The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1874-07-30
the ExECuTloNER.
Adapted from the French Of Balzac. I
nv " n DAVENPORT

The clock Of the town had Just an.
nounced midnight, when young French
officer, leaning on the parapet of long
terrace which bordered the gardens Of
the chateau of Menda, appeared lost in
contemplation. A charming valley
rolled coquettishly to where he stood.
Leaning upon an orange tree in full
flower, he could see below him the city
of Menda, which seemed placed in shell
ter from the wind of the north, at the
foot of the rock on which the chateau
was built. Turning his head he per-
ceived the sea, whose shining waters
surrounded the landscape with silver
frame. The chateau was illuminated.
Mingled with the distant murmur of the
waves there came to his ears the Joyous
sounds of ball, orchestral strains, the
laughter of officers and ladies.
The chateau of Menda belonged to a
grandee of Spain, who, with his
family lived therein. During the
whole evening the eldest of his daugh-
tiers had regarded the officer with looks
ofsuch sad interest that it was but
natural that they should beget in him
the spirit ofreverie. Clara was beauti-
full, and although she had three broth
ers and sister, the wealth of the
Marquis de Leganes appeared sufi-
GENTLY great to induce the belief in
Victor Marchand that the young lady
would have large dowry. But how
could he suppose that the daughter of
an old hidalgo, the most proud in all
Spain of his nobility, could be given to
the son of a Paris grocer9 Besides, the
French were hated. The Marquis
having been suspected by General G.,
who governed the province, Of preparing
revolt in favor Of Ferdinand VII, the
battalion commanded by Victor March
and had been cantooned in the little
city of Menda to restrain the neighbour
ing country, which obeyed the Marquis.
A recent dispatch from Marshal Ney
made it feared that the English would
land hard by, and pointed out the
Marquis as man who had condolences
with the London Cabinet. Therefore.
in spite of the welcome which the Span
lard had given Victor and his soldiers,
the young officer kept himself constant
ly on his guard.
He had just perceived sails on the
distant ocean,-he trembled. At the
same moment his name was called.
Hardly had he recognized the voice as
that of soldier who had accompanied
him, when shot resounded and sud-
den blaze lighted the falling form of
the grenadier. The hand of Clara now
seized his arm.
Fly !''said she. MY brothers fol-
low me to kill you. At the foot of the
rock there you will find Juanito's An
dalusian. Go -
She pushed him the stupefied young
man, from other sights and sounds. now
gathered full intelligence of the treach-
cry. He fed down the valley, amid
the whistling Of bullets, found the
horse, and few houre after arrived at
the headquarters of General G..
A whole regiment with cavalry and
artillery were on the road within an
hour. The General and Victor marched
at the head of the column. The CITY
of Menda was reached with amazing r a.
pidity.
The English vessels had lain to.
strangely making no attempt to land.
The city thus deprived of its expected
defenders was at once taken. the terri
fed inhabitants surrendering. The as
sassins of the French being delivered to
the General, were, some two hundred.
at once shot on the terrace overlooking
the city. In the ball room of the
chateau the family de Leganes, with its
servants, had been meanwhile gagged
and shut up. Equal in number to these
gallows were now erected ON the terrace
and the executioner of the city sum.
moned.
Victor Marchand, proiting by the
time which passed before dinner, visited
the prisoners; then, returning to the
General, obtained for the Marquis the
promise that the mobiles instead of be-
ing hung should be decapitated, and
that the succors of religion should be
granted them.
Il will answer for their safelyif freed
from their bonds, . continued Victor.
81 consent" said the General.
'sThe old man offers his entire fortune
If you viii pardon his young son."