Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-12-30
DAILY SHORT STORY
HIS IRON NERVE.
(Original.l

aristocrats. He was a man possessing
great physical and will power. with
nerves of iron. This morning. having
heard that one Of the most hated royal
lists had escaped TO England, there was
an especially merciiess expression on
his face as his cold gray eyes glanced
over the dozen persons covering be-
fore him. One by one lie sealed them
to the guilIotine. till the last. a girl. Il
mere child, stood up before him, look
ing ut him with pair of innocent blue
eyes. apparently unconscious of her
peril.
your name:" asked Oudinot. relax
ing momentarily from his severe ex-
preston.
"Clochette de Forcinet''
Daughter of the citizen who styles
himself the Marquis de Forcinet?"
Yes. NJ. le Juge."
Oudinot sat irresolute. The marquis
was the royalist whose escape had SO
disappointed the revolutionists. On
spoke the words that condemned the
child to the guillotine.
Oudinot leaned back in his chair to
rest after his mornings work OF con-
demning dozen fellow beings to
death. and the wretched crowd was
led back TO the prison. A man envel-
ope1 in cloak and a hat drawn down
over his eyes entered the room, throw
ing of both hat and cloak when he
perceived that he was alone with the
judge.
.IIa. Sanglier what do you here"
asked Oudinot. when you should be
in the Place de In Concorde working
your guillotineY'
Il have engaged a substitute. 1 wish
to resign my position"
Are You not well paidT
"Yes. NJ. Oudinot, / am we'll paid. but
my nerve is giving out"
Nonsense. man, We have no occa-
sion for nerves when we are Kidding
France Of those who have tyrannized
over us for centuries"
Nevertheless I can bear the strain
no longer
"Are your sympathies turning toward
our enemies:' the Judge asked, with
knitting brows.
NO. NJ lie Juge. If you, with your
infiexible will. We're TO see what / see
every day l am sure you would bend
before the sight"
81 bend before seeing these people.
who have SO long denied us and our
children bread. expiate their crimes?
Are you mad. Sanglier?"
Sanglier bent his head in thought
II will make you proposition. NJ.
Oudinot. will retain my office dur
ing tomorrow. Come at the hour the
work begins and remain till IT is over.
II you do not finch l will acknowledge
you are right. II you do you are to
relieve me OF my office"
Done" said Oudinot. 81 will be
there"
In the morning Oudinot after a CON-
Portable breakfast took his hat and
cane and strolled toward the Place de
In COncorde. AS he was about to turn
into the space where the guillotine was
set up a tumbrel passed him with
load Of victims. one of them a strip
ling girl leaning over the side Of the
cart, in whom he recognized ClOchette
de Forcinet. She was looking at him
with an ifnconcerned expression, and
as the tumbrel passed very near him
she said softly:
Good morning, N. lie Juge!'
Oudinot started. He had become
used to seeing people hear him con-
denim them to death with fear and
with shrieks and fainting.
1t seemed to madden him, to put an
edge OH his cruelty, but this child
what did she mean by wishing him a
good morning without the slightest
He put his hand I'm his
pocket and took out his handkerchief
to wipe his brow, for the day was hot,
and noticed n slight tremor I'm his arm.
"Nonsensew he muttered. and, brac
ing himself he hurried on TO the foot
of the guillotine. Sanglier was stand |
ng by the instrument waiting for him.
FOR the first victim.
He was a young noble. who met
ieath unfiinchingly. Then came n |
woman. who had TO Ice carried and plac- |
ID In position on the guillotine; next
priest. encouraging the others and
wearing a look on his face as IL he al |
'eady saw heaven. They followed one
mother. Oudinot keeping his eyes I'm
on them from first 10 last
till Clochette de FOrcinet was led up.
1t seemed TO NJ. OudinOt as If some
hing within him were giving way. His
read swan. He leaned heavily on his
.ane Clochette was placed on the
,uillotine. Did she look upon it as
,lsy? Was she proud TO meet DEATH
which she did not understand IL she
Will prfz of
chool? She lay fiat on the board and
Isked:
Am I In the right positiOnf''
She was told that she was. Then,
urning to Oudinot. she said:
"Goodby. NJ. lie Juge"
Oudinot swayed. put his hand to his