The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-01-10

4 WOIu. otUeFWISc sue IeIleu On uer CLOSE re
semblance to her brother, and her unfailinI
self-eommand to carry her through with TIN
dangerous undertaking. Reaching her des
tination, she found that she was the first t.
arrive. With trembling lip she whispered
lie mort est roi,' TO the old man who opened
the door, and Immediately she was led to tn,
cuuncil-room. She thought the old mar
eyed her pitifully as he conducted her IL
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 90 OF
the most desperate ruffians unhung were
assembled round the tie fireplace.
| Nobody addressed Marie; indeed, they
seemed by common consent to hold aloot
from her. At first she thought they had
discovered her disguise, and 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 n 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 die? These and other such
thoughts coursed through her brain like
fire. Once or twice she invouutarily pressed
her hands 10 her temples to relieve the vio-
lent throbbing. Then, with fresh alarm,
she noticed the looks of iil-concealed pity on
the faces of some of her companions.
This all passed in moment. Before
there was time for further thought the stri-
dent tones of DumbovOtsk commanded at
tention. AT the sound of his voice Marie
shivered with apprehension. There seemed
to be something in the way that he looked
l. 4 A
plunged at once into business and said:
"' You all know our object this evening.
We needn't waste any words, then. Ernest
Durand,' he said, turning to the trembling
Marie, 'you understand that you put your
little iorget-me-not underneath the Ministry
of Public Works at IL o'clock tomorrow
morning? Francois and | will look after
YOU
Instantly Marie's mind flew to the con-
cealment that her brother had been exercis-
ing, the secret preparations in which she had
once or twice surprised him. Her mind
turned sick with fear.
Dumb0votsk's announcement was re-
ceived in solemn silence, which was finally
broken by one OF the brothers, who said:
:" But why the Ministry of Public
W0rks?'
A low growl of approval greeted this
question. Dumbovotsk looked round with
an angry and contemptuous sneer and said:
V Because / command ii. Does anyone
wish to break his oath and -
Here he broke off with laugh that sent
shlver through Marie, and made the men
cover away from Him until he stood in solI-
tary triumph. Again he spoke:
Gentlemen, Durand has to take the
oath and then your pleasant little reunion
may dissolve 7s'9I
Upon this the men formed ring by
joining hands, and the hateful leader him
self led Marie to the center. For the fol-
lowing few momcuts she was scarcely con-
scious Of what took place. The brethren
were used TO such scenes, so Marie's help
lessness excited no remark. With some
what more than usual genteness Tor him,
Dam nibovotsk placed her IN kneeling post
ure, with head bent, while he took up a po-
sition priest-wise over her.
Then the men solemnly incanted some
thing, OF which she could but dimly remem-
Der the words brother DEATH OATH and
glory These scared themselves like brands
upon her confused tnses. Presently she
became aware that D4f fnboyotsk was address
ing her. Quite gently now-or, perhaps in
sinuaiingly would be a better tcrm-tbough
with an undertone of malicious triumph in
his voice, he prompted her in her replies.
She was conscious of saying yes no. no.
{ yes in Il faint whisper, then her tOrmentor
raised her from the floor, and while the
gang solemnly said, We witness Dumbo-
votsk handed her dummy bomb, which at
his instruction she kissed. After this he
crossed her hands, took them in his own
she was thank full that she wore her brothers
heavy gloves-while he said:
80 Ernest DuraEd, in this enterprise we are
comrades; | will not leave you, swear
Once more The gang chimed in, We wit
ness and then their Captain dismissed them.
Slowly they filed out casting looks of evil
dent ill-favor at their dreaded leader. Marie
went last and fingered in the shadow of a
doorway while she heard Dumbovotsk take
leave Of Francois, with words Of instruction
for the morrow. When she saw the latter
lurrying away hOmeward she approached
the lingering Captain with beating heart,
but firm, decided step. He started involnn-
tarily as she suddenly confronted him, but
speedily recovered himself, saying:
80 Halloa, Ernest, what is the question:
al am not Ernest broke forth Marie, in
tones of piteous appeal; / am his sister, and
| implore you to spare him. You only can
save him; / beg my brothers life of you'll
with guesture of angry impatience
turned and hissed:
s. So have been tricked by a willful jade,
have /? Hussy, tell you your brother has
had his chance. He refused TO help me win
you, and this is his punishment. He shall
be the murderer of the man he hoped to see
his sister marry. Don't delude yourself
that you have saved him. he added in a
mOcking voice. myself will go and adj
minister the oath now. As for you -
"At this he made stride forward but
Marie was too quick for him. Plucking a
long knife from her bosom she sprang at him.
The blade flashed in The rays of lamp near
by, and with groan the dreaded Captain
Of the brotherhood sank lifeless to the ground. |
She cast one glance at the body and fled. |
She ran till she WAS breathless, then paused |
to think. For a moment her brain refused
to act; 1T was seething mass of wild |
thoughts and disconnected pictures. But |
with supreme effort she controlled herself. |
Her decision was instant. She would warn |
Emile. A moment more and she was speed |
ing toward his lodgings.
Luckily he answered her summons at |
once. In few moMents he had heard her |
lent, then he said: ..
60 We must run home to Ernest; perhaps |
he is waking, and then r.
He was afraid TO finish the sentence, a |
great fear seemed te overcome him. The |
picture of sick man in the last stage of |
mental weakness, and goaded on by the |
worst fear, rose TO his mind.
Together they flew off, Marie experience