The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-03-10

ilcges; how he has given up his righti,
his possessions, everything for France.
And now they seek to take his life. lie
that is so good and generous. Oh, it !
TOO cruel, too unjust. l will see thit
Barras."
They will not let you get to hin,
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
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
ciasped tightly a letter addressed to
Barras.
Il wish to see the president of the
tribunal" she demanded, in low tone
CT the clerk who sat writing at al
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,Y
remarked a man who had just entered,
and who overheard the question.
Without waiting to thank her informs
ant, Adele FASTENED from the room ar
down the stairway. In the passagc 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.
M. Barras, a 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 a paper for
you. Read it, l 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; l do not remember
she said, trembling, Il 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
ne? All. | have it," he cried out. II
remember now. l see rose-covered
terrace and little girl leaning over
wall on which are dog and a doll.
I the street below is boy, ragged and
dirty. All, l know him well, that boy.
She plucks rose and gives it to him.
You were that little child"
at was only a rose that l gave you, "
said the countess, hardly daring 10
breathe, "and l have come to ask of
you for my fathers life. Marquis de
Tremoille is to be tried as a suspect.
He who was always SO good and gen.
erous and kind
He is an aristocrat," remarked Bar
ras, with the corner of his mouth haftt-
ering.
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
ten. | have set it all forth so clearly
il 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 d
young man, Citizen Barras, with long
life before you. Will 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 Loyal
to his oath? l plead with you, Citizen
, Bdrras, as daughter who will be
broken-hearted at her fathers death.
Plead with you for your own souls
sake not to condemn my father to the
gullotine. You are tearing my letter!
, \ on VIII not redu IL ! AN, nave pltN
! 1t contains the cry of a daughter
heart. II is still wet with her tears"
Barras looked up al the figure OF tn.
young woman. who held out her hanc
to him beseechingly. His fingers ner
vously tore in fragments the letter
he had been holding.
"Mademoiseile," he said, with an et
fort to speak calmly, Il have seen YOU
! | have heard you. | have no need tc
/ read your suppiication. l believe your
father to be guiitless of all crime
, against the republic. The tribunal
here he hesitated. The tribunal viii
! doubtless acquit him. | can say nc
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 flew homeward.
AS her Old governess folded her to hel
breast the countess shed tears of joy
HE will be acquitted" dear Nine
GEardin. have seen the dreaded BAR