Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-11-15

81
With the blade of hts penkntfc he care
fully aotthdre,D the little scroll.
hind, in which lay small leather Gov
cred volume. Darrent took the book out
and pushed back the panel; then, seat
ing himself in one of the corners by the
fireplace, proceeded to read:
-s< JOSIAH MARsDEN' DIARY.
PANS, Oct 8, 1871.-Back in my
hotel at last. and now can pause and
think Of what have gone through in
thu accursed city. Paris the city Of
light BAIL Paris, the city Of deathl
Was 1t fancy or did each passerby
shun me as walked through the de-
serted streets this morning? Did they
see murder in my eye, the coming brand
Of Cain upon my forehead2 Let me
write clearly what has befallen me- SO
that II it should ever chance that this
isread 1t may speak in my defense. 1t
may show at least that am not an as
Z sassfn by choice. but by circumstance.
Who can say what guides us to our
fatef II there had been seat at the
opera tonight. should not be what
am now But the opera is great suc-
cess. there was not seat to be had,
and SO strolled about until lost my
self in the labyrinth of squalid streets
/ and alleys on the south side of the river
7 Suddenly a scream broke out upon the
night, the cry of a woman, proceeding
from house in darkness, save for an
J, upper story, where beam of light cut
pathway through the blackness. It
would have been well if had passed
on unheeding, but without thinking
rushed to the entrance. 1t was open,
and l sped up the shaky staircase and
pushed open door upon the third floor.
Not light, not a sound. paused, ir-
resolute, and then felt the cold barrel
Of pistol against my temple. A dozen
hands held me powerless while my arms
were tied to my sides.
who is it?" gasped.
''Shoot, you fool, shootl" man re-
piled, and I gave myself up for lost.
"It is pig Of an Englishman, one
growled, and then there arose a SUBJ
dued mutter of voices in German which
could not follow.
'sWhy did you come heref" some one
asked in French.
81 thought heard scream"
''You're spyl"
why don't you shoot instead Of
talking9"
whats the good of thatP What are
we to do with the bodyH"
Once more the consultation was held.
Now and again I caught a word in
French, but most Of the language was
In German. with occasionally sentence
In an unknown tongue. Perhaps it was
Russian.
And all this time was securely
bound, with not glimmer Of light to
show me who my assailants were. The
consultation became more excited, and
then at last it subsidized into grunts. and
some one addressed me again.
You have put yourself in this posi-
tion." he said, speaking in French,
with foreign twang, "by interfering
In other peoples business You will be
allowed to depart heart beat
wildly-"when you have become one
Of u.s.
VINO are your"
''That will not concern you If you
were born under lucky star II not,
you will have cause to know. We are
about to draw lots with an object"
The pistol barrel touched my temple
aeqfn.
''Will you share in the drawing or
say goodby to life9"
"What do we draw for9" gasped
In terror.
ITO decide who shall kill the daugh-
ter Of traitor. We never kill the Gull
prit himelf. Our revenge is more ingen-
1ous. We leave him to the last. Do
you consent to become one of us in this
lotterys"
''No," faltered, and then ere the
word had left my lips, SO strong is the
love of life. relented and gasped.
eyes"
"Then drawi"
A box was placed underneath my
hand, and again voice cried, Draw 70
] thrust In my hand and drew out q
small marble.
"You have had fair chance,'' the
same voice said "You are the first.
There are 80 white balls and red. :"
And still we were In darkness as the
box went round.
A lamp was lighted, lamp only
throwing a small circle Of light upon o
black table, and each man approached,
held his hand In that circle and open
ed it.
White, white, white, whitel l knew
mine was the red. felt it burning my
flesh as I gripped it within my hand,
and as I opened it beneath the light 1t
rolled forth-redl
.When you have earned your admit
lance, you will be one Of us" the
spokesman said, and then I was con-
Quoted down the pitch dark stairs and
thrust ont into the street.
I gased sroYnd to locate myself and
= Ass ~ NY ieek sapsa y