The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-05-16

triumph. Again he spoke:
"Gentlemcn, 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
scious of what took place Tie "breth-
rem" were used to such scenes, so Maries
helplessness excited no remark. With
somewhat moro than usual gentleness for
him, Dumbovotsk placed herin kneeling
posture with head bent while he took VI
position prestwise over her
Then the men solcmnly incanted some
thing, of which she but dimly remembered
the words brother, ""dcatb, oath and
"glory." These scared themselves like
brands upon her confused senses. Pres
emily she became aware that Dunbovotsk
was addressing her. Quit gently now
or perhaps insinuatingly would be bet
ter tcrm-though with an undcrtone of
malicious triumph in his voice. he prompt
ed her in her replies She was conscious of
saying yes, mo, "'no, yes, in faint
whispers; then hcrtormcnter raised her
from the floor, andWhilc the gang solemn
ly said eve witn'ss, Dumbovotsk hand
ed her n DUNN, bomb, which, at his in
n.
bcr hnnds too. them in his own-shc was
thankful tho she wore her brothers heavy
glovcs-whie4le said;
ERNEST Durand, in this enterprise we
are comNdes | will not leave you, |
swcar!'
Onccmorc the gang chimcd in, eve
witnos, and then their captain dismissed
then Slowly they filed out, casting looks
of eidcnt i'll favor at their dreaded leader
Mrie went last and fingered in the shad-
oj of u doorway while she heard Dumbo-
DISK take leave of Francois with final
words of instruction for the morrow.
When she saw the latter hurrving away
homeward, she approached the lingering
captain with beating heart, but a firm,
decided step, He started involuntarily as
she suddenly confronted him, but speedily
recovered himself, saying
"Halloa, Ernest, what is the question:"
81 am not Ernest" broke forth Marie
in tones of pitcous appeal. 81 am his sis
ter, and l implorc you to spare him. You
only can save him. l beg my brothers |
life of you!"
With n gesture of angry impatience |
Dumbovotsk turned and Kissed:
$50 | have been tricllcd by willful |
jade have |? Hussy, tell you your broth
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 hooking voice. 81 myself
will 90 and administer the oath now. As
for you -
AT this he made stride forward, but
Marie was too quick for him. Pluckina
a long knife from her bosom, she sprang at
him. The blade flashed in the rays of
lamp near by, and with a groan the dread
ed captain of the brotherhood sank lifcless
to the ground. She cast one glance at the
body and fled. She ran till she was breath
less, then paused to think For Il moment
her brain refused to act-it was a seething
mass Of wild thoughts and disconnected
pictures. But with supreme effort she
controlled herself. Her decision was in
slant She would warn Emile. \ mo-
mcnt more, and she was speeding toward
his lodgings
Luckily he answered her summons at
once. In few moments he had heard her
Drcathlcss story For Il moment he was
silent. Then he said;
1--WE must run home to Ernest Per
laps he is waking, and thcn''-
lie was afraid to finish the sentcnce-a
great fear seemed to overcome him. The
picture Of a 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 experience
ng some relief in the strong handclasp OF
Ter lover. Reaching home, they ran
straight to Ernest room. For moment
hey paused at the doorway, their faces
)lanchcd with fear Upon their Mortified
gaze broke the spectacle of Ernest sitting