The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1898-03-04

II know IT," admitted the couhtess sad.
lyi "tell me more about tic Big city,
Here the conversation was interrupt
ed by the dragon, who sWOOped suddenly
down and lifted the countess from off
the wall.
'To whom are you talking, Mile. de
Ircmoille? To that little mgamufiin !
20 away from here Mt once, little brat.
You, mademoiselle, should have better
canail)e who pass in the street"
The countess suffered herself to be led
away without word, and the last she
saw Of the boy he was walking on his
hands with the rose in his teeth.
The young countess, Adele de IRE
noble, was in the salon with Nine. Guar
din. formerly her dragon and governess,
ana now, although still inclined to be a
little Of dragon, her friend and colnpan-
ion: TheSe were tears in the eyes of
Mile. Tremoille as she turned inplor-
ingly to the elder woman, but the tone
was firm and decided in which she said
II refuse to 60 alone"
from out Of her clear gray eyes. She
was dressed in black, and her manner
was stiff -repressed, yet there was a
tremulo of emotion in her voice. as she
answered.: "You must, my child; would
not say it if by remaining here you could
DO any gpod, but as it is, your own safe
~ demands that you should co.
countess, YOU cannot mean that you
would have me go while my father is in
danger?"
Alas, yes, do mean it. They have
already arrested women as innocent as
Yourself: 1t was only yesterday that they
took Mile. de Longueville, and the day
before Nine. de Grancour. Every day
that You remain here increases the risk.
At any moment you may be called upon
to share your fathers danger"
"They shall find me ready" replied the
Countess Adele, drawing herself up, Il
shall be proud to be with him.
An, my child, you do not know how
terrible it would be. 1t is also for your
fathers sake that I counsel you to fly.
1t would only add to his trouble to hear
that YOU, too, had been taken. 1t would
make him most unhappy. You would not
each e6er While Nfu you nH ea evea th ee co
be acquitted, or If he should escape.S
Mime. Guardin," said the countess,
interrupting her by placing her hand on
her arm, and looking into her face with
deep earnestness, 'is there really any
hope of his being acquittedy'
There is always hope, my child
That is what you have always said.
but l want more satisfactory answer
Tell me just what you think
Mime. Guardin averted her eyes from
My child, do not ask me more"
II see, you have lost hope" said the
young countess, calmly.
IF the president of the tribunal which
is to try the marquis were my other than
Jean Barns, l should have more hope
said Nine. Guardin.
rs he more bloodthirsty than the 9TH
ers?' asked the countess with look of
horror.
He is immovable, passionless. He con.
dennis without pity or human feeling"
But the other members of the tri-
bunal?"
They will be swayed by Barras"
Il will see this man." cried Adele.
my child, it would be useless, and you
will incur the grayest danger
III care not. 1 will see him: 1 will
my father was the first Of the mobiles to
urge the surrender of their privileges: how
he has given up his rights, his posses.
sions, 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. y
They will not let you get to him, my
poor child"
II will write to him, them
He will not read it"
II will place the letter In his hands my
self; you, shall not prevent me. It must
be done"
And Adele, poured out in her letter a
passionate APPEAL, to the dreaded BArras
in her fathet's behalf.
Adele de Tremoille entered the court
room boldly; although her heart beat rap-
idly and objects SeeiAed, tb sWiin Def6re
her eyes: In. het haNd size clasped tight
ly q lettef addressed to Barras.
Il wish to see the president of the tri-
bunai,' she demanded, in low tone, of
the clerk who sat 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" re-
marked 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 iilen stood talk
ing. AS she set foot upon the stairs they
proceeding along the hallway to pass out
into the street
"Monsieur :Barras, word!' cried
Adele, in terrible anxiety lest he should
not hear her.
Il am Citizen Barras," said the man,
turning and looking up at her.
Citizen BARNS, here Is baper for
you. Read 1t; | nfas YOU" She leaned
over the fail and held it out for him to
take.
Mechanically he reached up his hand
and took it.
II have seen you BEFORE he said alb
ruptly:
~ don't know; do not remember -
she said, trembling. II am Mademoiselie
de Tremoille. All, Monsieur-I meaI,
Citizen-if you will only read that let
ter
Barras continued to look at her fixed|y.
That gesture, as you reached me this
paper, was strangely familiar" he said,
us my memory playing tricks with me
All, l have it" he cried out. II remem-
and a little girl leaning over a wall on
which are dog and. a doll. In the street
below is boy, ragged and dirty. All. I
know him we'll. that boy. She plucks a
rose and gives it to him. You were that
little child"
1T was only rose that rave Won 81
said the countess, hardly DARING IL
breathe, and have come to ask 1f vdi,
for my fathers life. The Marn,iis de
Tremoille is to be tried as d SUSPECT. He
who was always SO good and generous
and kind"
He is an aristocrat," remarked Barras.
with the corners of his mouth hardening
Born of the: nobility" said Countess
Adele, my father was one of the tirst to
raise up his voice for the people, and now
that he is old, broken in health and
stripped of his fortune they seek his life.
Is that justice? Oh, sir, if you will only
read what have written. I have set f
forth 40 clearly in writing that you can
not 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 a
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 to bring to the scaffold an old
man who was only guilty of being loyal
to his oath? plead with you, Citizen
Barras, as daughter who will be brok-
en-hearted at her fathers death. 1 plead
with you for your own souls sake not to
condemn my father to the guillotine. You