The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1883-11-02

whereabouts, n sank to the fioor in a
syncope. A page, who M she had sent
out. returned with the news of jacques
arrest, court-martiai and sentence.
And when is he to be shot?" she
cried clutching the arm of the stammer-
ing page. Tell me, or I'll tear thee to
pieces.n
do not look at me so, Marie,n said
boy, covering before her fiji hing
eyes. 81 viii tell you. He is to be shot
this afternoon at three o'clock"
AT three! @ God, it is two now.
THE emperor, Ma-ie.n
but he is not in the palace. He
went to drive with Tallvrand."
But he has returned: hi and the
duke are at this moment in the library"
"Thither l will fly and beseech the
emperor to spare the life of Jacques.
Tomorrow was to have been our we'd
ding day. Oh, why did he approve of
the findings of that court-martial!-it
was q farce. He has forgotten that
Jaqnes sayed his life at Moscow
she darted from the room. as she
ceased to speak and paused not until
she gained the door of the emoeror's
library. She listened; all was still in the
room. and she feared ia advance. Per
haps Napoleon and his O were Sleep
ing, and she did not wish to disturb
them. But her love for her betrothed
overcame all s"ruples, and she noiseless-
ly epened the door.
The emperor was seated o n a sofa,
deeply interested in he contents of a
volume of reports. Beside him, with
golden curis, and little eyes closed in.
sumner, lay his darling boy-the Duke
o Richstadt.
Marie paused ut the interesting scene
before her, and was about to advance,
when Sapoleon's eyes fell upon her.
He laid aside the volume, and smiled.
Come in, Marie" he said. "See how
calm the duke is %sleeuing. He soon
grew tired of romping with me, and fell
asleep"
The emperor glanced proudly at his
son as he spoke, and then at the ma
den. =,
"Ahl you have been weeping" Ma
RE" he exclaimed. Come, tell me
your troubles"
She threw herself at the ~enperor's
feet, and looked up into his plying
eyes.
"My troubles are great sire," uhe
cried. f'Thou hast signed the death
vi SaO Who was W l1dNo tdllcu
me wife Tomorrow"
81 do not understand you, Marie.
Explain"
Major Jacques Vramont has been
court-martialed, and thou hast APP
proved of the sentence" ~
II signed SO many papers Yesterday,
Marie, that l forget the majors Of
fence"
HE is charged with sleeping on his
post at Ey,aum
"Ah! / remember. It is a serious
charge, and the offence il punishable
with DEATH"
But thou wilt not kill one that saved
thy lIfeo?" cried the weeping girl.
When did the major do that,
Marie?"
What! hast thou forgotten that JAG
CUES Vramont, then a grenadier, struck
thy would-bc assassin to the earth in
the streets of Moscow"
II remember it now, Marie I had
not forgotten the occurrence but the
name of my prsserver. Yes, it WAS
JACQUES Vramont.'
Then thou wilt save him." she cried
for sh saw the emperor's altered ex-;
preston. eyes, | know thou wilt pay
the debt of pratitude thou owest him."
"Yes, Marie, | will save him"
"But look. sire it is past two. And
at three he dies"
Sat three!" e
Napoleon sprang to his feet and rang
a bell. An aid dashed into the room.
Hastily the conqueror penned a reprieve
gave the aid q few orders an dispatched
aim on his errani. Like the wind the
rode to the parade ground. He
saw q man seated upon his coffin. and u
die of soldiers standing before him with
muskets.
IA reprieve! a reprievel Lower those
inuske,s! The soldier is reprieved by
the emperor!"
The officer in command of the squad
ave the order, 'order arms" and the
lover Of the Maid OF Honor was saved.
The colonel grew purple with rage, and
forth into horrId oaths. He
mounted his horse and dashed from the
grounds, while the soldiers were cheer
ing the rep.ieved major.
That nighth he was placed under arrest,
every insignia Of rank torn from himself
and dismissed from the French.army. He
revenge, joined the Russians
and fought against Napoleon at Water
loo. The day after the battle he was
killed by an English officer.
The clay following the reprieve, Marie
St. Pierre and Jacques Vrament were
united in marriage, the emperor him
self giving away the bride. 1t was a joy
full wedding, and after Napol. on's over
throw. the happy pair took up their
residence in a little cottage on the banks
OF the Loire, and livel to a good old age