Rocky Ford enterprise., 1904-12-16

and exclaimed. Mon Dieu. Monsieur
le Baron. The peasants! A great
crowd OF them are coming up the ave
nue.! Hark-you can hear their
shouts"
The chessmcn and board fell to the
fioor ns both players sprang from
their chairs: and Jean. all sleepiness
banlshed from his eyes. stood beside
them.
Call my soldiers at once" ordered
Bonaparte. speaking to Tatro. Mon
sleur 10 Baron" he added. turning to
him. we will do all In our power for
| your protection"
/ The dozen soldiers appeared. and
were ordered to post themselves In
ths hall. where they stood. with ready
arms. behind their commander and
the baron. who were nearer the stout
ly barred door. listening to the wild
hubbub OF voices now close to the
chateau.
The lieutenant waited until there
WAS n luii In the noice: then. raising
bis voice. he called out. Have a care
That you do. for the baron Is not with
hit protectors. ! am an officer OF the
Asscmbly: and In Its name I bid you
dispcrsc."
There was silence. M II those out
dc were surprised nt signs OF an
unexpected resistance.
There were more than ffty men out
he: with them were some women:
ID Tomas fauchcl was their leader.
"Aionsicur L. Baron. will you per
I1it me to arrange the dcfcnc. as !
sec ht?" inquired the young oiiiccr.
turning To his host.
'Most assurcdiy. sir: for have full
confidence In your ability" was the
reply. .....
''Thcn cStinsuish every Hight In this
hall. and close all the doors leading
from IL. 80 that all here will be In
darkness" said tho lieutenant. now
speaking authoritativciy. And do you.
Grcioirc. looking toward his sol
dIcrs-"with Muricr and Lcbocuf.
stand here beside Monsieur 10 Baron.
Watch that broken window. and put
ball into every head that appears
there"
GfcIoIrc saiu,cd silently. and the of.
ficcr continued: IF Tatro will act M
guide. to pilot myself aud the others
out through some unobscrvcd way. wo
will make n dciour. and treat our
friends 10 an attack In the flank"
Some Of tho huricd.in torches had
lit tho hall for moment: but they
were quickly cSiinguishcd by tho
baron.
4 momon, later the discharge of
muskctry outside told that the lieu
tenant and his men had come upon
the scene. Then the air was rent by
more yciis and imprccations. but with
n sound In them bcspcaking dismay
on the part OF the surprised maraud
.rs.
4 second vollcy rang out. and the
officers voice was heard. Steady
my men. Load and fire At will. or club
your muskcts. Teach these people
lesson-Snc In the name OF the As
scmbly." ..
Those In the hall now saw fam
ing torch thrust through the window
1t was held by Tomas fauchcl. who
waved, Il wildly as he shouted. SHOW
thyself. thou craven baron. for neither
man nor devil shall force me from
this place until I have kept my oath.
and killed thec."
The light of his torch fell upon the
upliftcd face-whitc and stern-of the
baron. who said, laying his hand upon
the musket with which Leboeuf was
taking aim at the halfcrazed fanatic.
"Do him no harm. let him live"
Fauchel, who had heard the words.
answered them with a mocking laugh
ana quickly extending his other hand.
pulled the trigger of pistol. as he
tossed his torch into the hall and
yelled. Die. thou damnablc Papist
and take to hell with thee no thanks
OF mine for sparing my iife."
The baron rceled. for he was struck
fairly in the forehead. But he was
caught by Leboeuf. and his dead form
was not laid upon the floor before Gre
loire had planted musket.ball In
Fauchel's head. and tumbled him
from the ladder-dcad as the man he
had assassinated.
His followers. terrified by the lieu.
tenants unexpected attack. were now
fying like scared sheep; and the fight
was ended.
An hour later the silence that
wrapped the chateau would have re
pelled the thought Of such an uproar
having ragged within 1t so recently
The dead had been laid in upper
rooms. and Margot had gone to her
own part of the house, leaving Jean
in the drawing.room with the lieuten.
ant. who was now walking up and
down. and now sitting on the divan,
beside the passionately grieving boy,
TO whom he spoke words of tenderest
sympathy. stroking the dark hair. OF
holding the burning hands in a cool
clasp that was infinitely soothing.
Some Of the soldiers took turns at
mounting guard in the lower hall, for
fear of possible renewal of the at.