Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-06-07
N A N @ N
WOMEN'S WAR.

CHAPTER XL.
Lenet and Claire.

Lenet and Claire
The two prisoners occupied two adj
joining rooms in the same fortress. The
crowd having seen the preparations,
which satisfied their desire for ven
geance, soon quittejl the prison and
rambled about the town, where, from
time to tlme the cry arose, Death TO
the prisoners! Vengeance for Richour'
These cries called poor Claire from her
prayers, and she surveyed with terror
these ferociouS men, asking herself
how it was possible that they, whom
the prisoners had never Wronged,
should so fiercely desire their death.
"Ohr' cried she, I must 60 to him.
These cries may penetrate to him; he
may think | forget him. Each mo-
ment that | waste here seems a trea-
son to him; | cannot remain in this in
action when, perhaps he is calling for
me. But how shall | see him? what
powers will open the doors for me?
There are guards and enemies around
him, they would think that | wanted
to snatch their victim from them. If
| tell them that / merely wish to see
him, they will not believe me; and,
perhaps, if | try against the orders of
the princess she will be angry. And
yet to let him pass all the long hours
of the night in anguish, is DREADFUL
So absorbed and agitated was she,
that she did not see the door open,
and a man come i'll, who looked at her
pityingly as she lay sobbing, with her
face in her hands. He went up to
her, and touched her gently.
She rose, frightened. "Ah! NJ. Lenet,"
she cried, you have not forgotten me-"
II came to know if could be use
full to you"
Dear NJ. Lenet, you are kind"
Z feared that you were suffering"
said he
Eyes, monsieur, | do suffer"
But have you not obtained all you
asked for? and more, | confess, than
| hoped for"
Yes, but"
II understanding are frightened
at the cries of the people, and you
pity the other unfortunate victim"
Oh cried she, 'egotist that | am.
| never thought of him. No, Lenet; l
confess, with shame, that all my fears,
my prayers, and my tears, were for
him who is to live But | love him so
muchr' added she, passonately.
Poor child" said Lenet, in a tone of
profound pity But why did you not
tell all this soOner|'
"Oh, mon Dieu! Lenet, you brighten
me. I am not too late! He is safe, is
he nOt|
Doubtless, since the princess gave
her word But then why do you
weep"
Il weep because | may not visit
him Consider that he must hear these
frightful cries. and believes his danger
Imminent Think that he may be ac-
cusing me of cowardice, or of cold
ness
Well yicomtesse, you must see him
then"
"See him! but how? For two hours
| have been thinking of a method, and
cannot find one"
and If | offer you one?"
"Oh, Lenet."
Yes, my child. for | love you ike
a father I had asked for an order
for myself to visit the prisoners, but
| do not want it now; take it, there is
no name on it."
Claire took it, and read:
1.-The keeper of the fortress will al
low the bearer to communicate for half
an hour with either of the prisoners.
Claire Clemence De Condo"
you have a mans dress" said
Ienet, put it on, and go"
Claire turned around, and said, DO
you know, NJ. Lenet, you tempt me
cruelty with this paper? Once | am
with my poor Candles again, | am
capable of carrying him away with
me half over the world
"And | would counsel you to do so,
were it possible, but this paper is use
less for that purpose"
True" said she, signing; land yet
she gave him to me, he is mine"
"Now go, madam; this paper gives
you half an hour. 1t is little, i know;
but life will come after, and | trust
a long and happy one
Claire kissed him, as though he had
.,een indeed her father and then went
in to arrange her dress.