The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1901-04-30
THE BALEFUL EYE.
BY ANTHONY P. MORRIS.
A Story of the Paris Commune
sSEasassaslsaI


the seclusive companionship and fllial
love of Hortense.
One so pretty and piquant as she
could not be exempt from besieging
of lovers. The two most prominent Of
these were her fathers graduating
apprentices, Henri Edouin and Giu-
seppe-"dark Giuseppe" and ''the bale
full eye"-the latter was frequently ap-
pellated by his intimates, because Of
the treacherous glance in his hard,
black orbs and lurking smile forever
fixed about his lips.
To Henri Hortense had long since
given her heart.
1t was quite late one night when
Henri departed from the embrace Of
his promised bride. AS Hortense re-
treated through the narrow doorway
an unexpected form, like an apparition
from the gloom, confronted her.
''GiuseppeY' she cried.
at is l." he replied calmly.
"Oh, you frightened me! Whence
come you so SUDDENLY
"From close beside, girl. All, thou
coquette A word. have heard alp
"a listener-you? Shame!
''Tell me, is it true, indeed, need
hope no more to win your
you say you have heard allT'
eyes. l am not deaf"
"And you have seen too"
eyes. l am not blind"
"Much good may it do you, then, for
! you are answered.
And with the sharp speech she slam
med the door in his face, angry at his
having spied upon what was to her
sacred interview.
For many nights after that her
dreams were haunted by the baleful
eyes of dark Giuseppe, and In her ears
continually rang the fearful impreca-
ton she heard him mutter, coupled
with the name Of Henri Edouin.
The favored lover was greatly sur
prised few days later at receipt of
communication from the Versailles
government. 1t was delivered by an
entire stranger, who whispered these
six ominOus words:
"For your eyes only. Be discreetw
4uG O1nCL COAIdlAC0 LA4Ss
Last dispatches by balloon acknowledged. In
closed herewith an order for 500 francs, payable
when France is redeemed from her enemies.
Paris. n. EDoUN.
Henri should have destroyed the
mysterious scrawl instantly. Instead
he stood gazing at it in sheer amaze
ment He had had nothing whatever
to do with the Versaillese, though his
heart was honestly with those who
struggled SO nobly to save the country
from the doom of a bloody anarchy.
The few moments stupefaction prov
ed his greatest misfortune.
There was peremptory tap at the
door.
Giuseppe entered, grinning Internal
". Behind him dressed" three ruff
fans of the national guard.
"Ah, M Edouinw he said.
ooh, is it you, GiuseppeY replied
Henri
Giuseppe advanced with snaky quick
ness and ere Henry could anticipate
snatched away the fatal paper. Flour
fishing it aloft, he cried.
away with him! See what 1 hold
a paper that will have him shot unless
/ greatly mistaken And Giuseppe
Kissed maliciously into his rivals ear:
81 am now a trusted spy of the COM
mune. Your death is certain. You will
never wed with Hortense Guileau%
Unfortunate Henri was soon in pris-
on He fully realized his danger, and
it required but little reflection to con-
vince him of the foul trick played by
crafty Giuseppe.
The days of his confinement went
tediously by, while ever before him
doomed the horrid prospect of violent
death. Then Giuseppe confronted his
victim and accompanying him-could 1t
be reality ?-was Hortense.
II bring to you CLEAN of sunlight,
M. Edouin," said the dark browed vii
lain, with grinning sarcasm.
Henri sprang forward to embrace his
betrothed, but Giuseppe interposed.
"Hold! did not bring here here for
love scene. Give ear to me. Minutes
for Henri Edouin are valuable. Judg-
ment is to be given in your case with
In the hour. You know what it will
be-deathI / come to offer you life"
"YouY
Sand, pray, why not? hold the doc
ument that is to riddle you with bull
let's. Say the word and l will destroy
it. l will retract my charge as stu
pid blunder."
"What word shall say?'
"Henceforth you will work and fight
on the side Of the commune. Tina
win save you-if 1 choose. Giuseppe
the SPY Is quite another person than
Giuseppe the bakers apprentice. Mon
ey and influence both are mine now.
Besides, our prisons are examining Win
too many hostages. Exchanges are
slow. and we need men. So, come,
have your sworn word2'
"Neyer!'' burst from Henri's lips IN
dignantly.
Throughout Hortense had remained
massive. Now she threw herself on
her knees, with clasped hands, before
the man she so dearly loved.
ooh, yes, yesp' she cried passionate
ly. "For me-for your own precious
life! Anything for your life! PROMISED
Swearl Here on my knees beg you.
Henriy'
Her voice was broken with wild Sob
bling; her eyes were brimming with
tears. The young mans head dropped,
then raised desperately, while his eyes
flashed on the treacherous spy.
$50 be it, villain Giuseppe! give
my sacred promise as you ask"
The mysterious and convicting letter
was instantly torn into fragments.
Giuseppe had not boosted vainly. TIVE
days later Henri Edouin was liberated
and mounted in the national guard.
For long time he found no opportu-
nifty of seeing Hortense. When at last
the lovers did meet, it was to realize
the greatest sorrow of their two fond
hearts. AS the price of saving Henri's
life Hortense had solemnly agreed to
wed with Giuseppe.
Ever memorable will be the 2Sth OF
May, 1871, when the following procla-
nation appeared:
INHABITANTS OF PARIS.
| The army Of France came to save you. Paris Is
delivered. Our soldiers carried, at o'clock, the