The Portland daily press., 1894-04-30

moru,w morning? Francois and / will
look after you. ma
Instantly Marie's mind flew to the con-
cealment that her brother had been exer-
cising. the secret preparations in which
she had once or twice surprised him. Her
mind turned sick with fear.
Dumboyotsk's announcement was re-
ceiyed in solemn silence, which was finally
broken by one of the brothers, who said:
"But why the ministry Of public
works?"
A low growl of approval greeted this
question. Du1nbovotsk looked round, with
an angry and eontemptuous sheer, and
said:
because I command it. Does any one
wish TO break his oath and''- Here he
broke off with a laugh that sent shiver
through Marie and made the men cover
away from him until he stood in solitary
triumph. Again he spoke:
"Gentlemen, Durand has to take the
oath, and then our pleasant little reunion
may dissolve"
Upon this the men formed ring by
Joining hands, and the hateful leader him
self led Marie to the center. For the fol-
lowing few moments she was scarcely con-
SClOuS OIL Wuttt UOOh PItSC IhiO DAoo>1
rem were used to such scenes, SO Marie's
helplessness excited no remark. Win
somewhat more than usual gentleness for
him, Dumbovotsk placed her in akneeling
posture, with head bent, while he took up
a position priestwise over her.
Then the men solemnly incanted some
thing, of which she but dimly remembered
the words t'brother, ""death, 'toath" and
MI ,cn1xro
brands upon her confused senses. Pres
entity she became aware that Dumbovotsk
was addressing her. Quite gently now
or perhaps insiruatingly would be bet
ter term-though with an undertone OF
malicious triumph in his voice, he prompt
ed her in her replies. She was conscious OF
saying yes, '"no, ""no," Eyes, - in faint
whispers; then her tormenter raised her
from the floor, and while the gang solemn
" said, "We witness" Dumbovotsk hand
ed her dummy bomb, which, at his in
struotion, she kissed. After this he crossed
her hands, took them in his own-she was
thankful that she wore her brothers heavy
gloves-while he said:
ERNEST Durand, in this enterprise we
are comrades. I will not leave you,s l
swear!'
Once more the gang chimed in, I'VE
witness" and then their captain dismissed
them. Slowly they filed out, casting looks
of evident ill favor at their dreaded leader.
Marie went last and fingered in the shad-
ow of a doorway while she heard Dumbo-
yotsk take leave of Francois, with final
words of instruction for the morrow.
When she saw the latter hurrying away
homeward, she approached the lingering
captain with beating heart, but firm,
decided step. He started involuntarily as
she suddenly confronted him, but speedily
recovered himself, saying:
'tHalloa, Ernest, what is the question:
ct am not Ernest" broke forth Marie
in tones of piteous appeal. Il am his SIS
ter, and inplore you to spare him. You
only can save him. I beg my brothers
life of youP'
With gesture of angry impatience,
Dumbovotsk turned and Kissed:
$50 I have been tricked by willful
Jade, have l? Hussy, tell you your broth
er has had his chance. He refused to help
me win you, and this is his punishment.
He shall be the murderer of the man he
hoped to see his sister marry. Don't de-
lude yourself that you have saved him, ;"
he added in hooking voice. II myself
will go and administer the oath now. As
FOR you"-
At this he made stride forward, but
Marie was too quick for him. Pluck1ng
a long knife from her bosom, she sprang at
him The blade flashed in the rays OF
lamp near by, and with groan the dread
ed captain of the brotherhood sank lifeless
to the ground. She cast one glance at the
body and fled. She ran till she was breath
less, then paused to think. For moment
her brain refused to act-it was seething
mass of wild thoughts and disconnected
pictures But with supreme effort she
controlled herself. Her decision was in
slant. She would warn Emile. A mo-
ment more, and she was speeding toward
his lodgings.
i Luckily he answered her summons at
once In few moments he had heard her
breathless story. For moment he was
silent Then he said:
ssWe must run home to Ernest! Per-
haps he is waking, and them
He was afraid to finish the sentences
great fear seemed to overcome him. The
picture of sick man in the last stage of
mental weakness and goaded on by the
worst fear arose before his mind.
Together they few off, Marie experience
ing some relief in the strong handclasp OF
her lover Reaching home, they ran
straight to Ernest's room. For moment
they paused at the doorway, their faces
blanched with fear. Upon their Mortified
gaze broke the spectacle Of Ernest sitting
up in bed and toying with bomb. His
hair was disheveled; his eyes were almost
bursting from their sockets in wild deli
rum. AS he caught sight Of them he
shrieked out:
'tThe oath, the oath! Ikiss-see, kiss!'
Then he kissed the deadly toy as Marie
had kissed the shell in the ceremony.
Breaking from Emile at this moment, she
rushed forward to pluck the shell from her
brothers. trembling hands, crying:
''The bomb-then this is what you have
been hiding from me, Ernestn'
Before she could reach him he fell back,
with groan, and let his plaything fall,
with crash, at her feet. There was sick
ening explosion, confused murmur as OF
many waters, and Emile knew no more I'M
til he awoke in the street to find some
anxious friends bending over him and
watching for signs of returning life. He
found that sweetheart and brother were
dead, that in one brief moment the happi'
ness had faded from his life.
From that day to this he and l have
been the only persons acquainted with the
f~~-