The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-12-06
THE MINNEAPOLIS JOURNAL.


as he was a pleasant fellow, agreeable and
debonair. his captors were rather glad that
he had the privilege Of a few hours Of lib
erty, especially as it was known that the
inspiration OF his escape was the most
beautiful woman in New France:
De Wire had met with no opportunity
of escaping from the English lines until
the pattle was Joined. He had been
compelled by the exigencies Of the situa-
ftion to point his gun at his own country
men, and though he took care it was not
loaded with ball, the mere motion gave
his exquisite anguish I'm the smoke and
confusion of the battleaeld, however, he
at last found occasion to n1ingle with the
retreating French.
In the panic terror; of their retreat no
one in the crowding, pushing mob paid
Eany attention to him, and he gained the
city with the rest of the fugitives through
| the st. Louis gate. Forcing his way
through the multitude he ran rapidly down
the street toward the place where dwelt
| the object of his alteration. He found her
| in the, doorway Of her house. bending over
! the PROSTATE form of, small man in the
blue and white uniform of the British
navy;
| "Mademoiselle de Rohan!" he cried in
| great surprise, stopping short at. the sight.
[ What Is the meaning of this?"-
The young woman looked UP as he called
her name, rose to her feet as she recog-
! n1zed him, and with an expression OF the
! most whitening scorn and contempt DELHI
erately turned her back upon him. For
the, moment the stranger was forgotten.
de Wire gasped and turned pale with
establishment. =
/ 'Mademoiselle de-, Rohan!" he cried
again, do You know me?'ss ... s.
+ . II know no one" she, answered, half
| 4,.~,, u.
deepening upon her beautiful features,
who, born. in France wears that uniform
which even you disgrace!''
| Disgrace, mademoiselley'' he cried
Strengthening himself up, his face flushing.
| "Whats mean you? Oh, this-why-I-ess'
by .God! exclaimed coarse, rough
voice at his side, 'its de Vitre!'
The young Frenchman faced about and
saw himself confronted by a grenadier OF
the regiment La Sarre, who had stopped
and was. looking menacingly at him. He
was followed by two or three regular SOL
diers from the various regiments and a
sailor from Vauquelins squadron.
DE Vitre, the traitor' cried another.
i "He who piloted the English ships ur
the river" exclaimed the sailor.
L '"The man who betrayed New France!
shouted. a third. $-.-
| The fleeing soldiery stopped and with
several citizens gathered about the little
group in the doorway.
wei, we are beaten now" remarked
the soldier who had spoken, who held the
rank of q sergeant, "but guess we car
hold the town long. enough to hang you
monsieur. 1 saw you in the English ranks
when they charged upon us-curse them
And you brought up the ships
IT'S lie a dastardly lie!' cried dc
Wire desperately. q
What are you doing, with that English
| o'c1>oI
murs of indignation from the crowd, fol-
the street was now blocked with people.
De Wire, seeing the. hopelessness Of hi:
| situation, backed up against the wall an1
instinctively felt. for his sword. Unfor.
| tunately for him he-was wearing a private
soldiers uniform, and he had thrown
away his gun in that mad rush for the
st: Louis gate. He was alone, unarmee
and helpless before the mob.
It's fearful nistake!' he shouted
MY friends, am innocent! I can ex
plain! Hear me!', :: - e
His voice was drowned in yells and exc
cratlons. The, soldiers and people ha6
oeen so married and wrought upon by the
defeat Of the morning that a sinister de-
sire for revenge on some one was added
to the fiolle yet s1nalevelent passions 81
easily awakened in the Gallo mob. The,
wanted scapegoat, and here was one t,
hand. 81
| Mademolselle, cried the unhapp,
Frenchman, drawing himself up and turn
ing to the girl, who stood spellbound be
fore the appalling display of the fury ant
passion Of the people, '.Yswear to you upol
my honor that am innocent! vive /;
nouvelle France! Say that you believe mi
before am taken! On my soul I believ,
this rabble intends to kill me!''
Anne de Rohan hesitated. Honest,
rang IN the young mans voice, homo
ant of hi
yet things were suspicious. u
well, Will you comesswith us peaceably
Or interrupted the sergeant, with :,
grim and menacing gesture -. =,
!. "tQne moment, n1ye8friend,'' cried tn,
young man lightly haying recovered hi
cooiness and having discovered the foil,
of expostulation. I'D S%.l
He looked appealingly at the younf
woman. Is rs
f.. II believe YOU said Anne de Roha n
suddenly extending her hand to- him
"Messieurs," she cried, turning to tn,
crowd Monsieur de Vitre gives me hi
word of.honour that ~;
':Oh, bah!'' exclaimed the sergeant
the honour Of a, traitor to the woman
, he lowest" ~ E:::s5..
LET us kill him where he stands..'
shouted one. >. -"
ITO the lantern with him. roared all
: other 1T :
l. wv AAy DIdVc IIIcHuS,@ SAID the ser
tgeant coolly, "order, If YOU please H
goes to the. governor. Come, monsieur
Fall back. gentlemen, 3and give way. :
; moi. mes camarades." ~.
| "Mademoiselle,' said de vitre hurriedly
as the soldiers surrounded him and pre-
pared to force a way through the crowd
, II can now face anything with a ligh1
heart. You believe in me. Take care O.
that gentleman yonder, he is a friend o.
i mine.'' .--= ..-.-.s r.. .-..
AS he spoke, the soldiers seized him b,
the arm and hustled him down the stree
toward the Chateau st. Louis, the resi-
dence of the governor, where de Ramesay
= sat in hurried consultation with his Off.
GERS over the defence of, the stricken town
The crowd, after few curious glances
followed the soldiers and left the pros.
trate Englishman alone on the doorstep.
The young woman turned again to the
man on the step. He was wounded, per.
haps dying. The bullet which struck hin
In the back had passed completely through
his shoulder, and his shirt was stained
with blood. There was deep cut through
the sleeve of his coat also, and his arm
, lay. in little pool Of the same deadl,
; fluid. His face was covered with bloot
from slight wound on his forehead, ant
, earth stained as we'll from the muddy un
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