Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1904-07-08
decide in an hour. And you listen to

cite the colonies to mutiny. Yet he had
recolled from Jefferson's bold resolution
to sever from the crown. Resistance
he had preached, not secession. And yet
and yet
He turned to Armand. THE contents
Of your message" he said 80 much
depends. If"--
Sir" Armand stopped him sharp
ly. "What l bear is for the congress-
an Gods name, then, who and what
are your
"a messenger of the French kingv'
Silence fell. Through it Joseph Gal
loways unctuous voice spread softly.
Gentlemen, I have a conclusive wit
ness. One moment"
He passed through the side door and
an instant later entered. leading Anne.
All eyes were turned upon them.
Its Mistress TillotsonW One Of
the committee, who had hitherto kept
silence, was speaking. "a lady of Viz
GINA, gentlemen, whom do know
loyal and worthy of ali 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 French nobleman2"
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 scarce
audible tone.
you received this paper from the
hands Of an officer In the British serv-
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.
If she only dared look at him. Would
they never let her go? The hypocrisy
in those rounded, smooth syllables.
Were they framing thanks? For her
loyalty" her courage" "at q moment
when Il matter Of great import trem-
bled I'm the balancel'
Enough The sharp, strained tone
of Dickinson was a relief. The lady
is fatigued"
Then the cooler air Of the outer hall
smote her face and the falling curtain
shut away from her that dreadful
room, the torturing voice, the duffle-
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 her Ar
| md IL TT,
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 nowf'
Sir" protested Pliarne, appealing to
Dickinson-''sir gentlemen, a monstrous
error is being made. \ coil Of circum-
stance has been cunningly woye, to ex-
plain which there Is no time; nor may
hap now, would you credit it. But as an
officer of the French army, as a cheva-
Her, as French gentleman, I lay my
oath upon the integrity of this mission
and of this man"
But he knew as he spoke that what
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 guards" he said in a
choked voice. "a file to seize himw And
Joseph Galloway went out in haste.
AT the word IA fury of passion SEEM
ed to capture Armand. Those near him
fell back. His dress sword flashed out
and drew Il Furnished ring about him.
Stand back" he hurled between his
teeth. You shall not stop me! Back.
l say! Messenger | am, and my mes.
sage l Will deliverw
Mailman! VIII he cut his way in Y'
cried Dickinson.
Armand, dragging the curtain from
its hooks. had gained the hall He
sprang at 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 a few moments before she had
emerged into the main corridor. She
was dizzy, sick. and the last words of
her questioner were 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 be
was doing. His mouth was open, and
he had not stirred when she came out
She could hear the mufi1ed voices
clashing upon one another, coming
from the main room where the dele
ho % % h.