Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1895-12-16
The End ofCapt. Ferguson.
There are many people?''

streets round about; at the outskirts
of the crowd they jostle and quarrel
with one another for places whence
they may see; towards the center
they stand closer,-so close that a
man might walk from the council
house to the fountain upon the heads
They gather closest Of all about-the
scaffold.D
"And why not? Nine men to die!
It's brave sight," Ferguson leaned
back comfortably in his chair and put
his feet on neighboring stool; to see
him you scarcely would have suspect
ed that he was one of the uine. "No
common malefactors, either, but some
Of the best swords in Bohemia, ay, or
in Europe, too; officers Of the great
generallissimo Waldstein himself
curse him!'' Ferguson relapsed into
his native tongue and rolled off sever
al honest Scotch oaths.
Dietrichstein faced about with his
back against the window: eve have
been gallant followers Of the duke
eh, Ferguson? We did not run away
from the field Of battle; we were not
condemned to death for cowardice."
"Cowardice! His grace the duke
galloped from Luetzen as if the devil
himself were on his crupper. He was
here in Prague a good three hours be-
fore me-"
1.-The better for you, them" said
Dietrichstein miserably. Il could bear
this myself if were guiltless. But I
I was coward; l have disgraced
myself and the blood from which I
spring; have betrayed the cause of
my church and my Emperor"
An expression of amusement at this
novel manner of viewing the situation
passed over Ferguson's face; his lips
twitched into d smile under his red
dish brown musUache. Dietrichstein's
face flushed. ''You do not uuder-
stand me,'' he said. Chow can you?
A soldier of fortune a mere hired
sWord-o
The stool went crashing to the floor
as Ferguson started to his feet. "Now,
by the Lord, that is too much, Albert
Dietrichstein. Though there is not an
hours life left me, [ will have salts
faction for those words"
The halberdier posted at the other
end of the long room came hurrying
to the spot; behind him the priest,
saying something aoout leaving the
WI
Ferguson sat down again sullenly; it
vexed him to hear the man in the
black robe talk about eternity. Evil
IDENTIFY it affected Dietrichstein diff
ferently, for he spoke out frankly:
81 am sorry Ferguson; | hardly knew
what [ said. What does it matter now,
anyway?"
ga mans honor matters to him as
long as there is a breath of life in his
badly" muttered Ferguson.
Dietrichstein did not hear him; he
was standing side to the window once
more with his face pressed close
against the panes. "They are bring
ing Won Kroneberg to the block" he
said, duly.
''The turn will soon come to us
them" said Ferguson, gazing curious
ly at his companion; something about
the short, almost boyish figure re-
minded him of his friend Rupert Won
Lobkowitz A friend, indeed! Won
Lobkowitz had not been near him for
three days. Oh, it was cautious of
the fellow; he might comprise himself
by showing interest to a condemned
man. Yet Ferguson could not think
he would have treated Rupert so. An
odd, choking sound startled him;
Dietrichstein reeled in his place,
clutching at the sill for support; his
face was grayish white. els it over?,,'
Ferguson asked.
Dietrichstein nodded, swallowed,
and said, family, it took five blows
five; I counted Them"
''The more fool you'll" said Fergu-
son, roughly, because he felt just bit
sick himself. Dietrichstein moisten-
ed his dry lips with his tongue; then
he staggered across the room and
flung himself full length at the feet of
the priest, burying his face in his
arms. "Mary Mother, take pity on
me-" he groaned. The priest knelt
beside him. Ferguson jerked his
chair around nois1ly: he wished to see
and hear nothing more of Dietrich
stein; he despised such snivelling
knaves.
The wintry sunshine, streaming
through the window, threw a checker
ed patch of light upon the dingy floor.
Ferguson vainly sought to count the
littlo his thoI,cckatc. yxoI,Id