The Portland daily press., 1894-04-30
THE CRIPPLE.

merriest and most dashing fellows about
Paris He was in the ministry of public
works, but although in a splendid position
he was a most unaffected man, without a
trace Of pride in his composition. He was
thoroughly good hearted, jolly fellow
1 was therefore, as yeu will imagine, in
tensely sorry to see him fall hopelessly in
love with beautiful young girl, who was
mixed up with one of the queerest sets
about town. Her brother I had long since
marked out as quiet but dangerous an
archist, and the girl herself was being
courted by a man whom knew to be airing
leader of these desperadoes. You see,
had been giving special attention to that
sort of gentry and was only waiting my
opportunity to pounce upon this particu-
lar one.
So said again it was with more than
regret that saw Emile About succumb to
the destinations of Marie Durand. AT
that time did not know her. I knew
that she was the image of her brother in
feature-so much so that to this day be-
lieve they were twins-and suppose that
led to the inference that she resembled him
in creed and was only less dangerous be-
cause a woman.
I warned Emile of his folly, but of
course knew beforehand that it would
be useless. I did it, as one often will do
such things, in order that I might feel
had done my duty by him. He seemed to
revel in the delight of rousing his rivals
jealousy to the point of madness.
The girl positively hated Dunbovotsk,
Jox II nIy,,j in cr,ita of his
handsome figure, splendid bearing and un-
doubted authority over his fellows 1t
was new thing for Dumbovotsk to meet
all the bulldog discrimination of his tact
turn nature to compel Marie's affection.
When, however, he saw that Emile had
not only entered upon similar campaign,
but had actually carried at the first storm
ing the citadel that had SO strongly held
out against him, he was beside himself
with rage and modification.
1t was with the merriest jokes and laugh
ter that Emile told me of the progress of
his own lovemaking and the accompany
ing growth of his rivals fierce hatred. He
was such a fearless, careless fellow that
he openly enjoyed tormenting and defying
Dumbovotsk, whom others were afraid to
annoy-even secretly.
I thought that harm would certainly
come of it, and times out of number
warned him of the risk he was running,
but he always put me off with a laugh.
= For most of the subsequent details of
the story was indebted to himself and
my own subsequent Investigations, as
must confess that on this occasion the an
archists had completely outwitted me.
Marie had for some little while past been
very much distressed by her brothers
strangely preoccupied air For days she
had been unable to get anything more than
monosyllables from him. He seemed to
think of nothing but some secret, harass-
ing trouble. Every one remarked how ill
he looked Several times Marie had art
fully invited his confidence, but he had a
quiet though settled determination to
hide everything from her. She knew just
enough of her brothers associates and
their aims to make her long that he should
cast them off for ever. But she dared not
openly suggest this to him.
So on this particular day, when, although
he seemed to be worse than ever, he ex-
pressed determined resolve to go out in
the evening, she, womanlike, swiftly de-
cided upon plan of action. Her suspi-
oions had begun to assume horrible and
definite shape She was resolved to find
out everything.
In his tea that afternoon Ernest uncon-
sciously swallowed sleeping draft, which
his sister calculated would amply make
I'D the arrears of rest that he had been re-
Gently accommodating.
Her plan had been suggested to her one
evening when she was tending him as he
lay in delirious sleep. In his mutterings
she heard him say, lie mort est roi, =" and
from his repetition of this phrase she
swiftly concluded that it must be the pass
word of the gang. Then occurred to her
the daring project Of 'personating her
brother Having assured herself that her
brother was now thoroughly asleep from
the effects of the strong potion, she
quickly assumed his clothes and then
made her way to the oonspirators' rendez-
yous Reaching her destination, she found
that she was the first to arrive. With
trembling lip she whispered lie mort est
roi'' to the old man who opened the door,
and Immediately she was led to the coun-
Gil room She thought the old man eyed
her pitifully as he conducted her to the
dark and wretched looking chamber in
which she was to play her daring part
Presently the others began to arrive one
by one in quick succession until about ~
of the most desperate rufians unhung
were assembled round the little fireplace.
Nobody addressed Marie. Indeed they
seemed BY common consent to hold aloof
from her At first she thought they had
discovered her disguise, but soon became
confident that there was other cause for
their avoidance A thousand anxious fears
kept her mind in turmoil, and it required
all her heroic self control to enable her to
play her role that evening. Had Ernest
proved a traitor to his comrades, and was
this the meeting of the judges to pass SEN
tence? What was to be his fate, and when
would he dieP These and other thoughts
soursed through her brain like fire. Once or
twice she involuntarily pressed her hands
to her temples to relieve the violent throb-
bling. Then, with fresh alarm, she noticed
the looks Of Ill concealed pity on the faces
of some of her companions.
This all passed in moment. Before
here was time for further thought the
trident tones of Dulnbovotsk commanded
.ttention. At the sound of his voice Marie
5hiyered with apprehension. There seemed
TO be something in the way that he looked
in her direction that BODIED i'll for her He
pl1lnged at once into business and said:
"You all know our object this evening.
Il