The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-08-28

down the candle and snuffed the wick
with his fingers. His task was prov
ing more difficult than he had imagined
it. Her self-command baffied him.
I came" he said at length, mot as
the bearer Of i'll news"
"Ah. it is III news, then; see-I see
you would not be here If it were not
They condemn my husband. and you
are the first TO tell me of it. Thank
you. l am very much obliged"
Her voice had grown a little hysteri-
cal and the irony of grief showed her
TO less advantage. Xavier welcomed
his opportunity; he believed that he
could profit by il.
He Embossed his cloak and let it fall
back from his shoulder. A flare of the
embers upon the hearth cast out a
rudy fame and set his face in a frame
Of the broyn-g gold light. The whole
figure was sinister and yet not unim-
pressive. IT might have been that Of
a great man surprised in the hour of a
crime.
Your husband. madame" he said.
in a tone so low that she could scarce
ly hear him, your husband has been
found guilty by his judges and will be
shot at dawn"
She tried To speak, but her voice
failed. Though her face was turned
from him he could hear her sobbing
like 4 child in the silence of the night.
That is the judgment Of the court, -
he repeated unctuousIy; lit may or
may not be final, madame"
Il understand you-God help pe!"
she said.
He was not disDleased that she
should meet him frankly. Like
shrewd merchant he knew that this
was the hour Of sale and barter He
had much to- offer; she had something
to give.
She drew the chair to the Preside
at his bidding. her chin resting upon
her hands, her arms upon her knees.
The ebb and flow of the Pickering
blaze Touched her pale face with the
tides Of night. Her eyes were fearless,
her nerves quivering. He understood
what silence cost her.
Il shall not trouble you with any
particulars" he resumed, falling to
the monotonous step again like one
upon a quest Of words; the court has
heard the evidence and has found our
-
told YOU this morning when 1 sent
for you to the citadel that you could
save the Prince: you chose to ignore
my warning. It would be a craven
act to remember that you did so: 1
forget it.. madame. I am content that
we begin anew task which the night
must finish"
He paused, believing that her curl
osity would interrupt him. but she had
nothing TO say and he resumed:
Yes. a task which the night must
finish or the day will find forever I'M
done. 1 fear it is that, madame-to say
yes or no before the sunrise or to
hold our tongues forever"
She quailed at the threat, but she did
not lift her eyes or protest that it was
otherwise Her hesitation satisfied him.
He continued in more decided tone:
When I sent you to the citadel this
morning it was in my head that you
would achieve nothing. The circum-
stances were changing, the end uncer-
tain. I foresaw that you would be
guided by events. The verdict might
be in your favor or the people vacillat-
ing; there was still a hope Of French
action. The day has altered all that;
we are confronted with fresh facts and
must consider them. At least you will
admit that il is different"
I admit nothing" she said; my
husband has answered you once for
all"
Then your husband is an obstinate
fool, lady. VIII he sacrifice his life for
an empty throne which he has no de-
sire to iii? 1 do not believe it. He
has too much sense-he knows that we
are wise enough to be generous. I, my
self, will answer for his honor before
Europe. What more does he ask? I
tell you that he is mad to refuse
He asks for justice" was heI
quiet response; what right have you
TO judge him? None-you have none!"
He crossed the room and laid a paper
upon the table before her.
There is my authority, madame" he
cried, as one aping the manner Of the
theater. "Oblige me by admitting it,"
Esther took the paper in her nervous
fingers and turned to the table to read
it. The light was dim and uncertain;
he held a candle that she might see
and holding it, could detect the rapid
beating of her heart and the hot blood
which flushed her cheeks while she
read.
1T is not in English" she exclaimed
presently; Il do not understand Span
ish, Doctor Xavier"
He laughed at his own mistake and
took another paper from the pocket OF
his cape.
Il had forgotten" he said; that is
the document. Read it carefully and
note that there is a line left blank
Some one must sign the paper pres
emily; ah! you cannot see-shall 1 read
it, them"
She pushed the parchment from her
for she knew that when it was signed
Arthur would not have an hour to live
Such a challenge failed utterly IL II
were meant to shake her resolution
She left the paper upon the table and
resumed her old attitude.
Why do you show me THAR" she
asked, a little absently; what has II
to do with me?"
so much that at a word from vou