The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1900-07-13

luton: charming story Hlleu with al
the adventure and history of those exclt-
ing times. The hero is a young colonel
in the republican army under Gen Hoche.
The heroine is daughter of the nobll-
ity of the old regime. Upon the estate OF
the heroine's father the young colonel
was born and raised. his father having
been the steward of the estates. Clrcum-
stances connected with the escape OF the
heroine from France, in which the colonel.
Robert Tourney played the Leading part
threw him into the power of Robespierre,
and by the tyraht's order he was arrested
and confined in the famous Luxembourg
prison The following extract from the
book reprinted by special permission OF
the publishers, gives vivid description
of life in that prison during the reign Oh
the Commune:
A FEW days after Journeys incar-
II ceration the turnkey came to-
ward nightfall to give them a short
time for recreation in the courtyard
This, though far from satisfying, was
hailed with pleasure by the prisoners,
and especially by Tourney, who, ac-
customed to the violent exertion OF
the camp and field, chafed for want OF
exercise.
They were escorted along the upper
corridor, whence they could look down
into the main hall on the first floor
of the Luxembourg. Here those prls-
oners who were happy enough not to
be confined under special orders had
the privilege of congregating during
the hours of the day and early even
ing Looking down upon this scene
shortly after the supper hour, Tour
nav drew a breath of surprise. de
felt for moment as if he were trans
ported back to the days before the
revolution and was looking upon re-
ception in the crowded saloons of the
chateau de Rochefort where the baron
entertained as became grand
seigneur. The republican colonel
turned look of inquiry toward St.
Hilaire. The latter gave slight shrug
as he answered:
THE ladies dress three times a day
and appear in the evening in full toll
ct. As for the men, they also wear
the best they have. You will see that
many wear suits which in better days
would have been thrown to their
lackeys. Now they are mended and
remended during the day, that they
may make their appearance at night,
and defy the shadows of the gray
stone walls and the imperfect candle
light quite bravely.' And St. Hilaire
himself pulled a spotless ruttie below
the sleeves of his well-worn coat.
"And So unused Tourney, they can
find the heart to wear a gay exterior
in such a place as this?"
mo revolution is great enough to
change the feelings and passions of
human nature" replied st. Hilaire.
"They only adapt themselves to new
conditions. Here, within these walls,
under the shadow of the guillotine,
Generosity, Envy, Love and Vanity
play the same parts they do in the
outer world. Affairs of the heart re-
fuse to be locked out by jailer's key,
and these darkened recesses nightly
resound with tender accents and the
signs of lovers. Bright eyes kindle
sparks that only death can quench.
Jealousy, also, is sometimes aroused,
and | am told that even affairs of
honor have taken place here"
Il should never have dreamed it pos
sible," said the soldier, looking with
renewed interest upon the moving pic
ture at his feet; from which a sound
of vivacious conversation arose like
the multiplied hum of many swarms
of bees.
St. Hilaire leaned idly with one arm
on the gallery rail, while he iecked
from his coat few grains of dust
with a cambria handkerchief, Sudden
ly he Strengthened himself and
grasped the railing tightly with both
hands.
Good God! can it be possible?" he
exclaimed to himself.
Tourney looked at him, surprised
by his sudden change of manner. St.
Hilaire did not notice him, but looked
intently at some one in the hall be-
low.
Tourney followed the direction of
his companions eyes and saw young
woman. with childish countenance,
standing by the elbow of a woman
who was seated in chair occupied
with some needlework.
Countess d'Arlincourt," st. Hilaire
continued, sadly, speaking to himself.
81 had hoped that 1 had saved her"
The woman glanced upward, and
her large blue eyes met st. Hilaire's
gaze. After the first start of surprise
her look expressed the deepest graft
tude, while his denoted interest and
pity.
Then he turned away. Come citi-
yen iailer." he said, addressing the at