The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1895-02-14

vSyV
Then she said, HE Is not fit to die."
understand, foof, that he is worth 8
crowns? And listenl It is too late now.
They are herel''
A blow fell on the door as he spoke,
and he stepped toward it. But at that
despair moved her, and she threw her.
self upon him and for moment wres.
tied with him. At last, with an effort,
he flung her off, and brandishing his
weapon in her face kept her at bay.
"You vixenW he cried savagely, re-
treating to the door, with a pale cheek
and his eyes still on her, for he was an
arrant coward. "You deserve to 60 to
prison with him, you jade! I will have
you in the stocks for this!'
She leaned against the wall where
she had fallen, her white, despairing
face seeming almost to shine in the
darkness of the wretched room. Mean.
while the continuous murmur Of mems
voices outside could now be heard, min.
gled with the ring of weapons, and the
summons for admission was again and
again repeated, as if those without had
no mind to be kept waiting.
patience, patience! am openingp
he cried. Still keeping his face to her,
he unlocked the door and called on the
men to enter. "He is in the straw, M.
le MayorH' he cried in tone Of tri-
umph, his eyes still on his wife. "He
will give you no trouble, will answer
for it! But first give me my crowns,
mayor. My crowns!'
He still felt SO much fear Of his wife
that he did not turn to see the men en-.
ter and was taken by surprise when a
voice at his elbow-a strange voice
said: ''Five crowns, my friend? For
what, may ] ask?"
In his eagerness and excitement he
suspected nothing, but thoughtonly that
the mayor had sent deputy. ''For
what? For the GirondinP he answered
rapidly. Then at last he turned and
found that half a dozen men had enter
ed, and that more were entering. 70
his astonishment, they were all stran-
gers to him-men with stern, gloomy
faces and armed to the teeth. There
was something SO formidable in their
appearance that his voice faltered as be
added: ''But where is the mayor, gen.
tlemen? I do not see him."
No one answered, but in silence the
last Of the men-there were II in all
entered and bolted the door behind him.
Michel Teller peered at them in the
gloom with growing alarm. In return
the tallest of the strangers. who had en-
tered first and seemed to be in command,
looked round keenly. At length this
man spoke $50 you have Girondin
here, have you?" he said, his voice Gu
riously sweet and sonorous.
II was to have crowns for him, /"
Michel muttered obviously.
"Oh, Petion," continued the spokes.
man to one Of his companions, "can
You kindle light? It strikes me that
we have hit upon dark, place.
The man addressed took something
from his pouch. For q moment there
was silence, broken only by the sharp
sound Of the flint striking the steel.
Then sudden glare lit up the dark in.
terror and disclosed the group of cloak.
ed strangers standing about the door,
The light cleaning back from their
muskets and cutlasscs. Michel trembled.
he had never seen such men as these
before. True. they were wet and travel
stained and had the air of those who
spend their nights in bitches and under
haystacks. But their pale, stern faces
were set in indomitable resolve. Their
eyes glowed with a steady fire, and they
trod as kings tread Their leader was a
man Of majestic height and beauty, and
IN his eyes alone there seemed to lurk
! spark Of some lighter fire, as If his
spirit still rose above the task which
,ad sobered his companions. Michel
noted all this In fear and bewilderment;
noted the white head and yet vigorous
oearing of the man who had struck the
light; noted even the manner in which
he light died away in the dim recesses
II the barn.
"And this Girondin-is he in hiding
,ere?" said the tall man.
"That is SO. Michel answered "But
had nothing to do with hiding him,
'itizen. It was my wife hid him in the
traw there"
"And you gave notice Of his presence
% the authorities?" continued the stran.
'er, raising his hand to repress some
movement among his followers.
Certainly, or you would not have
'een here. replied Michel. better salts.
led with himself.
The answer struck him down with an
'wful terror. THAT does not follow"
aid the tall man cooll7. ''for we arc I
"You are?'
without doubt" ths other answer