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

beings in adversely.
| do YOU see that man sulking in the
shadow by the WALTZ" asked Tourney,
pointing De Lacheville out to the Jail
er. when did he come here?"
"a few days ago. Either same even
ing you were brought in, or the day fol-
lowing" was the reply.
"The same EVENING"" exclaimed Tour
nav to himself, as he followed st.
Hilaire to their CELL "Robespierre has
indeed been consistent in that poor
| DEVILS case"
The Countess d'Arlincourt drew up
little stool and placed herself at the
feet of her friend, Nine. de Remur. The
latter was still woman in the full
flush of beauty. She was dressed in
black velvet which seemed but little
worn, and which set off a complexion so
brilliant that it needed no rouge even
to counteract the pallor of a prison.
The countess leaned her head against
the knees of her friend, allowing the
velvet of the dress to touch her own
soft cheek caressingly.
do not grieve, my child" said Nine.
de Remur, laying down her embroidery
and placing one hand upon the blonde
head in her lap. "Grieve not too much
| for your husband; there is not one per-
son in this room who has not to mourn
the loss of some near friend or relative,
and vet, for the sake of those who are
living, they continue to wear cheerful
faces. l only regret that you, who
were at that time safe, should have sur
rendered yourself after the count was
taken. 1t has availed nothing, and has
sacrificed two lives instead of one"
Hush, Diane; wife should not
measure her duty by the result. He
was a prisoner. He was ill. 1t was
my duty to come to his side"
"Your pardon, dear child. You, with
your baby face and gentle manner,
have more real courage than 1. l
hardly think 1 could do that for any
man in the world"
you always underrate yourself,
dear Diane, you who are the noblest
and most generous of women!" ex-
claimed the countess, rising.
II cannot understand the courage
and devotion of that child" said Nine.
de Remur, addressing the old Chevalier
de Creux, who stood behind her chair.
Il might possibly be willing to share
any fate, even the guillotine, with a
man if l loved him madly; but"-and
Nine. de Remur finished the sentence
with a shrug of her shoulders.
perhaps the countess loved her hus-
band" suggested the young Mile. de
Belloeil, who sat near the table, bend
ing over some crochet work, but at
the same time lending an ear to the
conversation.
"How could she?" said Diane. HE
was so cold, so austere and so dread
fully uninteresting, and then l hap
pen to know she did not, because"
Because she loved another gentle
man." said the chevalier, completing
the sentence with laugh. Under the
circumstances, do not know whether
l admire the countess loyalty in fol-
lowing her husband to prison, or con-
denim her cruelty in leaving lover
to pine outside it's walls"
"She was always faithful wife,
would have you understand, you wick
ed old Chevalier de Creux!" exclaimed
Nine. de Remur, looking up at him as
he leaned over the back of her chair.
perhaps the lover may be confined
in the prison Also" suggested the
philosopher, who had also been 81
lent listener to the dialogue.
"More than likely assented the
chevalier, dryly.
whether he we're here or not" said
madame, decidedly, "she would have
done the same"
Here is Count de Blois," said the
chevalier; "let us put the case before
him"
"Oh, you men!" laughed Nine. de
Remur. 81 will not accept the verdict
of the best of you. But the count is
accompanied by the poet; let us get
him to recite some verses" And she
tossed her fancy work upon the table
at her side.
NJ. de Blois, with his arm through
the poets. bowed low before them.
The count had been in the prison for
over year, and the poor gentleman's
wardrobe had begun to show the eff
feet of long service.
"They have evidently forgotten my
existence entirely" he had said, pa
thetically, one morning to a friend
who found him washing his only fine
shirt in the prison yard fountain.
when this shirt is worn out l shall
| make a demand to be sent to the
guillotine from very modesty."
A few days later he had received