Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-05-25

ing executed by LORD Snetwynde Mt the
Halifax prison: IAN agreement duly
signed accepting this traitorous mis-
sion"
Having delivered it over, he rubbed
his hands together softly.
can arrant connection, to be sure!'
rallied Pliarne. "What could be easier?
A signature? OF course. of course. But
his-zounds! Such effrontcry passes
belief. AN adventurer arrested in Vir-
ginia, forsooth? Vert ever in Virginia,
you Tory?"
NO" answered Galloway coolly.
A heavy reverberating voice, passion
thrilled, doomed through the door be-
yond the curtains and the sound of
hand clapping followed it in far, vel
vet tumult.
"'Tis the Declarationw exclaimed
Pliarne. 1.-THE Declaration! TITS be-
fore them for signatures. They will
decide in an hour. And you listen to
| this SNUG poltroon!"
The swent broke upon Dickinson's
forehead. Through all these months,
| by voice and pen, he had striven to in
cite the colonies TO mutiny. Yet he had
recoiled from Jefferson's bold resolution
to sever from the crown. Resistance
he had preached, not secession. And yet
and yet
He turned to Armand 1.-THE contents
of your message" he said $50 much
depends. IT,
"Sir" Armand stopped him sharp
ly. what bear is for the congressw
"In Gods name, then. who and what
are your
| "a messenger of the French king!"
Silence fell. Through it Joseph Gal
loway's unctuous voice spread softly.
Gentlemen, have n conclusive wit
ness. One moment!'
lie passed through the side door and
an instant later entered, leading Anne.
All eyes were turned upon them.
""Tis Mistress Tillotsonw One of
the committee, who had hitherto kept
silence, was speaking. "a lady of yir-
GINA, gentlemen, whom l do know
loyal and worthy of all credence."
She did not dare to look about her.
She stood, white, piteous. The quiet
was unbearable
The oily voice broke it. "Look upon
this man. Is he or is he not Louis Ar
mand, lately seized in Virginia for rep
resenting himself a French nobleman?"
She turned her eyes an instant to
him and saw his face deadly pale, his
eyes terrible, staring at her.
HE is" she answered in a scarce
audible tone
"You received this paper from the
hands of an officer in the British sery-
ice? And recognize the signature as
that of this MANI"
YES" The questions were pitiless.
Her limbs were failing her, and she
caught at the jamb Of the door,
II she only dared look at him! Would
they never let her go? The hypocrisy
in those rounded, smooth syllables!
Were they framing thanks2 "For her
loyalty" cher courage" "at moment
when matter Of great import trem-
bled in the balanccn
Enough" The sharp, strained tone
of Dickinson was relief. 1.-THE lady
is fatigued."
Then the cooler air of the outer hall
smote her face, and the falling curtain
| smut away from her that dreadful
room, the torturing voice, the duiiie.
gray men and among them all that ST.
lent, accusing face, those eyes suddenly
sunken, round with pain Armand,
whom she loved and had betrayed!
AS the door closed behind Ar
'i.fst dropped into a chair and buried
his face in his hands,
And now, gentlemen" finished Gal
loway, turning again into the room,
will you let this unspeakable villain
pass those doors now?"
Sir" protested Pliarne, appealing to
Dickinson-"sir, gentlemen, a monstrous
| error Is being made. A coil of circum-
stance has been cunningly wove, to ex.
plain which there is no time; nor, may.
hap now, would you credit 1t. But MS an
officer Of the French army, as cheya-
lier, as French gentleman, Law nv
oath upon the integrity of this mission
and of this man."
But he knew rs he spoke that whit
he said was futile.
Joseph Galloway had crossed the
room behind Armand's chair and now,
with quick movement, reaching from
behind, thrust his hand into the young
mans breast and drew forth the forged
parchment.
document number two" he said,
tossing it upon the table. Armand had
sprung to his feet, his head thrown
high, tiger CLEAN in his eyes.
"Canaille" cried Pliarne.
Dickinson's eye overran the writing.
Send for the guardsw he said in a
clicked voice. "a file to seize hint" And
Joseph Galloway went out in haste.
at the word fury of passion seem
ed to capture Armand. Those near him
fell back. His dress sword flashed out
and drew n FURNISHED ring about him.
Stand back" he hurled between his
teeth. you shall not stop me! Back,
l say! Messenger l am, and my mes
sage l will deliver!
"Madman! Will he cut his way in?"
cried Dickinson.
Armand, dragging the curtain from
Its hooks, had gained the hall. He
sprang ut the great doors and struck
them frenziedly with his sword. But
with the first blow the light steel rat
tied to the floor broken half way to the
hilt.
When Anne had issued from the ante
room few moments before, she had
emerged into the main corridor. She
was dizzy, sick. and the last words Of
her quesdoner We're In her ears She
found herself saying them over duly.
"a matter of great import" "Trem.
bling in the balance"
An old doorkeeper in blue coat with
faded lace sat near by ON wooden
chair, but the day was warm, and he
was doing. His mouth was open, and
he had not stirred when she came out.
She could hear the mufiied voices
clashing upon one another, coming
from the main room where the dele
| gates sat. The door at one end of the
L