Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1889-09-12

glad peasant lie returned. She
thought OF her old sweet Norman
home, where the peace OF the silent
country reigned, and the sun fell gold
en- on the waving fields of COLA and OF
corn. She thought of the mill
stream song - Of the foam-bells
dashing or the great brown tim
bers OF the turning wheel-of the
radiance Of summer Howers-of the
"lcb scents of the roses round the
porch-of the CLEAN OF the snow white
lilies, in whose cups the butterflies
| loved to hover and rest-of the COO OF
the bright-plumaged pigeons as they
few to and fro from their little arched
homes-of the vesper chimes from the
village church nestled in those quiet
fields. All these thoughts and men,
cries came back to her as she lay
there alone, with the ban and curse Of
a cruel fate upon her young, desolate
heart, and an utter hopelessness and
despair in her soul.
Through the silence around her e
voice suddenly pierced-a voice tina,
made her start and tremble as she
heard it, and forced from her lips a
cry Of intense fear. Another instant,
and amidst the shrill clamor of the
old woman's cries, and the sturdy re-
sistance of Gretchen, the door was
thrown violently open, and Leon Mon
pratt stood before her.
''Fatherl" burst from the girls pale
lips. He threw himself before her,
and caught the folds OF her dress in
his hands.
"Oh, Ninette! can you ever forgive
me?"
What is itP" she gasped in terror;
lis he with you?"
Hep No. Coward, villain, traitor
that he is. He has betrayed me. fly
now for my life. "
"How have you discovered me?'
she asked.
"By strange chance-a soldier Of
the garrison is suspected of planning
the escape OF prisoner. Won Brand
stein had him watched here, he told
me that it was his belief that you were
concealed in the place; with to-mor-
row he will himself be here. / learnt
his treachery and resolved TO warn
you in time. Ninette, | have done
you cruel Injustice all my life-let
me atone for it now. Fly with me
have passports-all is ready.
l had friend who aided me for the
sake OF services long past. l have
PLAN will seek the king himself-he
is close to Berlin-to-morrow he en-
tiers. Come, child, for Christ's sake
time is precious. Oh, Ninette! do not
refuse me now?"
She drew herself calmly, proudly
away.
Father, you deceived me once. l
can never trust you again"
"Do not say that, he implored.
Il know you fear that will lead you
to him. | swear that will not; every
word that utter is true to the letter.
Oh, Ninette, be true to yourself, if not
to me. How can | leave you in this
ruffian's power?"
"Is 1t not rather late in the day to
think OF thatP'
''Child, you torture me. Will moth
ing move youP Even if tell you your
husbands salvation depends on your
acting as l counselP"
my husband-PierreP What do
meanP"
HE is condemned to die. At day. |
break, tomorrow, the sentence will be
executed. They hurry it for fear the
King may reprieve him."
s.rn die INAnt 4.
"Von Brandstein discovered the
plan for his escape. He insulted him,
md Pierre struck him."
"Oh, my God! my hand again deals
him his fate" moaned the wretched
yirl, as she sank on the narrow bed
md gazed at her fathers face with
blank unseeing eyes.
"Will you not Gomez" no urged
Igain. She started as if q blow had
truck her.
Gomez she cried loudly. "Flce
ike coward and leave him to die?
)h, Heaven! What do you think that
amp"
"You might see the king, you might
ntercede," he pleaded with pitiful
weakness that reused all her scorn.
go you and seek the king!" she
ried with sudden passion, land look
GU, II he die count you his murder
r!' Then she turned and seized her
loak, and flew fleet as an antelope
rom the house and on through the
ark and silent streets, with resist
ess speed that made all pursuit use
ess.
He fingered there a moment, then {
'ent forth and confronted the pale I
nd frightened women in the adjoin-
lg room. I
"She is my daughter" he said, with
ne strange, dazed eyes of man half :
sleep, land her husband dies to-mor-
DIV in the garrison yonder ut sum :
se."
They heard him in silence, too ter !
fed for any words. Then he drew /
is cloak closely around him and went I
ut on his errand OF danger, knowing I
ich step, each movement now was
aught with deadly peril and besct by c
atchful foes. i