Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-04-21
Continued.

day that there would probably be 6
grand fracas. He had talked me into
half believing in his ideal Commune
1t sounds well enough in theory ant
somehow at night it was exiting
and J, like 4 fool, really believed il
was for the best. But when it was
broad daylight, and one could see
the mob looking more like demons
than men, Their | began to doubt
God be thanked, I had no hand in it
for it was a butchery, Esperance
nothing less-General Lecomte and
Clement Thomas both murdered.
Figure to yourself an old man, single"
handed, against a multitude-dragged
down-slaughtered! All! it was
rightful-frightfuli"
He paused shuddering with horror.
as he saw once more in imagination,
the terrible scene. 1t was not that ne
had for the first time gazed upon a
horrible spectacle. For months he
had been exposed to all the terrors of
the SIEGE war and bloodshed were
perfectly familiar to him, but this
day every noble feeling within him
mad been outraged. His whole soul
revolted from the barbarity of the
assault, and the thought that only a
Few hours before he had wellnigh
sided with the murderers. added to
his horror
Esperance did not allow him to
think over it all much longer She
knelt down beside him, and strove,
vert his mind. He looked up, trying
to smile, but something in her face
upset him completely. He turned
away with a quick sob.
"Faithless wretch that I have been,
forgetting my promise, forgetting
you, thinking only of that abominable
commune. Esperance, we will leave
Paris now; | will not let you stay
here single day longer. You are
III, know, though you have said
nothing, and my hateful neglect has
been making you suffer AJAX Mad
anne Lemercier to help you in your
preparations, and I will go out now
at once, and see what can be ar
ranged. 1t shall be tomorrow, at
iatest''
He hurried away, leaving Esperance
IN fiutter of excitement, thankful
indeed at the prospect of leaving
Paris, and yet with little mixture
OF regret, and a vague, underlined
rear, that, after all, England might
wot prove all she expected.
Nine Lemercier was much dis
tressed at Gaspards SUDDEN plan; she
mad grown very fond of Esperance,
and TO lose her now, at time when
she was likely to see scarcely any
aning Of her husband, was doubly
crying. She proved her love, how
ever. by the greatest kindness, and
spent half the night in helping Esper-
ance to pack their worldly goods.
They were to start early the next
morning. Gaspard had obtained
passports, and had done the best he
could to settle his various accounts,
but everything was in such confusion,
owing to the war and the siege, that
his arrangements were anything but
satisfactory. and he was obliged to
leave much to NJ. Lemercier's care.
Re went home with the unpleasant
conviction that everything was in IA
very bad way, and that the war had
put the finishing touch to the fallen
fortunes of the De Mabillons.
They were just about to start the
next morning, when NJ Lemercier re-
turned wearied with his labors, but
full of triumph; he was astonished to
find fiacre standing at the door, and
trunks being carried downstairs.
but still more so, when, on reaching
the salon, he saw that Esperance and
Gaspard We're in travelling attire.
DE Mabillon, | have been won
dering where on earth you could be!
What means this? You are not going
away on this most propitious of
days."
Gaspard answered gravely:
II can not agree with you in think
ing it propitious; our country has
disgraced herself by that foul murder
yesterday. Never, never, will your
Commune prosper, which began with
such meanness. such barbarity!"
NJ. Lemercier looked panied and
surprised, but not ashamed.
Mon ami! ] grant that we had a
painful scene Yesterday-but it was
necessary am convinced it was
necessary. Struggle and bloodshet
there must be, but at last we shall
establish true liberty-true equality
and Paris will be free
Esperance was astonished to Sc.
how thoroughly in earnest was tn,
speaker. His face lighted up with al
expectant hope, there was somethin:
noble in his aspect-and yet surel.
he was greatly mistaken. She won
dered whether Gaspards resolution
would be shaken. and looked u
anxiously, but there was no sign o
change in his grave, determined face
He dropped the subject of the Com
mune without further remark, an
began TO thank the Lemerciers fo
all their kindness: and then. ami
tears, embraces good wishes, and re
grets, the brother and sister too
leave Of their home
CHAPTER TX.
81 lie malheur te suit dams Ia carrier