San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-04-19

CuuSeu q th SS uullDer OF suspects TO De |
confined III the entrepot, a building near |
the cathedral OF st. Pierre: men, women I
and children were hustled pellmell into |
this antechamber OF the River Loire, and |
in spite of the daily drownings the prison
was ever thronged with victims.
In large. low hall the terrible proconsul
presided at the mock trials The prisoners
were divided into two parties-the accused
ana the condemned; the former group
diminished rapidly as the latter increased,
and at last Carrier resolved to hurry the
proceedings by dispensing with all formal
ity i'm disposing of the victims.
Then the fatal words, CONDEMNED to
deathI' were heard repeatedly as the Roy
alists were hurried across the hall.
Henri de Kergouetp' called the clerk,
and young man about eighteen years of
age left his companions and advanced to-
ward the tribunal. He bowed to the judge
with as much ease and grace as if he were
at the court of Versailles, and seemed to
be unconscious of the fact that cruel
death awaited him.
"You are accused of conspiring against
the republic in the person of its representa-
tive" said Carrier; '''you took part in
plot against my life"
The youth turned frank, fearless pair
of eyes toward the speaker and answered
slowly:
II owe my fathers death to you. al
ways pay my debts"
"Henrip cried woman's voice entreat-
ingly. t
Carrier cast furious glance around 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
mann"
81 am" she answered, land this girl is
his sister"
"Your nameS"
"Yolande de Clairville, Marquise de Ker-
gouet."
The judge looked fixedly at the speaker
for a minute then declared the investiga-
tion at an end and added briefly:
CONDEMNED to death, all three"
The doomed were now led back to their
dungeons, and at o'clock at night the ex-
ecutions began. Tied together, two by two,
the unfortunates were thrown into boats,
taken out on the river and dispatched by
sword or bayonet and their bodies east into
the water. This method, however, soon
proved too slow to satisfy Carrier, and he
caused hundreds of his victims to be driven
out to neighboring quarry and shot.
The Marquise de Kergouet and her two
children were awaiting their doom in
silence, when the jailor entered their cell
and ordered the daughter to follow him.
"Why must we be separated" cried the
mother.
"Citizen Carriers orders" -eplied the
man. 'Be quickp'
After long ar fearful embrace the
young girl left hen mother and brother
and followed the jailor into the presence of
the dreaded consul, who looked at her ear
nestly, and when they were left alone
asked slowly:
"What is your manner"
"Yvonne de Kergouet."
"Do you love your mother?"
"Ah, yes, monsieur" replied the girl
trembling with terror.
"And your brother; what would you do
to save his life?"
81 would gladly give my own lifep' cried
Yvonne eagerly.
Il do not want your life, child, but your
silence. How old are your"
Sixteen years, monsieur"
"Then you have not yet learned to lie.
Listen to me. Here is letter which ]
confide to you on condition of your prom
Using me that it shall not be opened until
midnight. Moreover, you are not to speak
of it to any one. Have / your promise"
Very well. COP
The frightened girl took the letter, put
it into her bosom and was taken back TO
the cell, but before she had time to reply
to the anxious questioning with which her
mother and brother greeted her, man APP
peared, carrying a pistol, signed to them
all to follow him and led them out of the
prison. Then imposing the strictest silence
upon them, he gave his arm to Yvonne,
while Henry de Kergouet supported his
mothers trembling. form. In a few MIN
utes the little party reached the river bank,
after hurrying through the dark streets of
the city, and the Royalists realized at a
glance that they were not far from the
spot where the executions of that day had
taken place. Their guide gave a signal
and man in a boat instantly made his APP
pearance from out of the gloom.
"Get in" said the boatman in a low tone,
and as soon as they were seated he rowed
out into the middle of the stream.
"Be brave, little sister" whispered
Henri, clasping Yvonne to his heart, and
then they all waited calmly for their last
hour to come. In few brief -moments
they seemed to live their whole life over,
to feel again the joys and sorrows of their
early childhood, as well as their recent
trials and alarms.
Suddenly they saw in the distance the
outline of ship dimly defined against the
dark sky; they approached it rapidly, and
before they had recovered from their
amazement found themselves ON board,
while their late conductor rowed back to
shore.
what does this mean?" asked Henri,
after an astonished pause
"That you are savedr' replied the cap
tain of the ship.