The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1898-04-09

tell him how when the revolution ceme
my father was the first of the nobles
to urge the surrender of their priv
ileges; how he has given up his rights,
his possessions, everything for France.
And now they seek to take his life. he
that is so good and generous. Oh, it is
TOO cruel, too unjust. l will see this
Barras."
They will not let you get to him,
my poor child"
II will write to him, then"
"He will not read it."
Il will place the letter in his hands
myself; you shall not prevent me. 1t
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 heart
beat rapidly and objects seemed to
swim before her eyes. In her hand she
clasped tightly letter addressed to
Barras.
II wish to see the president of the
tribunal" she demanded, in low tone,
CT the clerk who sat writing at
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"
remarked man who had just entered,
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, world" 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, I 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" he said,
abruptly.
Il do not know; do not remember"
she said, trembling. II am Nile. de Tre-
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. II
remember now. l see a rose-covered
terrace and little girl leaning over
a wall on which are dog and doll.
In the street below is boy, ragged and
dirty. All, know him well, that boy.
She plucks rose and gives it to him.
You were that little child"
ut was only rose that gave you,"
said the countess, hardly daring to
breathe, "and 1 have come to ask of
you for my fathers life. Marquis de
rremoille is to be tried as a suspect.
He who was always so good and gen.
srous and kind"
He is an aristocrat," remarked Bar
-as, with the corner of his mouth hard
,ning.
Born of the nobility" said Coun-
ess Adele, my father was one of the
irst to raise up his voice for the peo-
pie; and now that he is old, broken in
health and stripped of fortune, they
eek his life. Is that justice? Oh, sir,
you will only read what have writ
EN-. / have set it all forth SO clearly
n writing that you cannot fail being
HE spoke to save the king" replied |
3arras.
For the king and the constitution he
lad sworn to uphold. Yes. You are a |
'oung man, Citizen Barras, with long
lie before you. Will you at the end of |
hat life be willing to look back and re-
nember that you had been the instru-
nent of bringing to the scaffold an old |
Ian who was only guilty of being loyal
o his oath? plead with you, Citizen
'arras, as daughter who will be
at her fathers death. I
lead with you for your own souls
axe not to condemn my father to the
uillotine. You are tearing my letter.
'ou will not read it? All, have pity!
contains the cry of daughters
cart. 1t is still wet with her tears"
Barras looked up at the figure Of the
Dung woman. who held out her hand
} him beseechingly. His fingers ner-
ously tore in fragments the letter
e had been holding.
"Mademoiselle," he said, with an eff
,rt to speak calmly, Il have seen you;
have heard you. l have no need to
lad your supplication. believe your
a. L. 4