Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1904-06-16

rage and busy zeal, one mailman Wed
with another in tearing, cutting and
destroying the vehicle, until it stood
there ruined, without means of 1oconlo-
ton, defaced and useless. And still the s
ring of desperate humanity closed
around him who had late been master
of all France.
What do you want, my friends?"
asked he, calmly, as for an instant
there came lull in the tumult. He
stood looking at them curiousIy now,
his dulling eyes regarding them as
though they presented some new and
interesting study. What is it that
you desire? ~ he repeated.
1--WE want our money, cried a score
of voices. We want back that which
you have stolen"
You are not exact, replied, Law,
calmly 4 have not your money, nor
yet have stolen it, IF you have suf-
Tered by this foolish panic, you do not
mend matters by thus treating me.
BY heaven, you go the wrong way to
get anything from me! Out Of the
way, you canaillel Do you think to
brighten me? made your city. |
made you all Now, do you. think to
brighten me. John Law"
-Ohi You would go away, you want
to escaped! cried the voices of those
near at hand. We will see as to that
True, am going away" said Law
But you cannot say that / tried to
steal away without your knowing it.
| There, up the stairs, are my papers
You will see in time that have con-
cealed nothing. Now | am going to
leave Paris, it is true; but not because
am afraid to stay here. Ills for other
reason, and reason of mine own"
Twas you who ruined Paris this
| city which you now seek to leayein
shreked the dame who had spoken be-
fore, still shaking her useless bank
notes in her hand.
"Oh, very well, my friend. For the
argument, let us agree upon that, = said
Law.
You ruined our. company, our beau
tiful company" cried another.
Certainly Since was the orig
inator of it, that follows as matter Of
reason. replied Law.
"Ah, he admits it, He admits it,"
cried yet another Don't let him es-
cape. Kill him! Down with Jean
L'as!"
.Oh, very well, my friends re-
sumed the object of their fury, Ticking
again with his old, careless gesture at
the deep cuff Of his wrist. AS you
ike in regard to that. More than on
man has offered me that happiness IN
the past, yet it was many long year
since any man could trouble me by
announcing that he was aboat to kill
me-
i Something in the attitude of the
man stayed the hands of the most dan
gerous members of the mob. Yet ever
there came the cry from back of them.
Down with Jean Las! He has ruined
everything!"
There came sound of far-off cries,
a distant clacking of hoofs, the clatter
of steel, many shouts, entreaties and
commands. The close-packed crowd
which filed the open space in front of
the hotel writhed, twisted, turned and
would have sought to resolve itself
into groups and individuals. Some
cried out that the troops were coming
A detachment of the kings household,
sent out to disperse these dangerous
gatherings, came full front down the
street, as had so often come the arm
of the military in this turbulent old
city of Paris. Remorselessly they rode
over and through the mob, driving
them, dispensing them. A moment
later, and Law stood almost alone at
the steps of his own house. The
squadron wheeled, headed by an Of
ficer, who rode upon him with sword
uplifted as though to cut him down
Law raised his hand at this new
menace.
| Stop" he cried. 81 am the cause
of this rioting. I am John Law
What! Monsieur L'as?' cried the
| lieutenant $50 the people have found
you, have they?"
1T would SO seem. They have de-
stroyed my carriage, and they would
have killed me" replied Law. But
perceive it is Capt. Mirabec. Twas
VINO got you your commission, as you
may remember.
/ rs it so?" replied the other, with a
grin. II have no recollection. Since
you are Jean Las, the late director
general, the pity is did not let the
people kill you. You are the cause Of
the ruin Of us all, the cause Of my
own ruin. Three days more, and /
had been major general. had near
ly the sum in actions ready to pay over
at the right place. By our lady Of
grace, / am minded to run you through
myself, for a greater villain never set
foot in France!''
| 'sAs you like. But most of all, am
now very weary. would not remain
here longer talking. Henri, where are
Iyou?"
The faithful Swiss, who had re-