it was all over with
him. :.
Once sharp piercing woman's shrek
drove us all to the window instantly
There, in the midst of blaze which
had suddenly sprung up, in the centre
of the binding, merciless light stood q
tall beautiful girl, her black hair stream
ing on her shoulders, her face alight
and neble, ~ . Is
s"What have you in your pocket ?'
yelled the soldiers who had taken her in
charge. el ,.-...l.-. -...-. d ,ve
"Only little kindling for my fire,
she said, with sad smile.
They sprang upon her, they clutched
at her like wild beasts, and down fell
the hidden bottle of petroleum, and up
went the most demoniac yell that ever
smote my ears. 1t was we'll that bold
officer had charge of her. The musket
shot which rang out five minutes after
ward was kinder than those madmen
would have been. Think of our tender
hearted women compelled to hear and
know all this !
But worse was to come. It wanted
only an hour of daylight when Mrs.
March, moaning and tossing uneasily
about, half uttered a wish for some
cooling refreshing drink. .e.
Our own stores were exhausted, but
there was wineshop around the cor
ner. The seller knew us and would
oblige us in our need.
"I will go!" said Roger March. NJ.
Tvanhoff arose.
"Remain here, M. Roger, and let me
have the pleasure of serving the ladies'"
the foolish pr;do Of youth. "Tt &c ,.ay
place to care for my relations"
"You must not go" said Diana. "It
is as much as your lives are worth to
venture into the street, .-.-..
Her tone was full of tender anxiety,
her sweet face beseeching and sorrow
full. .-T
The count saw and thought it was all
for his rival. He went swiftly up to
Diana, took her hand, bowed low over
it, and turning hurriedly, went out.
With an exclamation Roger followed
him.
We ran to the window to watch. The
whole street was as light as day, and
we saw the two side by side, saw them
stopped once, twice and allowed to
pass on. They entered the shop. A
little interval of silence and waiting,
and they came out again, and arm in
arm came down the street.
Just then there turned in from the
grand boulevard squad of the Yer
saillais, ferce-looking, bloodthirsty
men, their passions only whetted by the
carnage in which they had shared.
1t was under our bay-window that our
friends were stopped and interrogated.
We saw the bottle of wine plucked
from Rogers breastpocket.
cit is only wine, monsieur!" said
Roger. -.-.t
"Devil's winel' said the command
ant, and an ominous growl went up
from the soldiers. s'
Swift as thought, Diana broke from
my OBTAINING hand and fled down
stairs. followed speedily, and was in
time to see her fling the house door
wide open. But too late, ah, forever
too late for such heavenly meditation
as she proposed. --.
In the space of an instant Roger was
wrenched away from his friend and
faced against the wall. The muskets
were raised, the shot screamed through
the air. - -.,-S ,..t .- p. .-..
"My God, o my Godp
The cry was from Rogers lips when
he stood unharmed. M. Ivanhoff had
sprung forward, and, interposing his
own body, received the whole fire.
A cry rang out:
~" Soldiers, hold your hands"
/ knew the voice.
"Captain Diderot, is it you?"
Felix Diderot was an old FELLOWSHIP
dant' and knew me- we'll He listAned
now with regret to my explanation.
A cruel blunder. Guards, carry
the man inr'
They took up M. Ivanhoff and laid
him in the hall. Then the tide ebbed
and We were alone-alone in the pres
ence of the great mystery which every
where hens in our mortal being.
The pale gray dawn shone in. 1t fell
on the gargoyles and grifins of uncouth
shape, which decorated the stately hall;
and it lay on the upturned face of the
dying man. c,-.,
lana, knelt on the marble floor by
his side, blindly striving to, stanch the
blood which, flowing from his noble
heart, stained her white garments.
1t is useless, but it does not mat
ter. 80 die willingly, since it was to
save him whom you love-" he said,
while his eager eyes looked their last
upon her face. ri
But something rang out low and
clear-something that even her heart
broken sobs could not hinder. ~.
80 Ivan, Ivan, it is ,you whom I
love |" -. ,-ga.<E
A sudden illumination overswept, his