The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1882-07-21

few days later, at receipt Of commu-
nication from the Versailles government.
II was delivered IVY an entire stranger,
WHO whispered these six omiuous words:
For your eyes only Be discreet !"
The sealed billet contained this
Last dispatches by balloon acknowl-
edged. Inclosed herein an order for five
hundred francs, payable when France is
redeemed from her enemles.'
"M Edouin, Paris.
Henri should have destroyed the mys-
terious scrawl instantly. Instead, he
stood gazing at it in sheer nmazement.
he had had nothing whatever to do with
the Versaillese, though his heart was
honestly with those Who struggled 80 no.
bly, to save the country from the doom
of a bloody anarchy.
The few moments stupefactiou proved
his greatest misfortune.
There was peremptory knock at the
door.
Giuseppe entered, grinning Internally,
behind him, "dressed, )" three rufIians of
the National Guard.
"Ah. Monsieur Edouin ~
"Oh, is it yon, GuiseppeP"
The conner advanced with snaky quick
ness, and ere Henri could anticipate, he
snatched The fatal papers. Flourishing
them aloft, he cried.
Away with him See what l hold I
papers that will have him shot, unless
greatly mlstalSe" And he lissed ma
liciously iuto his rivals ear. "Viola /
am now trusted spy Of the Commune.
Your death is certain. You will never
wed with HortensA Guileau! I"
Unfortunate Henri was soon IN prison.
He fully realized his danger, aud it re-
qnired but little reflection to convince
him Of the foul trick played by crafty
Giuseppe.
The days Of hisconiipement went tedi-
ously by. while ever before him loomed
the horrid prospect Of a violent death,
| Then Giuseppe confronted his victim,
md accompanying him-conld 1T be re-
ality ?-was his own dear Hortense.
II bring to you CLEAN Of sunlight,
Monsieur E,louin, " said the dark browed
villain, with grinning sarcasm.
| Henri spraug forward to embrace his
betrothed but Giuseppe interposed.
Hold / did not bring her here for
a love scene. Give ear to me. Minutes
for Henri Edouin are valuable. Judg-
meut is to be given in your case within
an hour. You know what it will be-
| death / come to offer you life."
''You
,,And pray, why not | hold the doc
ument that is to riddle You with bullets
Say the word. aud will ae,troy it. ]
viii .retract my charge as stupid bluu-
der"
s'That word
''Henceforth you will work and fight
for the side Of the Commune. That will
save you--if chose. Giuseppe the spy
is quite another person than Giuseppe
the bakers apprentice. Money and in.
fiuence are both mine now. Besides,
our prisons are cramming with too many
hostages. Exchanges are slow, and we
need men. SO come. have your sworn
i word--"
"Never !" burst from Henri's lips, in
dignantly.
Throughout Hortense had remained
passive. Now she threw herself on her
knees, with cIasped hands, before the
man she SO dearly loved.
"Oh. yes, yesl she cried, passionate
". l"For me-for your own precious
lifei Anything for your life Promisel
Swcarl Here on my kuees beg you,
Henri "
Her voice was broken with wild sob
biug Lereyes were brimming with tears.
The Young mans head dropped, then
raised d desperately. while his eyes flashed
on the treacherous spy.
$50 be II, VILLAIN giuseppe 1 give
my sacred promise as you ask. :"
The mysterious and convicting letter
was instantly torn into fragments. Gui-
seppe had not boasted yainly. Two days
later Henri Edouin was liberated and
mounted in the National Guard.
For long time he found no opporta-
| nifty Of seeing Hortense. When at last
the lovers did meet. il was to realize the
greatest sorrow of tber two fond hearts.
Hortense had solemnly agreed to wed
with Giuseppe.
~*
Ever memorable viii be the 2sth Of
May. 1871, when the following procIa-
nation appeared
ssINHABIrANrs OF PARrs