The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1897-02-25
sat down at a small table. laying a

n observed that amilla was similar
1y occupied. His hearers showed by
their looks hat they perfectly under
stood his meaning, but were either re-
served or unenthusiastic in the matter.
IN. Carnac," he continued, with
grave politeness, bowling to the elderly
gentleman who sat nearest to him, 1T
is from you that we have learned to eX-
pect a critical judgment. Are you NOT
of opinion hat the time has come for
renewed activity?"
1T has come again and again." re-
piled the person addressed, but al
ways without result"
mo doubt" said the colonel; but
that has been solely due to a want of
forethought and energy, which must
not occur again."
Yes. indeed!' exclaimed a short gen.
tleman, with a beard, who was evil
IDENTIFY an Englishman; there have
been good enough plans laid, but no
one fit to be trusted with their execu-
ton"
The third Of the visitors turned upon
the speaker.
You will pardon me-" he said. with
some acrimony, III / differ entirely; 1t
Is. In my opinion, the stay-at-homes
who are to blame, in devising impossi-
bic methods Of which they take the
credit and others the danger!"
Gentlemen" said the colonel, in a
soothing tone, 'you are both right, but
you both speak only according to your
own experience. You, Mr.. Holmes, de-
served success. but your subordinates
failed you. You, NJ. lie Comte, followed
your instructions with a courage and
loyalty which would have secured a
triumph If your directors had not made
a cruel mistake in their calculations.
These two fatal forms Of error must be
avoided. We must think and act with
equal certainty, and all will be we'll"
Mr.. Holmes shook his head in sulky
silence. The Comte de R~abodanges ex-
claimed, fiercely, 1T is too much to x
pect; the cat hoes not offer her paw a
second time,"
During this alteration Camilla had
sat silent, but with growing impotence;
her eyes flashed and her cheeks were
fiery-red. The colonel, always ready to
turn the force of others to account for
his own FASTENED to give the
final impulse to her pent-up indigna-
ton. He looked at her, and raised his
SilOUldtI dIiuNty cDION III Il gesture u
resignation.
YOU" she cried; you too despair at
the eleventh hour? What do these
doubts and recriminations mean? Do
none Of you any more remember the
greatness of the cause you serve?
Have you begun to forget the emper-
orr"
AS the lightning Of this word flashed
upon them her hearers started violent
ly.
All" she went on. with quickening
breath, there is magic in the name!
1t Is perhaps because you whisper 1t
so seldom that it has ceased of late to
stir you: let us be holder in speech and
Drawer in action!"
Madame" replied M. Carnac, depre-
catingly, and with a bow Of genuine ad-
miration, your enthusiasm Is heroic.
but 1t is not prudent; the boldness that
you preach is likely to bring discomf-
ture upon US ALL"
"Discomfiture!' she cried with ringing
scorn. What, then. does the timidity
you practice bring upon the emperor?
Are we to preserve our own freedom at
the price of his captivity, and amid the
luxury Of a great capital to hut our
eyes to the misery Of his exile on a lone-
ly rock unfit for human habitation?"
There was an awkward silence. After
a moments pause she went on again in
a more pleading tone.
Let us for an instant look back"
h a earnestly, upon the splendor
of his past career, and then consider 70
what the rancor of his enemies has
brought him The mar Of action, for
whose deeds Europe was not wide
enough. confined within a circuit of n
dozen miles! The man of genius re-
fused wen the ~companionship of his
bestowed books! The commander Of
armies with but a pair of lackeys at his
call; h make and dethroner Of kings
denied his royal title! Do you not
know" she cried, and her voice rang
deep again with anger, do o not
know that his house is but a moldering
Jail, and his allowance a prisoners pitt
lance? Himself the most magnificently
generous Of men, he has been driven by
sordid necessity to melt his plate; he
suffers in health, he is in danger. He
just heaven!-from the inspiration OF
whose life we drew the spirit that ami
mates our own"
well spoken" cried the colonel,
skillfully following up the advantage
she had gained for him; well spoken!
And all that we then had shall 500 be
ours again; is it not worth one more
effort my friends?"
"It is, indeed" murmured NJ. Carnac,
with a sigh. The Comte de Rabodanees
grumbled, IF only 1T were the last"
Mr.. Holmes settled himself in his chair.
"Wellb he said bIuDtly ''let'S bear
your plan, If you've got one"
The colonel united his bundle of
papers and spread them out upon the
table in front of him.
Lrn nm