The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1894-09-20

my bosom--my hand upon it. 1 could
not fail TO hit the mark, for he would
pass within yard of fne.
"One barrel for him, the other for
mew ! kept repeating, and thus the
night wore away and the gray dawn
broke at last
First liveried servitor--as naughty
as his master--marched down the walk
and unbarred the massive gate. Then
other tokens of life appeared about
the villa. A maid was singing about
her work she had clear, sweet voice.
Somehow it sounded like my mothers,
though in what manner / could not
tell. Perhaps she sang the same
ditty that had heard her sing to my
little sister. These recollections
brought the tears to my eyes, but |
gripped the pistol all the more firmly.
At last saw him come from the hall
and pass down the marble steps into
the garden. He was handsome, i'm.
posing old man. aud hearty looking, as
though he had yet many years OF
life before him. alone knew that he
had but a few moments. i wonld let
him enjoy the sweet morning air for
little while, and then
zone barrel for him the other for
youl"
l could almost have sworn that 1t
was Pulaski's voice in my ear, yet
startled glance around assured me
that / WAS alone in the shrubbery.
And he was coming down the path to.
ward me. On his breast were several
decorations, for he was never seen
abroad--not even in his garden
without being fully dressed. How
the baubles glittered in the sunlight T!
In few moments his life blood would
blot out their brightness, for he was
coming nearer, and the pistol was in
my hand now
Ny finger trembled on the trigger I;
yet would wait moment. He would
be nearer; and, besides, the air was
sweet, and how beautifully the sun
light sparkled through the spray of
the fountain
Suddenly there was an eager, child
ish shout from the villa, and a little
figure dashed out over the portal and
down the path with cry OF "Gran'
PEREZ" Such lovely fairy-like crea-
ture as she was She was like my
little sister. and he swung her up into
his arms and kissed her Just as | had
often kissed Joan ere she died.
Il went to the garden seat near by
and drew her to his knee. How low.
ingly she threw her arms about his
neck and patted his cheek with her
tiny hands All, how she would feel
when they found him lying dead in
the gardenl One might easily SEQ
that her loving little heart was wholly
given over to him. 'Twould be a pity
to break that little heart, yet even
then the pistol was turned full upon
him.
And while she prattled on, and he
listened, and / watched the two, a
sudden tumult arose outside the gar.
den. There were hoarse cries, and
the trampling c.-,-ly feet, and :cto-
the garden N ,te of which the
porter had FF.s~ all covered with
foam and N.st, and with the froth
driveling from his savage jaws, dashed
n huge, shaggy brute, and rushed up
the path toward those two on the
seat.
"Mon Dieu!" he cried, and put her
quickly behind him, facing the mad
dened beast empty handed as he was.
"For her sake !" | muttered, and
rising from the covert | fired the
first barrel of the pistol. The brute
sprang high into the air, and then fell
back to the dust, dead.
While the people crowded
in, | escaped There was still n
little money in my purse, and
| left Paris and hastoned to
Havre, there to take passage for
America. | crept about the dark
streets ut night until | could find an
opportunity to embark from. my ma
tive land, and there Pulaski found me.
knew he would come; | had seen
it in his cruel eyes when he left me
that day in the room behind the to-
bacconist's. | had not been II traitor,
but the child had shielded him with
her innocence.
Pulaski sprang upon me in a lonely
place perhaps he had been dogging
me for days; know not.
~ have found you," he said, in his
deep, rumbling voice. "Traitor You
were the chosen messenger of death !;
you drew the lot; why did you not
keep your oath?'
could say naught.
"Self accused, you die by my hand :"
he hissed, and | saw the flash OF the
steel above my head; but | had the
pistol still.
"One barrel for him." | shouted,
"this one for you!"
Il fired and as ran from the spot |
looked back and saw his huge body
sway forward, and fall, a dead thing,
upon the pavement,
Then came to America. | am an
old man now; but can ever forget ?
-Munsey's Magazine.