The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1901-04-12

1
full eye"-the latter was frequently ap-
| pellated by his intimates, because of
the treacherous glance in his hard,
| black orbs and a lurking smile forever
| fixed about his lips.
To Henri Hortense had long since
given her heart
1t was quite late one night when
| his promised bride. AS Hortense re-
treated through the narrow doorway
an unexpected form, like an apparition
| from the gloom, confronted her.
"Giuseppe!' she cried.
at Is l." he replied calmly.
ooh, you frightened me! Whence
| come you so suddenlyT
"From close beside, girl. All, thou
coquette! A word. l have heard alp
"a listener-you?e Shame!'
"Tell me, is 1t true, indeed, 1 need
hope no more to win your
'You say you have heard allT'
Eyes. / am not deaf"
"And you have seen tooY
Eyes. 1 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 a
| 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 a
communication from the Versailles
government. 1t was delivered by an
entire stranger, who whispered these
six ominous words:
For your eyes only. Be discreetw
The sealed billet contained this:
Last dispatches by balloon acknowledged In
closed herewith an order for 500 francs, payable
when France is redeemed from her enemies
Paris. NJ EDouIN
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 bloody anarchy.
The few moments stupefaction prov
ed his greatest misfortune.
There was a peremptory tap at the
door.
Giuseppe entered, grinning Internal
ly. Behind him dressed" three ruff
fans of the national guard.
"Ah, Nj. Edouin!,, he said.
ooh, is it you, Giuseppe?' replied
Henri
Giuseppe advanced with snaky quick
ness and ere Henry could anticipate
snatched away the fatal paper. Flour
ishing it aloft, he cried
away with him! See what l hold
a paper that will have him shot unless
l greatly mistaken And Giuseppe
Kissed maliciously into his rivals ear:
81 am now trusted spy of the COM
mune. Your death is certain. You will
never wed with Hortense Guileaul"
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 it
be reality?-was Hortense.
Il 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
a 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-death! [ come to offer you life"
"YouT
"And, pray, why not? hold the doc
ument that is to riddle you with bull
lets. Say the word and l will destroy
it. l will retract my charge as a stu
PHI blunder."
What word shall / say?'
''Henceforth you will work and fight
on the side of the commune. That
will save you-if 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 with
too many hostages. Exchanges are
slow, and we need men. So, come,
have your sworn word"
'Neverw burst from Henri's lips in
dignantly.
Throughout Hortense had remained
passive. Now she threw herself on
her knees, with claspcd hands, before
the man she so dearly loved.
"Oh, yes, yesH she cried pms ionate-