Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1892-02-05

II.
Twenty years passed and the reign
of terror began. In La Vendee the war
was at its height when the convention
sent one of its mem bers to Nantes with
instructions to take swift and violent
measures against the royalists.
Accordingly, this man, Carrier by
name, caused numb Der of suspects"
to be confined in the Entrepot, build
ing near the cathedral of ST. Pierre;
men, women and children were hustled
pell-mell into this ante chamber of the
river Loire, and in spite of the daily
drownings the prison was ever thronged
with victims.
In large low hall the terrible pro-
consul presided at the mock trials.
The prisoners were divided into two
parties, the accused and the condemned;
the former group diminished rapidly,
as the latter increased, and at last Car
rier resolved to hurry the proceedings
by dispensing with all formality in dis
posing of the victims.
Then the fatal words: CONDEMNED
to death!' were heard repeatedly as
the royalists were hurried across the
hall.
Henri de Kergouetp called the
clerk, and a young man about eighteen
years of age left his companions and
advanced towards the tribunal. He
bowed to the judges with as much ease
an1 frraaa if ba xxyarn Tho oo,,,+ re
Versailles, and seemed to be uncon-
scious of the fact that a cruel death
awaited him.
"You are accused of conspiring
against the republic in the person of
it's representative" said Carrier; ''you
took part in plot against my life"
The youth turned a frank, fearless
pair of eyes toward the speaker, and
answered slowly:
81 owe my fathers death to you
always pay my debts"
"Henri!" cried a woman's voice en-
treatingly.
Carrier cast a furious glance round
him, and then Henri Kergouet was
hurried away. Two women now stood
before the judge, who asked of the
elder one:
Are you the mother of that young
man?"
81 am" she answered, land this girl
is his sister"
Your name?"
"Yolande de Clairville, Marquise de
Kergouet."
The judge looked fixedly at the
speaker for a minute, then declared
the investigation at an end and added
briefly Condemned to death, all
| three"
The doomed were now led back to
their dungeons, and at nine o'clock al
night the executions began. Tied to.
gether, two by two, the unfortunates
were thrown into boats, taken out on
the river and dispatched with sword OF
bayonet and their bodies cast into the
water. This method, however, soon
proved too slow to satisfy Carrier, and
he caused hundreds of his victims tc
be driven to a neighboring quarry and
shot.
Marquise de Kergouet and her two
children were awaiting their doom
in silence when the jailor entered Their
cell and ordered the daughter to fol
low him.
"Why must we be separated" cried
the mother.
"Citizen Carriers orders, replied the
man. "Be quic<!"
After long and fearful embrace the
young girl left her mother and brother
and followed the jailor into the pres
ence of the dreaded pro-consul, whC
looked at her earnestly and when they
were left alone asked slowly:
what is your name?"u
"Yvonne de Kergouet'
"Do you love your mother?"
"Ah, yes, monsieurw replied the girl
trembling with terror.
And your brother; what would yol
do to save his life?"
81 would gladly give my own life!
cried Yvonne, eagerly.
81 do not want your life, child, bu
your silence. How old are you?"
"Sixtecn years, monsieur"
"Then you have not yet learned t
lie. Listen to me. Here is a lette
which confde to you on condition
of your promising me that it shall no
be opened until midnight Moreover
you are not to speak of it to anyone
Have your promise? Very we'll Col
The frightened girl took the letter
put it into her bosom and was take
back to the cell, but before she ha
time to reply to the anxious question
ing with which her mother and brothe
greeted her, man appeared, cGrryin
pistol, signed to them all to folloy
him and led them out of the prison
Then, imposing the strictest silenc
, upon them, he gave his arm to Yvonne
while Henri de Kerguoet supported hi
mothers trembling form In a fey
minutes the little party reached tn
J river bank, after hurrying through tn
dark streets of the city, and the roya
lists realized at glance that they wer
not far from the spot where the execr
tons of that day had taken place
Their guide gave signal and man i
: a boat instantly made his appearance
from out of the gloom.
Get in" said the boatman. in 10,
tone, and as soon as they were seste
: he rowed out into the middle of Ii
: stream