The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-03-10
CHAPTER III.
The Marquis de saint-F1cury Appear.

The Marquis de Saint-Flcury Appears.
There were nearly a hundred doomed
aristocrats in the courtyard that morning.
and all of them. whether man. woman OF
child, seemed to be ready" When a name
was called out the person to be beheaded,
after taking leave Of relatives or friends
by n handshake or a look. walke quietly
10 the cart. TIL Republic promised liberty
TO all-theirs was freedom to die. So the
aristrocats seemed to look at It; the song
bird did not.
Suddenly her pallor increased. Her very
lips turned white, as she heard the man
on the bench pronounce the words: Mar
quise de Saint-F1eury."
Terror famed her tongue, still when tho
name was repeated she made a step for
ward and opened her mouth; but at that
moment a voice from among the onlookers
shouted. "Here!"
T~hereupon. the Judges Looked up in aston
ishment. One of the bailiffs cried: Order
in court, citizens" and the prosecutor re-
peated the name, "Marquise de Saint
Fleury'' in solemn tones.
There was another Here" from the top
Of the wall. Here. I tell you" The voice
had In It a ring of truth and also of con-
tempt.
The proceedings were Interrupted and Tie
court was indignant at the wag who dared
throw stones between the spokes Of the
chariot Of justice. Arrest him." demanded
the President. Soldiers laid their heavy
hand on the strange man. who bowed them
aside and walked proudly to the bar.
Citizen" asked the presiding Judge. IN
a strong voice, what caused you to inter-
fere with the calling of the rolf"
The stranger affected establishment. THE
citizen-prosecutor pronounced my name: I
answered in accordance with ommon u.s.
age. Let me Introduce myself, / am the
Marquis de st. Fleury."
You? You must be crazy"
Pardon. citizens. / have not vet lost
my head. I will though. for I repeat. / am
the Marquis de st. F1eury.' And, regarding
the pale woman with his cold eyes, the
judge said: This is your wife,. / suppose?'
The Marquis shook his head. II beg par
don. citizens: I have lived by myself ever
since 1 lost my ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS years
ago"
Turn about. Citizen Fleury. and look at
this woman again. Don't you recognize
her?"
The Marquis did as he was hidden. Then
he bowed low before Nanon and said: 'I
regret It a thousand times. no. I have never
been at her house. and she has never been
at mine. But" lie added. IF am not
very much mistaken. it is Nanon Duchena
Of the Theater Lyrique, the lark. / have
often seen her picture in the public prints.
Don't you know her. Citizen-Judges?"
The Judges smiled contemptuous,y "a
trick TO get her off. No. we won't be caught
that way"
But the Marquis cried so that the mob
could hear him: IF you don't believe me,
ask her TO sing"
Yes, she shall sing" cried all the people.
The Judges nodded assent and Nanon. see
ing no other avenue of escape. grasped at
the straw, for her courage had returned
the moment the choice of weapons was left
to her. Victory could not fail. She closed
her eyes, forgot place and surroundings.
and sang the Marseillaise as it had never
been sung before and as it will mover be
sung again.
Nanon opened her eyes. There were ONLY
smiling faces now, only the MARQUIS de
Saint-Fleury, her husband, who. but awhile
ago, had regarded her with polite and even
admiring glances. looked gloomy. M doubt.
he despised the woman who sang for her
life. She blushed for her weakness.
The presiding Judge arose. "Citizeness
Duchene." he spoke. this court has come
to the conclusion that your arrest was an
error. As far as we can see. you nave COM
mitted no offense against the law that
warrants your further detention. You are
free, but. for your own sake, / advise Won
to drop the aristocratic nam and title
which you assumed after the manner of
other ladies belonging TO the stage"
Nanon heard the words that gave to her
life and liberty without emotion. Her eyes
sought the Marquis. Saint-Fieury was turn
ing his back on her while he said: For
ward, citizens! here is the Marquis de Saint
Fleury you were looking for. Being the last
of my name, 1 am proud to follow IN the
footsteps Of my King" He continued: Your
guiilotine makes me laugh. What does it
amount to? A tap on the neck. One scarce
ly feels it."
Meanwhile one OF the bailiffs placed his
arm around Nanon's waist. Let me con-
duct you outside. This Is no place for you,
love-" She pushed him away and, walking
over to the Marquis. cried: 'Axel, I release
you from your promise. I am your wife:
you are my husband! My place is at your
side"
sa%int-F1eury regarded her with an aston
ished look. "Ciizeness Duchene. I don't un-