Sunday Washington globe., 1902-01-12

look, as though she feared he might seek
to save her at the expense of honor. He
spoke. and she perceived that her appre-
hensions were unfounded. Without excus-
ing her crime, or attributing 1t to insanity,
he pleaded for the fervor of her conviction;
which he had the courage to call sublime.
The appeal proved unavailing. Charlotte
Corday was condemn cd Without deigning
to answer the president, who asked her if
she had aught TO object to the penalty of
death being carried out against her, she rose,
and walking up to her defender, thanked
him gracefully. These gentlemen, " said
she, pointing to the judges, have just in
formed me that the whole of my property
is con6scated / owe something in the
prison; as a proof of my friendship and
esteem, l request you to pay this little
debt" On returning to the conciergerie,
she found, an artist, named Hauer waiting
for her, to finish her portrait, which he had
begun at the tribunal. They conversed
freely together, until the executioner, carry
ing the red chemise destined for assassins,
and the scissors with which he was to cut
her hair off, made his appearance. What
so soonW exclaimed Charlotte Corday
slightly turning pale; but rallying her
courage she resumed her composure and
presented lock of her hair to M. Hauer
as the only reward in her power to offer.
A priest came to offer her his ministry,
She thanked him and the persons by whom
he had been sent, but declined his spiritual
aid. The executiouer cut her hair, bound
her hands, and threw the red chemise over
her NJ. Hauer was struck with the almost
unearthly loveliness which the crimson hue
of this garment impaired to the ill-fated
maiden. This toilet of death, though per-
formed by rude hands, leads to immor-
tality, " said Charlotte with a smile.
A heavy storm broke forth as the car of
the condemned left the conciergerie for the
Place de la Revolution. An immense crowd
lined the streets through which Charlotte
Corday passed. Hootings and execrations
at 6rst rose on her path but as her pure and
serene beauty dawned on the multitude, as
the exquisite loveliness of her countenance
and the sculptural beauty of her figure be-
came more fully revealed, pity and admira-
tiou superseded every other feeling. Her
bearing was so admirably calm and digni-
fed as to arouse sympathy in the
breasts of those who detested not
only her crime, but the cause for
WHICH II udQ DGgM NNtAhAAAANNs A-ANJ
men of every party took off their hats and
bowed as the cart passed before them.
Among those who waited its approach was
a young German named Adam Luz, who
stood at the entrance of the Rue Saint
Houore, and followed Charlotte to the scat
fold. He gazed on the lovely and heroic
maiden with all the enthusiasm Of his imag
inative race. Above unexampled perhaps
in the history of the human heart, took pos
session of his soul.
Unconscious of the passionate love she
had awakened, Charlotte now stood neal
the guillotine. She turned pale on first be
holding it, bat soon resumed her serenity
A deep blush suffused her face when the
executioner removed the handkerchief thai
covered her neck and shoulders, but she
calmly laid her head upon the block. The
executioner touched a spring and the axe
came down One of Samson's assistants
Immediately stepped forward, and holding
up the lifeless head to the gaze o
the crowd, struck it on either cheek
The brutal act only excited a feeling o
horror; and it is said that-as though ever
/ in death her indignant spirit protested
! against this outrage-an angry and crimson
/ flush passed over the features of Chariott
! Corday.