The Ravalli Republican., 1898-09-21


When she entered the council
chamber, the president welcomed
her as Signor Rapelli, and she, hay
ing merely bowed, went and took a
seat with the other members.
She shuddered inwardly when she
looked around tho room 1T the som
Der drapery on the walls and the
black hoods Of the members, which
allowed nothing but the eyes to be
seen, and then the awful thought |
crossed her mild-that if some one
recognized her as a stranger what
would become Of herr Worst OF ALL
they would think she was there with
the approval of Paul, and she knew
that if they thought him guilty OF
treachery he would not leave the
place alive.
However, the voice of the presi-
lent cut short her thoughts as he
arose to formally explain the object
Of their meeting, which was to de-
eide who should rid France of its
president He then explained the
mode in which the drawing of lots
was to take place. He produced q
large pewter jug with a neck just
wide enough to allow a hand topass
in, and this jug was filled with cards,
on each one Of which there was a
number from to 100. Each member
was to walk up to the president, be-
fore whom the jug was placed, and
draw OFT q, number, and when he
drew it out he was obliged to an
nounce his name and the number he
| drew, and then retire to his seat.
Whoever drew the lowest number
WAS bound to carry out the com
mands Of the council.
Then each one walked up in turn,
Lucille among henumber, and drew
ticket. The numbers drawn by the
first seven members wero So, 80, S,
II, IS, 70 and H. Then it came to
Paul S turn, who drew a ticket bear
ing the number and retired to his
seat, and the drawing went on No
one drew number lower than z,
and when all had finished the prcsi-
dent rose and addressing Lie Mar
chant announced that in accordance
with the rules Of the society it had
fallen to his lot to cut short the life
Of NJ Felix Mentaure, president Of
France, within ten days, but for
preference on the day when the
president was to open the Exhibition
of Arts and Industries in Paris. This
, was the day on which Casscllo, the
, anarchist who murdered Senor Mo
rova, was to pay the penalty Of his
crime. Then, having eNhorted hin
to do his duty, he presented hin
with dagger, this being the only
,. warrant for execution issued by ths
society when it passed sentence O:
, death. Afterward the council broke
up for the night, and the members
dispersed to their several homes
Lucille cunning nearly all the way
. so as to reach homo before Paul.
= She knew him too well to attelnp
: to tlissuade him from carrying on
I the sentence with which he was III
I trusted, and she also knew that eve]
il she did succeed in 1issUading hin
u it would most certainly endange
q his life. But she was revolving
6 little scheme in her own mind, Whic
T she thought, while it would save tn
4 life Of the president, would al.
l. shield Paul from the anger OF til
brotherhood if ne failed to eNecut
:, Mentaure.
q Now, before Mentaure had beconl
% president Lucille had been lady
J. maid to Mmo. Mentaure, and onl
,e resigned that position when sl
q married Paul, on which occasic
g. madame gave her a beautiful al
w costly present, with a request TIL
a. il she ever wanted any favor 81
le would not be slow to ask it,
a. Lucille therefore wrote Mime. Me
10 tat1ro requesting TO be allowed
le see her, as she had something mo
70 important and pressing to infor
her Of and which would not biz
f. delay. Lucille sent this letter i
u second day after the meeting
O. which she had been present, and I
ne oeivcd a prompt reply, appointil
m an hour at which it would be CO
a. ye1lient to madame to see her.
,e, Mime. Mentuure received her We
., kindly, and having made seven
nd inquiries as to herself and fam
i]o requested her to state the object
" her visit.
ak Lucille then told her plainly
NO her husbands principles, and rel
,as ed how she had gained access to t
3 council chamber of the anurchis
who had decreeG the death of
bt president, and how it had fallen
II her husband Paul's lot to'carry {
he the sentence.
no Nine. Mentaure listened quietly
he all Lucille had to say, and exec
on for the palenes: Of her face and
twitching Of her lips did not bet1
he any signs OF emotion. She inquf
,dv of Lucille whether she thought ?
,,1r would carry out the decree, and
an. ciIle answered that she was at