The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1882-08-27

ment he landed, was clasped in the young
girls embrace. He ground his teeth with
impotent rage, and in his eagerness to get
good view of Antoine stepped few PAGES
forward, and allowed the cape of his cloak to
fall back.
As Antoine and Madeleine were forcing
passage through the crowd Madeleine caught
momentary glimpse of her detosted perse-
cutor. The young girl shuddered involun-
tarily, and Antoine tenderly inquired
whether she felt cold. Madeleine was al
most inclined to acquaint her lover with the
cause of her alarm, hut sho dreaded the
immediate consequences ofsuch disclosure,
and, feeling secure in her lovers proteC.
ton, she deemed it advisable to keep her
secret Now that Antoine has returned,
and our marriage will soon take place"
she thought, "that bad man will see that II
will be useless TO trouble me any longer, and
will no doubt return to Paris"
CHAPTER II.
Antoine at length sailed once more on the
| long fishing cruise to the North Sea, which
usually occupied period of six months.
At this period the terrible war between
| France and Prussia was raging furiously.
| Paris was already threatened with siege, and
the Germans were everywhere victorious.
| BUI OF all Tue communities III TTHlCt INC
fsher.folk least troubled themselves with
political affairs. Not that they were un-
patriotic, for they heartily wished success to
the cause and arms of France, but the French
fishermen enjoy immunity from the military
| conscrption-to which all other classes of
the people, save the clergy, are more or less
| subiect-on consideration of their being
bound to enroll themselves in the national
navy whenever their services are required.
So long as Antoine remained ut home
| Lucen had held himself aloof from Made
| leine, who believed that, now she was mar
| ricd, he would cease to annoy her. She did
not, therefore, think it worth while TO cause
uueasiness to her husband by acquainting
him with the young mans previous ill-con-
duct toward her. But no sooner had Antoine
gone to sea than Lucien commenced his in
sulting opportunities. He endcavorcd to
| gain her favor by means of costly presents,
| but his presents were scornfully rejected
| and he was plainly assured that if he did
not forthwith cease his annoyauccs she
would take such measures TO put an end TO
them rs would give him cause for regret for
the remainder of his life.
Thus compelled to desist from his pciso-
cutions and to rclinquisli his base designs,
| Iucien became more determined than ever
upon revenge and, though he could con
which he could carry his craving for ven
geance into effect, he resolved to wait and
watch his opportunity. =" Everything comes
to him who has the patience to wait" he
muttored TO himself, as he returned raging
with disappointment, to Paris.
But then came the siege, and for months
he was imprisoned within the ramparts of
the city, and Madeleine hoped and believed
that she had rid herself of him forever. At
length the siege was raised. The Prussians
marched in triumph into Paris, and the war
came to an end. The imperial power was
overthrown, n Republic was proclaimed
and the vile mob and condWe of Paris sought
to establish the power of the Commune, and
succeeded for awhilei in maintaining second
| Reign of Terror.
And now Lucien Pierrot was again seen in
lIonileur He had at length worn out the
patience of his father, whose eyes had he.
come opened to his sons delinquencies, and
for the time being, the young man was pa
tcrnally discarded. 1t was said that, out of
spite, TO annoy his father aal CRAFTY his
own evil propensities, Lucien had leagued
himself with the Commune, and had become
one of the most active among its minor
leaders. AT all events, he was constantly to
be found busily disseminating its atrocious
doctrines; but persons who protested to be
better Informed in the matter than others
declared that Lucpn Pierrot was in reality
a paid government spy.
II was at this period that Antonio again
came home from sea. lie had been absent
longer than usual, but he made profitable
voyage to various ports in his own lugger.
Moreover, shortly before her husband s
return, Madeleine had given birth TO a son,
which delighted the heart Of the worthy
young sailor. Little did he or the people OF
his native village trouble themselves about
the Commune probably few among then
knew the meaning of the word and so lon
rs they were healthy aud prosperous it con.
cerned them little whether France was al
empire or II republic.
On the first day ofhi5 return Antoine was
t seated, i'll the evening, opposite his happy
young wife-now so proud other maternity
in their snug little cottage, with the infan
sleeping quietlyin his cradle between them
, Antoine had related the events of his
voyage, and Madeleine was acquainting he
4 husband with all that had occurred in tn,
: village during his absence, when, suddenl,
rising from her chair, she approached a Ju6et
t and took from n drawer a letter bearing thu
i, Paris postmarlS, which she presented to he
l husband. "In my joy at seeing thee agail
I at home, my Antoine" she said smiling, "
had wellnigh forgotten this letter, which
= received Il fortnight ago."
i Antoine took the letter from his Wife
= hand. 1t was rather n strange and snspi
G cious- looking document-so at least though
e the young fisherman. 1t was weighty, an
bore huge red seal, which was unbroker
&C "Thou hast not opened it, my Madeleine.
said Antoine, who hal rarely before in til
Il course of his life had a letter addressed
S him. and who looked upon it with somethin
e like alarm in the expression of his count,
s. nance
It may, my husband. 1t is directed I
& thee" said Madeleine. 81 had no right
' open it without thy permission
h " But thou knowest | cannot read" sal
" Antoine.
of thou wilt, will read il for thee,
d Madeleine replied.
If The portentous seal was broken, and whe
v the letter was unfolded II piece of folie
n,r.bn,ant fan r,,,, ~ an ~, i,,J