The morning call., 1891-05-31

wretch more guilty than IL, his judge?
His crime is minei Snail 1 then condemn
bim?'
Can you understand the terrible anguish
OF that heart in which the memory OF the
old sin had been softened without being
wiped out? He felt like stepping aside.
sending In his resignation-but why?
Another would take his place, more severe
perhaps, and would sentence Lavardin to
the maximum punishment. On the con-
trary, was it not his duty to remain that he
might be indulgent to the poor manp
And lie remained, since it was his duty
The day OF the trial came. Lavardin APP
peared, almost calm, before the trembling
magistrate, whose face was crimson with
shame. The proceedings could not be long,
Tor the confession was complete.
II had NO intention of stealing" said
Layardin, with tears in his eyes, l be-
leved would win and repay my employer
so soon that he would have no suspicion.
This | was unable to do the blowing day !;
| should perhaps have done it the next
And | was determined. if misfortune con-
tinued to pursue me, to kill myself. l was
not given the time u
A STRANGE HALLUCINATIoN.
The President listened to him. He gazed
with such persistent attention at the deS-
perate man who was lamentiDg his career
forever blasted that gradually a strange
thing took place in his brain. He seemed
to be detached from himself, so TO speak, to
have stripped off his ermine- bOrdered red
robe, which was too imposing, 10 nave
Quilted the platform upon which he was
seated between his associate Judges and to
have taken the place of Lavardin on the
bench OF the accused
Yes, it was himself whom he distinctly
saw between the soldiers of the Republican
Guard, while the curious glances Of the
public converged upon his person.
1t was he, Georges de ChaVerny, who was
defending himself with tears in his eyes.
What other argument could he have found?
lie had let himself be carried away. He
had been weak, he had gambled, he had
stolen.
mons. lie President" said Lavardin, 81
have a mother, who is intirm and old. She
lives in the country, and every month / sent
her half my salary Tor her support. She is
ignorant OF my crime and my arrest. II you
convict me it cannot long be concealed from
her. If she does not die of shame and de-
SPAR she will die OF starvation"
The advocate was eloquent. With me-
chanical movement of the mead the Presl-
dent of the Assizes, forgetting that his
viSage should remain rigid and allow none
of his impressions to be OWNED, approved
his arguments and seemed to encourage
him. From time to time the Judges glance
met that of the accused, and it was not the
accused who lowered his eyes, Still de-
believed he heard the lawyer pleading for
him, and he scrntinized the jury as ii he
awaited from them his safety or his ruin.
The AvOcat-General demanded the appl-
cation OF the law against LaVardin, The
President was silent. The spectators were
looking at him. He should sum up the case,
but feared he would not have the strength.
Slowly he obeyed the command of his duty.
And IL was defense of the accused which
he presented. Then, after having pointed
out the questions for the jury to answer, he
staggered from the courtroom.
THE SENTENCE.
Some minutes passed then a bell rang.
1t was the court. The jury proclaimed La
Yardiu guilty, but admitted eXtenuating cir
cumstances IN his favor The President
was greatly agitated. Extremely pale, his
eyes CLEANED with singular light. His
movements were sudden and undecided.
There was no longer anything majestic or
even dignified in his attltude-nothing but
uneasiness and shock. Sometimes he
pressed his long, slender white hand against
his bald forehead. He was striving to col
lect his ideas. Then, in a very low, trem-
bling voice. he said:
THE Court, in consequence Of the de-
mand OF the AvOcat-General and cOnsid-
ering that there are eXtenuhtDg circum-
stances in favor Of the accused"
His voice weakened more aud more, and
he could scarcely be heard when he pro-
nounced:
Hereby sentences Andre Layardin to two
years Imprisonment and costs!
The President seemed ill" said the law
yerS. as they quilted the Palace Of Justice.
NJ. de Chaverny had gone to his home in
the Rue d'Amsterdam. He had not re-
sponded to the loving greetings OF his wife
or returned his daughters kisses. He went
TO bed, stricken down by burning fever.
He had done his duty, but his duty was go
ing TO kill him.
Nevertheless in the morning he was on
his feet. He went out, presented himself
at the Elysee and had an interview which
lasted an hour, with the President OF the
Republic. When he left the palace after
this interview, NJ. de ChaVerny'S eyes were
red, as if he had been weeping.
The next day the Journal Officiel pub
lished Lavardin'S pardon. That very night
the magistrate was attacked by congestion
Of the brain. He twisted ABOUT in his bed,
surrounded by his weeping family. In one
Of the rare moments of lucidity which the
state of his brain left him he turned toward
his son-as in the past the old count, his
father had done, and said:
Conscience!
That was his last word. JULES MARY.