The Lamoille news. (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1877-1881, 1878-01-16

His uttemnce claimed my instant
sympathy. l besOught him to believe
that 1 should not recall such sad men,
ories again.
"Ah, my friend" said he. "your
kindness overpowers me To a man
whose past is bitterness, whose future is
blank, what can be sweeter than SYM
pathy like yoursp"
Then, to change the subject, / began
to talk OF travels. We compared our
experiences, and found that NJ. Aube-
pine had seen nearly every part of the
world. He was full of anecdote and
description, and / could have listened to
him forever. Our interview lasted over
two hours, When l arose to go, he said,
" You have not yc heard my box this
evening. May set it goingP"
"If you will favor me, Monsieur, I
shall be delighted"
He wound it up, and touched the
crank, when solemly and slowly, pealed
forth that magnificent air, Tempest of
the Heart" Tears came into my eyes,
and my whole being was subdued.
While the wonderful melody was yet
lingering in my ears, pressed my con-
panion's hand, and retired.
From this night dated the singular
intimacy which existed between us until
the catastrophe occurred which is to
form the climax of my narrative. spent
hours and hours daily with NJ. d'Aube-
pine, always with pleasure and always
with profit.
In this manner passed the rapid weeks,
when one evening as we were sitting in
the dark, with the door closed, I heard a
sigh escape from my friends breast that
panied me beyond expression.
"You are melancholy" I said.
81 pray you will not let it trouble
you" he answered.
"But under the circumstances of our
friendship, there is no help for it," 1 re-
joined. "I behold you suffer, and it
grieves me to be able to afford no re-
lief"
"Our friendship? Yes; you have
been devoted to me, Monsieur, and / am
truly grateful"
The best proof of that will be to let
me hear your SORROWS" was my reply.
"Would that / might be allowed to
breathe them forth in the melody of that
violin But it must not be-"
i thought j perceived in his tone a
very slight, though unmistakable, invi-
tation to further scrutiny into his secrets,
and l promptly began to press him.
Finally, he answered 81 am a political
exile"
"You have risked your life in return.
ing to France"
Eyes. Three weeks ago / set my
foot on the pavements Of Paris, for the
first time in fifteen years. found my
friends dead, my home desolate, myself
hopelessly ruined. You, Monsieur, an
Englishman, know the blessings of lib
erty. Would You not die rather than
lose it2
az would perish at my fireside," I
exclaimed, rising in my seat, sin de-
fence of my sacred rights"
"What, then, do you think when you
look across the sea and behold so many
nations in chains?"
"What do you think ?" 1 demanded.
"a thousands times have I been upon
the point of springing to their aid.
Should France rise, at the moment
when the tocsin sounded I should seize
my musket and fly to the Streets"
You would bare your breast to guard
poor, abused France!" cried M.
d'Aubepine, pacing the room in an &C.
stacy of delight.
Yes," replied, in tones that rang
through the room. eyes, I would be
her shield. should fall lifeless at her
feet rather than surrender p
"Come to my arms, my brave friend
my brother. But" whispered NJ.
d'Aubepine, "what if it were necessary
to work in the dark, to plot in secret. to
mine, to lay the track of gunpowder;
shall you be wanting ?"
"No; I should be the most Jealous
conspirator of the band. All, Sir, the
mysterious, the unfathomable is my ele-
ment My face, when I choose, is an
impenetrable mask"
"My dearest brotherw exclaimed M,
d'Aubepine, falling upon my neck in Il
transport of affection, " it is late now.
Good night 1 fear to sit up longer.
You know nearly all my secrets. To
m orrow you shall hear the rest. Once
more, good night p
That night, as I lay wooing sleep, there
rose upon the midnight air the glorious
strains of the Marseillaise." The
harmony came from the music box of
my poor neighbor, the exile.
On the next morning I sought his
chamber the instant I heard him moving
about. 1t was hardly more than an
hour after sunrise, but I longed to have
a full confession, as he had promised. ]
resumed the subject Immediately upon
greeting him. At first he seemed un.
willing, but, finally, he caused me to sit
on the bed while he sat by me. We
spoke in whispers.
"Shall 1 reveal all ?" he asked.
Yes, without reservation.
I" am a oonspirator."
"That is your mission in France al
the present timer"
Eyes. risk my life--but what il