Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-06-07

/ "Silencer' said she, IF they knew i
was [, perhaps they would Interrupt
our happiness. At last l see you again
oh, mon Dieu! mon Dieu. how glad
ann and she burst into tears.
But" said Candles, why do yol
weep at seeing me again."
''Oh, my friend, if you knew how
much difficulty | have had to get here
| | could not have done it without tina
dear Lenet; but l am with you, it is
really you, | hold you at last
Yes, it is really me- said Candles
smiling.
Oh" said Claire, 1T is useless, deal
| Candles, do not affect this gaiety with
! me; | know all; they did not know ]
loved you, and had nothing from me-
| But what do you know"
Did you not expect me?' continued
Claire. Were you not angry at my
| silence? Did you accuse me?''
4. no. [ was tormented and disap.
pointed, doubtless, but did not accuse
you. All that troubles me is, that our
marriage is postponed"
Claire looked at him with astonish-
ment Are you speaking seriously, >
she said. Are you really not more
frightened than that
''Frightened?" he answered. Am |
in danger?'
"Oh! he knows nothing" cried she.
No. / know nothing" replied he,
gravely; but you will tell me, Claire?''
You know that Richou is dead?'
Yes
But do you know how"
KILLED at his post, | suppose"
Claire was silent moment; then
said, He was hanged at Libourne."
Candles started. Hanged! RichOu
an officer" Then growing pale, "Ah,
| understand now" he continued, q
understand my arrest and examination
the words Of the officer-your pres
ence and your tears-this crowd and
their menaces. Richou has been as
sassinated, and they will revenge
themselves On me-
mo, my beloved"' cried Claire, mo
it is not you who will be sacrificed.
But you We're condemned-yo were to
die; yes, you have been very near
death, my betrothed. But we may
smile-we may speak OF happiness and
of the future; she who is about to con-
secrate her life to you has saved you.
Be happy, but speak low, or perhaps
you will awaken your unhappy COM
paniOn, he on whom the storm is to
fall-he who is to be the victim
ooh! dear Claire, you freeze me with
terror |, who was so calm-so conf
dent, was about to die; and when?
just at the moment when ] was about
to become your husband. 1t would
have been a double murder"
''They call it reprisals," said she.
Yes, they are right
But you still look sad"
1T is not death that ] fear, if it did
not separate me from you"
IF you were dead, my friend, |
should die too. But do not fear; to-
night, perhaps, you Will leave this
prison; then, without losing a moment,
we will fly. This dreadful city fright
eos me; today, / have saved you
tomorrow some new misfortune may
snatch you from me-"
Dearly loved Claire" cried he,
you give me too much happiness at
once. All, why can you not carry
me away Immediately? Come, my
good angel, open your wings, and fly
away with me-"
Patience, dear husband; tomorrow,
we will go, where-I care not
Then he took her in his arms, and
as he pressed her there, he felt the
tears flow once more. rs this your
happiness?" he asked.
mo, it is the remains of my grief
At this moment the door opened and
the officer announced that the time
had expired.
''Adieu, them said Candles, unless
you will wrap me in a fold of your
cloak, and carry me off,"
ooh, hushv' said she, 'for you know
how I long to do it, We must have pa
tience; in a few hours we shall meet
again.
Il WILL" he declared; 80 courage
and adieu! Claire"
"Adieur' said she, trying to smile;
but breaking again into sobs and tears
"Adieu, adieur' he cried, and again
seized her in his arms, and covered
her with kisses.
"Diable." murmured the officer, "but
that I have just heard that this poor
fellow has nothing to fear, this scene
would be heartbreaking."
When the officer had led Claire
away, he said to Candles, Now, sir;
your unhappy companion-he who is
to die, is alone, and has no one to
comfort him; he asked to see you, and
I promised for you, that you would
grant him this favor"
"Willingly," said Candles; II do not
know him, but that is nothing"
He seems to know you"
Does he know his fate?"
II think not; it is better to leave
him in ignorance. At eleven o'clock
he will be brought to you; if he knows
nothing-tell him nothing"
rs it then certain that he must die?'