The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1904-12-28

the fight. The document that is to be |
the birth certificate of nation lies up
on the table. Since early morning the |
discussion has been bitter.
The insect hum ceased suddenly.
There was II forward movement of the
group in the anteroom toward the cur
tains.
"Stop" echoed an intense voice be-
hind them. "Stop! Joseph Galloway
stepped into the room from one OF the
side entrances and closed the door.
"Praise the Most High" he ejaculat-
ed, chat am come in time Gentle
men, as you would save the congress
from most shameful scandal, let not
that man pass from this roomp
There was murmur OF angry amaze
ment from the group. Armand's hand
dropped to his side. His face had whit
cned and Pliarne's mustachios worked
alarmingly.
"Sir," interposed Dickinson sternly,
1--WE receive here lcgate of Francew
'You receive an impostor, n villain
and spyw
Pliarnc's hand went to his sword,
but Dickinson stepped before him,
while the others stood stock still, blank
ness in their bearing.
can INSULT" cried the former. "And
to the very face of monsegneur! Cen
tlcmen, you have cause enough to know
the politics of this meddler who has
forced his way into this presence"
81 am an honest man." retorted Gallo.
way. "My errand here should demon
strate that. And what say prove"
90 ..1, Iic
ten, sir" said Dickinson, his brows to-
gcthcr. Heaven forbid that we should
affront such Il guest. Yet the words
you have uttered demand, for his eX-
cellency's satisfaction at least, an eX-
planation. In his name, then, speak,
but quickly and begonc." Dickinson
was diplomat.
81 shall be BRIEF" returned Galloway.
"This man, whom you believe French
nobleman, is Louis Armand, an adven-
turcr lately arrested in Virginia, now
in the secret service Of the British. The
message he bears is forgery convey
ing the offer of aid only on impossible
conditions calculated to discourage hope
and Quench the fervor for independ-
encc."
A low exclamation that was very like
an abjurgation burst from Dickinson's
lips, and his eyes flashed first on the
speaker and then upon Armand.
The color was come back to the young
Frcnchman's face.
"In my own country, gentlemen" he
laughed, eve have asiles for such poor
miscrablcs. However-my reputation,
how dear it is to me! You will proceed,
beg"
1t was admirably done. A quaver OF
relief spread abroad.
"rbc document in the case" said Gal.
loway and handed Dickinson the writ
ing executed by Lord Chctwynde at the
Halifax prison: "an agreement duly
signed accepting this traitorous mis-
sion"
Having delivered it over, he rubbed
his hands together softly.
can arrant concoction TO be surc!'
rallied Pliarnc. "What could be casicri
A signature? or course, of course. Blu!
| his-Zounds! Such cffrontcry passes
belief. 'An adventurcr arrested in Nir
ginia,' forsooth? Vert ever III Virginia
you Tory?"
NO." answered Galloway cool'y.
A heavy rcvcrboratins voice, passion
| thrilled doomed through tho door be-
| Vond the curtains. and thc sound of
! hand clapping followed 1t in far, vel
vet tumult.
""ris the Doclaratiopln exclaimed
| pliarnc. "Thc Declaration! 'Tis be
/ fore them for SIGNATURES. They will
! decide in mn hour And Won ,ist,n =,
/ this sn,Ir noltroon",
/ Tho s,vnot broI,o unou Dic;irson,.
| forehead Through ali these months
INV voirn ond ncn ha ho1 etrivon 10 i'm
! otto thn colonies 10 mutin,. yot bn bof
rocoilnd from, Tnrfnrsnn.s lola ,n.o,utio,
10 sovcr from thr CROWN .fErhnc,
/ hc had preached NOT secession And vo
and vot-
He turned to Armand. "rhe content.
of vour n,,ss,nnv ho said 90 n,uc,
dcncnds 1fm-
"Sirw Armand stonnnd hin, shorn
ly. "What | bear is for the consress!'
an Gods name, then, who and wha-
are you:"
"a messenger of tho Frcnch linr,"
Silence fell. Through It Joscph Gal
loway's unctuous voice spread softly
"Gcntlcmcn. have conclusive wit
ness. one momcntw
He passed through the side door anl
| an instant later entered, leading Anne
/ All ovcc >vnro t,u,nn1 ,,no, tlc,,