Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1904-12-08

There was suence. as II those out
side were surprised at signs Cf an
unexpected resistance
There were more than fifty men out.
side; with them were some women;
and Tomas Fauchel was their leader.
Monsieur lie Baron, will you per-
nit me TO arrange the defence as
see fit?" inquired the young oficer,
turning to his host.
Most assuredly, sir; for have full
confidence in your ability" was the
reply.
Then extinguish every light in this
hall. and close all the doors leading
from It. so that all here will be in
darkness" said the lieutenant, now
speaking authoritatively. And do you.
Greloire, looking toward his sol.
diers-"with Murier and Leboeuf,
stand here beside Monsieur lie Baron.
Watch that broken window, and put
ball into every head that appears
there"
GrelOire saluted silently. and the of.
ficer continued: IF Tatro will act as
guide, to pilot myself and the others
out through some unobserved way, we
will make a detour and treat our
friends to an attack in the flank"
Some of the hurled-in torches had
lit the hall for a moment; but they
were quickly extinguished by the
baron.
A moment later the discharge of
musketry outside told that the lieu
tenant and his men had come upon
the scene. Then the air was rent by
more yells and imprecations, but with
a sound in them bespeaking dismay
on the part of the surprised maraud-
ers.
a second volley rang out, and the
officers voice was heard STEADY,
my men. Load and fire at will, or club
your muskets. Teach these people a
lesson-one in the name of the AS.
sembly."
Those in the hall now saw a fam
ing torch thrust through the window.
1t was held by Tomas Fauchel. who
waved II wildly as he shouted SHOW
thyself, thou craven baron, for neither
man nor devil shall force me from
this place until l have kept my oath,
and killed thee"
The light of his torch fell upon the
uplifted face-white and stern-of the
baron, who said, laying his hand upon
the musket with which Leboeuf was
taking aim at the half-crazed fanatic,
DO him no harm, let him live"
Fauchel, who had heard the words,
answered them with a mocking laugh,
ana quickly extending his other hand,
pulled the trigger of a pistol, as he
tossed his torch into the hall and
yelled. Die, thou damnable Papist,
and take to hell with thee no thanks
OF mine for sparing my life"
The baron reeled, for he was struck
fairly in the forehead. But he was
caught by LebOeuf. and his dead form
was not laid upon the floor before Gre
loire had planted a musket-ball in
Fauchels head, and tumbled him
from the ladder-dead as the man he
had assassinated.
His followers, terrified by the lieu
tenants unexpected attack. were now
flying like scared sheep; and the fight
was ended.
An hour later the silence that
wrapped the chateau would have re-
PEELED the thought of such an uproar
having ragged within it so recently.
The dead had been laid in upper
rooms, and Margot had gone to her
own Part of the house, leaving Jean
in the drawingroom with the lieuten-
ant, who was now walking up and
down, and now sitting on the divan,
beside the passionately grieving boy,
to whom he spoke words of tenderest
sympathy, stroking the dark hair, or
holding the burning hands in a cool
clasp that was infinitely soothing.
Some Of the soldiers took turns at
mounting guard in the lower hall, for
fear of a possible renewal of the at
tack. But the peasants outburst was
evidently spent, for the present, at
least, as nothing happened to disturb
the silence of the succeeding hours.
Ito be continued.)