The Dupuyer acantha. [volume] (Dupuyer, Mont.) 1894-1904, 1899-06-15
M
CHAPTER VI.-(CoNrTNUrp.l

iante as she read these few lines. Sh
Nad heard her father say that mornin,
TO the Count German:
lruiy, l like not the problem. Hov
france is to escape bankruptcy 1 Sc,
Q The king is ~improvident, tn,
treasury empty, and this assembly h,
mas convened seems inclined to TAX
all authority into their W hands
These frequent mobs have an ugly
look; once excited the canaille are like
wild beasts. Something prompt and
decisive should be done, and that Louis
XVI. is not the one to enforce"
Any warning to her father from
such a source she knew would be un-
needed. Fortunately, he himself saw
the unpleasantness of further stay at
the capital, and hurried back to Gren-
oble.
The ~premonitory riot of the goth had
left an unpleasant impression. But
even that humiliating cup was moth
ing to the bitter dregs that were yet
to pass to the kings lips. Blow fol-
lowed blow; the insurrection spread
not alone Paris and Versailles were
excited, but the excited fever heat
crept onward to the very borders of
the land.
At Grenoble the frantic zeal of the
revolutionists seemed Intensified.
"Violante," said Count Beauvais,
coming into his daughters boudoir one
morning with a perturbed brow; Ibid
Celeste arrange some sort of bridal fin
cry out of the family laces and jew
elry. We have decided that an imme-
date union must take place. Count
German proposes a private wedding
this very night, and tomorrow we will
go down to Marseilles and take passage
for England, and remain till the d&lir-
ium has blown away from FRANCE.
Horrible rumors have arrived fSom
Paris. The king is deposed, the whole
population in arms, and 10 n can
guess what horrible atrocities raay
come next. We must get away as seon
as possible. / like not the dark locks
the crowd flung at me as 1 rode
through G%renoble."
Lady Violante shivered, and said
tearfully:
II know not, my father, which fills
me with more dread, the frightful tid-
ings O bring from our country, or
the evenings sacrifice you demand
from me-
Nonsense, child, will you never
have done with that mawkish senti-
ment? The Count will make you a
good husband, and in these sorry
times, I trow, you may consider your
self fortunate to obtain a protector
stronger than a father, whose strength
is well nigh spent"
| IF there is no help, l suppose l
must submit, yet far rather would l
be laid in a peaceful grave"
The Count appeared not to under
stand her last observation, and went
himself to give his directions to Ce-
leste.
That evening a small group was
gathered in the little chapel belonging
to the chateau. The able had donned
his sacred vestments, wax candles
cleaned above the silver stands
Beside Count Beauvais stood his
friend, the father of the bridegroom,
and leaning on his arm was the Count
ess German, a pale, cold-eyed woman,
whose icy stateliness gave no evidence
of any natural motherly emotion, at
this important transaction in the life
of her only son.
Count Emile had led forward the
pallid bride eve to the altar steps.
and the able lad given the signal for
them to kneel, when suddenly the door
of the chapel was flung open, and a tall
figure strobe hurriedly up the aisle
and looked around him in astonish-
ment. SO
What mummery is this, at such a
timer" exclaimed he, unmindful of the
flashing glances of anger bent upou
him, do 0 nave bridals at the JUDI
ment day? Away, away, l have come
to warn you. An hour longer and nc
power can save you"
Count German stood glaring wildly
at the intruder. His son sprang for.
ward, even from the side of the faint
ing bride, and snatching his fathers
sword from its sheath, sprang furious,
ly toward Bernard.
Wretch! are you here again? low.
born varlet, you shall not intrude
again upon M presence!"
Hold" Numbered Bernard, drawins
a pistol in either hand, "forbear YOU
absurd distinctions at this terrible
hour. Wait until the visitors arrive
who are on their way, and you viii
cease prating of your noble birth. Per
chance you will be glad to change will
the obscure Hugo you have persccute(
with such relentless enmity. Coun-
BeauVais. l address myself to you,
Itrow there is but one here who ha,
any claim to such service as | freel,
give now, but my errand is to you all
IAN infatuated. countless mob, armed
with pixies, muskets. pistols, every.
thing they could seize at Grenoble
having murdered. with fiendish glee
man, and child of the noble
families you have called your friends
are marching now to Beauvais, havins
ALREADY pillaged and burned German
Chateau, and they are crying loudly
for your blood. There is not a momen.
to be lost. Throw some coarse screer
over these unseemly dresses, and fol
low me; l alone can save you"
Count Beauvais had grown deadly
pale, while Germain reeled against The
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