Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-08-11
TOO cruel. too unjust I win see this
Barras."
They will not let you get to him,

TOO cruel, too unjust I viii see thii
Barras."
They win not let you get to him
my poor child"
Il will write to him, then"
He will not read it."
Il will place the letter in his hands
myself; you shall not prevent me. II
must be DONE"
And Adele poured out in her Letter
a passionate appeal TO the dreaded Bar
ras in her fathers behalf.
Adele de Tremoille entered the
courtroom boldly, although her hear
beat rapidly and objects seemed io
swim before her eyes. In her hand she
ciasped tightly a letter addressed &c
Barras.
Il wish to see the president of the
tribunal" she demanded, in low tone.
Of the clerk who sat writing at a
desk.
Citizen Barras has this moment left
the tribunal. He will not be back until
tomorrow" replied the clerk.
He is even now on the staircase
Il ACA-oA hta a man " ~ udQ JUST CulCIEQ.
and who overheard the question.
Without waiting to thank her inform
ant, Adele FASTENED from the room and
down the stairway. In the passage on
the landing below two men stood talk
ing. AS she set foot upon the stairs
they separated, one coming up and the
other proceeding along the hallway to
pass out into the street.
IN. Barras, a wordl" cried Adele, in
terrible anxiety lest he should not hear
her.
II am Citizen Barras," said the man.
turning and looking up at her.
Citizen Barras, here is paper for
you. Read it, / pray you, and then
grant me leave to speak to you" She
leaned over the rail and held out the
letter for him to take.
Mechanically he reached up his hand
and took it.
Il have seen you BEFORE" be said.
abruptly.
Il do not know; do not remember"
she said, trembling. II am Mile. de Ire
noble. All, monsieur mean citizen
If you will only read that letter."
Barras continued to Look at her fix
eddy.
THAT gesture. as you reached me this
paper, was strangely familiar" he said.
rs my memory playing tricks with
me? All, have i'll" he cried out. -
remember now. l see a rose-covered
terrace and a little girl leaning over
a wall on which are a dog and doll.
In the street below is a boy, ragged and
dirty. All, | know him well, that boy.
She plucks a rose and gives it TO him.
You were that little child"
at was only rose that gave you"
said the countess, hardly daring 10
breathe, land have come to ask OF
you for my fathers life. Marquis de
Tremoille is to be tried as suspect.
He who was always so good and gen
erous and kind"
ale is an aristocrat," remarked Bar
ras, with the corner of his mouth hard
eniDg.
Born of the nobility" said Coun-
less Adele, my father was one of the
first to raise up his voice for the peo-
pie; and now that he is old, broken in
health and stripped of fortune, they
seek his life. Is that justice? Oh, sir.
if you will only read what have writ
tea. l have set it all forth so clearly
in writing that you cannot fail being
convinced"
He spoke to save the king" replied
Barras.
"For the king and the constitution he
had sworn to uphold. Yes. You are q
young man, Citizen Barras, with long
life before you. viii you at the end OF
that life be willing to look back and re-
member that you had been the instru-
ment of bringing to the scatfold an old
nan who was only guilty OF being loya
to his oath? / plead with you, Citizen
Barras, as a daughter who viii be
broken-hearted at her fathers deaSh. ]
plead with you for your own souls
sake not to condemn my father to the
guillotine. You are tearing my letter.
You viii not read it? All, have pity,
It contains the cry of a daughters
heart. 1t is still wet with her tears"
Barras looked up at the figure Of the
young woman, who held out her hand
to him beseechingly. His fingers ner-
tore in fragments the letter
he had been holding.
"Aiademoiselle," he said, with an ef-
fort to speak calmly, Il have seen you;
I have heard you. / have no need to
read your suppiication. believe your
father to be guiltless of all crime
against the republic. The tribunal
here he hesitated The tribunal will
doubtless acqu:t him. l can say no
more at present." And without wait
ing for her reply he hurried out into
the street.
Adele stood for moment bewildered.
Then with bounding heart she left
the building and few homeward.
AS her old governess folded her to her
,reast the countess shed tears of Joy. |