The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1879-06-14
A Queer Story.

"And so Roblard is going back to
France" remarked one of the circle of
exiles who were discussing the amnesty
at the Cafe du Nord of Geneva.
He will never set foot on French ter
ritory again." responded another, with a
shake of the head.
But he has been pardoned," said the
srst speaker, taking up copy of the
Journal O6iciaI, and scoring mark with
his thumb under the name of Antoine
Roblard
No matter" was the answer, given
with more emphasis than before. "Rob-
lard has been amnestied by the govern
eminent; but he must get pardoned by
other persons before his exile can end;
and the persons in question are not for
giving. If Roblard returned to France
he would be murdered"
What are you saying there?" Choir.
used all the communists round the table;
but the speaker, journalist named
Vulleux, finished his absinthe and took
leave of his company with wink, hav-
ing VOuchsafed no explanations. The
next moment slim, sallow and care
worn man entered the cafe with some
books under bis arm, and was demonstra-
lively, almost atfectiOnately, greeted by
the men whom Vuilleux had Just left.
He was hailed by his name of Roblard,
and congratulated upon his pardon.
We'll, Antoine" cried one, 81 suppose
you will be leaving us in day or two?"
eyes" answered Roblard, {" and glad
| shall be to get back to Paris after eight
years of absence"
1t is to Paris you are going them"
Yes, tomorrow morning by the first
train; so | shall wish you goodbye on
leaving this presently"
"Say to US Al reuoiri'" cried one of
the communists, lifting his glass. "May
the day come when we shall all meet in
Paris and take our reUanche of 1871"
"Au revotr p answered Roblard
gravely, as he raised his glass of beer to
his lips. He half emptied it, and then
sat down and chatted for half an hour
on the political topics of the day. He
was known to be writing History of
the Commune" and he remarked that
he was glad his exile was going to end,
chiefly because he wanted to have again
access to the public libraries of Paris.
After this he expressed his opinions
cheerily about Grevy, Waddington and
Gambetta, stated his belief that he
Roblsrd-should soon find a seat in the
chamber of deputies, and that he would
then "pitch into the Moderates;"
finally he shook hands with every one of
the exiles, saying a friendly word to
each, and took his departure.
When he was gone a discussion arose
between some who commended that there
was an unusual look about Roblard, and
others who maintained that they had
found him Just the same as ever One
of these latter, meeting Vuilleux, the
Journalist, later in the evening, said: :
you were all wrong about Roblard :;
he is going back to France fast enough.
He starts tomorrow"
"AhW exclaimed Villeux, with a
slight arching of his eyebrows. Then
he will be dead man before month is
over"
You are abiding to ONE projected
duel, | suppose rejoined the other
Perhaps you mean to kill him yourself"
"Roblard will not die in a duel" re-
piled Vuilleux, significantly, "but he
will die within a month. You mark my
words"
Twenty-four hours after this, lust as
dusk was gathering over Paris, and the
policemen at the prefecture de Paris
were lighting up that big establishment
with gas, cab, loaded with luggage,
which had arrived from the Lyons rail
way station, drew up on the quay that
skirts the palace of justice, and Antoine
Roblard alighted from it. He passed
quickly under the archway which leads
to the prefecture, and entering the first
open door in the office asked if he could
see Monsieur A., mentioning one
of the chiefs of the political department
of the police The Inspector on duty
took his card and handed it to messen-
ger, who disappeared for few minutes
and then returned, begging Roblard to
walk up stairs. The pardoned commun-
ist followed his guide, who conducted
him up broad flight of stairs thickly
carpeted with cocoa-nut mating, and
ushered him into an office where gray
haired functionary with very firm
mouth and a pair of very keen eyes,
whose brightness was concealed by a
Tincs-nez, sat writing. Monsieur A.
was Republican, and he and Roblard
had known each other intimately in old
days when they had been fellow journal
lists together on an opposition paper
which made trade of ramming" at
the government journals. The police
official did not affect to be unmindful of
this by-gone acquaintainship, but held
our his hand to the returned exile, say
ing: al am glad to see you back, Rob-
lard; what can we do for your"
81 want you to save my life" said
Roblard, sitting down unbidden, and
lowering his voice. ] am in danger of
assassination"