Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1894-04-13

your little fOrgctlncnOt underneath the
ministry of public works at IL o'clock to-
morrow morning? Francois and l will
look after you.
Instantly Maric's mind flew to the con-
ccalmcnt that her brother had been excr-
csng, the secret preparations in which
she had once or twice surprised him. Her
mind turned sick with fear.
Dumbovotsk's announcement was re-
ccivcd 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. Dumbovotsk looked round, with
nh angry and contcmptuous snecr, and
said:
because command it. Does any one
wish to break his oath and Here he
broke Off with laugh that sent shiver
through Marie and made the men COVER
away from him until he stood in solitary
triumph. Again he spoke:
"Gcntlcmcn, Durand has TO take tho
oath, and then our pleasant little reunion
may dissolve. "
Upon this the mon formed a 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
scious of what took place. The "brcth-
rem were used to such scenes, so Maric's
hclplcssncss excited no remark With
somewhat more than usual gcntlencss for
him, DumbovOtsk placed her in "A kncclng
posture, with head bent while he took up
position pricstwisc over her.
Then the men sOcmnly incanted some
thing, of which she but dimly remembered
the words "brothcr, ""dcath, s" "oathn and
"gory" These scared themselves like
brands upon her confused senses. Pres
emily she became aware that Dumbovotsk
was addressing her. Quite gently now
or perhaps in,nuatngly would be q bet
ter tcrm-though with an undcrtonc of
malicious triumph in his voice, he prompt
ed her in her replies. She was conscious of
saying yes emo, ""no " Eyes, " in faint
whispers; then her tolmcntcr raised her
from the floor, and while the gang solemn
ly said eve witness, - Dumbovotsk hand
ed her dummy bomb, which, at his in
struction, she kissed. After this he crossed
her hands, took them in his own-she was
thankful that she wore her brothers heavy
glovCs-whilc he said:
Ernest Durand, in this enterprise we
are comrades l will not leave you,
swcar!'
Once more the gang chimcd in, eve
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 II doorway while she heard Dumbo-
votsk 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 a firm,
decided step. He started Involuntary as
she suddenly confronted him, but speedily
recovered himself, saying:
"IIalloa, Ernest, what is the question:"
81 am not Ernest" broke forth Marie
in tones of pitcous appeal. 81 am his sis
ter, and implorc you to spare him. You
only can save him. 1 beg my brothers
life of you!''
With IL gesture of angry impatience,
Dumbovotsk turned and Missed:
$50 ! have been tricked by willful
jade, have l? Hussy, tell you your broth
CIR 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
ludc yourself that you have saved him, "
he added in mocking voice. 81 myself
will go and administer the oath now AS
for you -
At this he made a stride forward, but
Mario was too quick for him. Plucking
long knife from her bosom, she sprang at
him. The blade flashed in the rays of Il
lamp near by, and with groan the dread
cd captain of the brotherhood sank lifclcss
to the ground. She cast one glance at the
body and fed. She ran till she was breath
less, then paused to think. For Il moment
her brain refused to act-it was a scething
mass of wild thoughts and disconnected
pictures. But with a supreme effort she
controlled herself. Her decision was in
slant. She would warn Emile. A mo-
mCnt more, and she was speeding toward
his lodgings.
Luckily he answered her summons at
once. In II few moments he had heard her
brcathlcss story. For Il moment he was
silent. Then he said
eve must run home to Ernest Per
haps he is waking, and thcn'-
He was afraid to finish the scntcnce-a
great fear seemed to overcome him. The
picture of Il sick man in the last stage Of
mental weakness and goadcd ON by the
worst fear arose before his mind.
Together they flew off, Marie experienc-
ing some relief in the strong handclasp OF
her lover. Reaching home, they ran
straight to Ernest 5 room For Il moment
they paused at the doorway, their faces
blanchcd with fear Upon their Mortified
gaze broke the spectacle of Ernest sitting
up in bed and toying with IA bomb. His
hair was disheveled; his eyes were almost
bursting from their sockets in wild deli
rum. AS he caught sight of them he
shricked out:
1.-The oath, the oath! kiss-see, kissl'
Then he kissed the deadly toy rs Marie
had kissed the shell in the ceremony
Breaking from Emile at this moment, she
rushed forward pluck the shell from her
brothers trembling hands, crying:
1.-The bomb-thcn this is what you have
been hiding from me, ErnestV'
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, a confused murmur as of
many waters, and Emile knew no more I'M
til he awokc in the street to find some
anxious friends bending over him and
watching for signs of returning life. He
found that sweetheart and brother We're
dead, that i'm one brief moment the happi-
ness had faded from his life.
Il. IL.