Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1883-02-20

nim mutter, coupled with the name Of
Henri Edouin
The favored lover was greatly sur
prised o few days later at receipt of
Communication from the Versailles gov
eminent. 1t was delivered by an entire
stranger, who whispered these six omin-
GUS words:
"For your eyes only. Is discreet"
The sealed billet contained thist
"Last dispatches by balloon ackpowt-
edged. Enclosed herewith an order for
500 francs. payable when France is re-
deemed from her enemies
I'M. EdOuin, Paris"
Henri should have destroyed the mys-
terious scrawl instantly. Instead, he
stood gazing at it in sheer amazement
He had had nothing whatever to do with
Versailles, though his heart was hon.
estly with those vino struggled so nobly
to save the country from the doom of a
bloody anarchy.
The few moments stupefaction proved
his greatest misfortune.
There Was peremptory tap at the
door.
Giuseppe entered ,grinning Internally.
Behind him "dEessed" three rufEsaQS OF
the national guard.
CAB, Monsieur Edouin gu
"Oh, is it you, Guiseppe?"
The conner advanced with snaky
quickness, and ere Henri could anticie
pate, snatcned away the fatal paper
Flourishing this aloft, he cried:
"AWay with him! See what hold
papers that will have him shot unless
greatly misi2keW And he Missed
malIciously into his rivals ear: "Voila |!
I am now a trusted spy of the COMMUNE.
Your death is certain You wisi never
wed with Hortense Guileau !"
Unfortunate Henri was soon in prison.
He fully realized his danger, and it re
ouired but little reflection to convince
him of the foul trick played by crafty
Giuseppe.
The days of his conf nement went
tediousIy by, while ever before him
oomed the horrid prospect of 3 violent
ieath. Then Giuseppe confronted his
victim, and accompanying him-c0uid
1t be reality ?-~as his own dear Hor-
ense.
II bring to you CLEAN of sunlight,
Monsieur Edouin." sSid the dark brow
ed villain, with grinning ssreasm.
Henri sprung forward to embrace his
betrothed, but Giuseppe interposed
"Hold! l did not bring her here for
a Iove-scene. Give ear to me. Minutes
for Henri Edouin are valuable. Judg-
ment is to be given in your case within
an hour. You know what it will be-
| death! I come to offer yoa lfe."
"You?"
land, pray, why not? L hold tie
document that is to riddle you with
bullets. Say the word, aud will des-
troy it. / will retract my charge as a
stupid blunder."
"That word--n
"Henceforth you will work and fight
on the side of the commune. That will
save you, if choose. Giuseppe. the spy,
is quite another person than Giuseppe,
the BAKERS apprentice. Money and ill.,
fiuence both are mine now Besides,
our prisons are examining with too many
hostages. Exchanges are slow, and we
need men. So, come. have your
sworn word"
"NeverW burst FROM Henri's lips. in
dignantly.
Throughout, Hortense had remained
passive. Now she threw herself on her
knees, with clasped hands, before the
man she so dearly loved.
ooh, yes, yes ~ she cried, passionate
w. "For me--for your own precious
life! Anything for your life: Prom
Use! Swear! Here on my knees beg
you, Henri" Her voice was broken
with wild sobbiBg her eyes were brim-
ming with tears The young man g
head dropped, then raised desperately,
while his eye flashed on the treacherous
spy. :.
$50 be it, villain Giuseppe! I give
my sacred promise as you ask"
The mysterious and eonvieting letter
was instantly torn into fragments. Gui-
-eppe had not bOasted vainly. Two
hay 8 later Henri Edouin was liberated
and mounted in the national guard. For
long time he found no opportunity of
seeing Hortense When at last the
lovers did meet, it was to realize the
greatest sorrow of their two fond hearts
As the price for saving HenIi's life,
Hortense bad solemnly agreed to wed
with Giuseppe.
Ever memorable will Ice the 28th of
Nav, 1871. Crowds and columns Of pri
-oners were being marched to Verssil-
les The prisoners camp at Satory was
AN anomalous picture, even shudderful
to contemplate. A man with banefui
eyes and snaky lips approached one of
The entrances to the stable-pens. The
prompt "Qui viVe?" halted him.
"Pardon, mon ami !" was the affable,
grinning response; "but am a quarter.
master. You have here, by a great
mistake, cousin of mine, who will an
-wer to the name of Henri Edouin. Be
20 good as to summon him to me. lam
not so great fool as to ask his release
just now, but would speak with him If
| may"
Villainous Giuseppe, ever treacherous,
and fearing that Henri might escape to
annoy him in the futuTe-aDd jealous to
lasanity that the man should live to
whom Hontense was so avOwediy at
tacbed-h had sought the prisoner's camp
with murderous intent. In his bosom
be carried pistol, and with the weapon
was resolved to Stay the rival he hated
His speech at the gate was Interrupted
by savage cry.
A bronzed gendarnaes who was stand
ing near, threw aside the lausket, and,
suringing forward, griped the paendo
qnartermaster by the throat.
This wretch lies ~ he vociferated,
excite3ly. He is Giuseppe, of the com
muDe- giuseppe, the spy-who ordered
forty of my eOfa AIDES shot. 1 alone es-
capped / know him WE'LL"
A fierce struggle enSUed.
There was a FASH a bang, and the
geudarme fell dead. But simultaneous
" a musket butt crashed down through
the skull of Giuseppe. The baneful
4