The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-06-11

said: ''Since you doubt my word. citizen.
You may look for yourself every where. ana
/ will guide you IN the search" lie
seemed impressed by the assurance OF
my manner, and was apparently on
the point of giving up the enterprise. when
one OF the soldiers spoke up and said: II
there nave been any machInations should
advise you to look up there, and an Ill
looking man with n crafty expression. the
same one. undoubtedly. who had walked
up in the night. pointed TO the cornice
leading to the open door of the hay lott.
My knees smote together AS l Thought OF
those unhappy men behind that door.
cooped up without firearms. utterly de-
feDseless. listening to every word that was
said.
/ cursed my idea of letting them In. and
bitterly repented having yielded 10 their
entreaties. Outside they might have been
In just as much danger, but not through my
fault. They might have escaped. stru ggled
at any rate; but now they were there. anu
was to blame. IL seemed ash ! shouid
loose my senses How gladly could have
strangled that soldier, After questioning
the wretch the official turned again to
me. We'll, citoy enne. / accept your offer;
you can be our guide. and be so KIND as TO
take Us. first of all. 10 that hay loft" l
nodded assent. l could not have uttered
q word. There. captain. detail squad
and come along with me. Now, IL You
please. citoyeeDe."
Oh. my child, what moment that was
I do not know how L managed not to faint.
However, l steeled myself. and hardly
knowing what did. remonnted the stair
case had assembled with the Girondins
only q few hours before.
The Off ial followed me closely, aud after
him came the captain with several soldiers.
Had any hope? | cannot tell 1 moved
like an automatOn; was told TO go and
wont-that was all The official. fat and
astbmatlc. was also very clumsy, owing. to
his size. Whom he saw the narrow ledge
.ah had
step or two. he drew back and
muttered. That is not very WIDE"
But below all the soldiers were
looking up. and he was ashamed to retreat
He followed me- with evident relrctance.
| STRENGTHENING himself uD as much as he
could against the wall. putting one foot
cautiously before the other with the great
est precaution. If so much had not been
at stake should have thought the sltua-
| ton grotesque; but | can assure you l had
no mood to laugh. Two ideas presented
themselves TO my mind. Had better
| rush for ward TO the loft and die with those
unhappy men, or should L dash out my
brains on the floor beiOwf Every moment
| expected they wound close the door and
seal their fate. and l engrossed
with these ideas that could not think or
my own danger.
We were about half way. when suddenly
| the official stopped. and exclaimed joyfully
| to those behind him. Look there. Do you
see that spider webw and be pointed to the
| entrance of the hay loft. There, surely by
providentiaI interpretation. great spider
| web--torn, of course, when l pushed the
| door open-had remained hanging to the
| jambs and during the night the patient In
sect. spinning new threads. had almost re-
| paired the damage. These new stunning
lines spanned the opening. so that no one
| could suppose that men had passed through
| the door that night.
| Yes nv child an insIgnitcat spider had
done that; but shall always believe that
| God had something TO do wlthlt
In face of this evidence the stout official
made ND his mind that there was no use In
| his gong any further. He had certainly
| been very much afraid of falling Oft that
| cornioe. and it was easy to see that but fol-
| fear of ridicule he would not have taken
one step.
What moro is there to tellf The G,ron-
dins were saved for the time being. The
/ official went away. followed by his hus-
| sars end shortly after all the other soldiers
was clear. FASTENED TO the hay loft. and
need not describe the JOY and gratitude OF
| those poor men.
| AsI had feared in a second moro they
| would have push TO the door, thus lnsur'
| ing their destruction.
We gave Thorn something to eat, and they
stayed all day, for it would have been mad
| ness TO leave before night. When it was
and over again. a hundred thousand time,
more than l deserved, for had only done
| my duty.
We watched them till they disappeared
in the darkness. l never knew if they man
| aged to escape or III they were finally over
taken and killed, but have been glad al
| my life that could control my feelings
even though was delicate. Nine. Badouil
let had q rush of blood to the head tina
| lasted two weeks after this fright, ant
Nine. Msrechal went TO bed with an attach
of jaundice. That is ALL Will you have
| piece of jujube. my childf
Jacques NOrmand.