Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1896-03-26

AOu VIII nave 10 walt mere, said
the little man. IT'LL the rest Of them
have been tried and sentenced; and
then you will all go to prison in lump.
Ha. citizen" he continued, observing
Lomaque at the other end of the hail
and bustling up to him. Here still,
EN-? II you were going to stop much
longer, l should ask favor of you"
Il am in no hurry" said Lomaque,
with glance at the two prisoners.
Good" cried the hunchback, draw
ing his hand across his mouth. IT am
parched with thirst. and dying to moist
en- my throat at the wine shop over the
way. Just mind that man and woman
while I'm gone, will you? It's the mer-
est form-there's guard outside. the
windows are barred. the tribunal is
within hail. Do you mind obliging
me?"
"oa the contrary. I am glad of the
opportunity"
That's a good fellow-and. remem-
Der, If I am asked for, you must say
was obliged to quit the court for few
minutes, and left you in charge"
With these words. the humpback Jail
er ran off to the wine shop.
He had scarcely disappeared before
Trudaine crossed the room. and caught
Lomaque by the arm.
Save her." he whispered, there Is
an opportunity-save herr His face
was fushed-his eyes wandered his
breath on the chief-agent's cheek while
he spoke felt scorchlngly hot. Save
her!" he repeated, shaking Lomaque by
the arm, and dragging him toward the
door. Remember all you owe to my
father-remember our talk on that
bench by the river-remember what
you said to me yourself on the night
of the arrest-don't wait to think-save
her, and leave me without word! If
die alone can die as a man should
If she goes to the scaffold by my side
my heart will fail mel shall die The
death Of coward! have lived for her
life-let me die for 1t, and | die happy"
He tried to say more, but the violence
Of his agitation forbade it. He could
only shake the arm he held again and
again, and point to the bench on which
Rose sat-her head sunk on her bosom,
her hands crossed listlessly on her lap.
There are two armed sentinels out
| cfH bn ,rtfV, do hoprnH--Un1I n
without weapons-and even II you had
them there is a guard-house within hail
on one side of you and the tribunal on
the other. Escape from this room is
impossible" answered LomaQue.
Impossible" repeated the other, flu
riously. You traitor! you coward! can
you look at her sitting there helpless
her very life ebbing away already with
every minute that passes, and tell me
coolly that escape is impossible?"
In the frenzy of his grief and despair,
he lifted his dlsengaged hand threat
ening!y while he spoke. Lomaque
caught him by the wrist, and drew him
toward window open at the top.
you are not in your right senses"
said the chief-agent, firmly; anxiety
and apprehension on your sisters ac-
count have shaken your mind. Try to
compose yourself and listen to me. l
have something important to say
(Trudaine looked at him incredulously)
Important" continued Lomaque, "as
affecting your sisters interest at this
terrible crisis"
That last appeal had an lnstantane-
GUS effect. Trudaine's outstretched hand
dropped to his side, land sudden change
passed over his expression.
"Give me a moment" he said, family;
and turning away, leaned against the
wall, and pressed his burning forehead
on the chill, damp stone. He did not
raise his head again till he had mas
tered himself, and could say quietly,
Speak, am fit to hear you, and sufi-
ciently in my senses to ask your for
giveness for what l said Just now"
when left the tribunal and entered
this ROOM" Lomaque began in whis-
per, there was no thought in my mind
that could be turned to good account,
either for your sister or for You. /
was fit for nothing but to deplore the
failure of the confession which l came
to st. Lazare to suggest to you as your
best plan of defense. Since then, an
idea has struck me, which may be use
ful-an idea so desperate, so uncertain
involving a proposal so absolutely
dependent as to its successful execu-
ton, on the merest chance, that / re-
fuse to confide 1t to you except on one
condition"
Mention the condition! 1 submit to
1t beforehand"
"Gtye me your word Of honor that
YOU will not mention what am about
to say TO your sister until l grant you
permission to speak. Promise me that
when you see her shrinking before the
terrors of death tonight, you will have
self-restraint enough to abstain from
breathing a word Of hope to her. ask
this, because there are ten-twenty-
fifty chances to one that there Is no