Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-06-03

OIL your message, ne said so much
depends. IT,
"Sir! Armand stopped him sharp
". "What bear is for the congressw
I'm Gods name, then, who and what
are you?"
"a messenger Of the French kingw
Silence fell. Through it Joseph Gal
loway's unctuous voice spread softly.
Gentlemen, I have conclusive wit
ness. One moment!"
He passed through the side door and
an instant later entered, leading Anne.
All eyes were turned upon them.
"'Tis Mistress Tillotson. One of
the committee, who had hitherto kept
silence, was speaking. - lady Of Vir-
ginia, gentlemen, whom l do know
loyal and worthy of all credence."
She did not dare to look about her.
She stood, white, piteous. The quiet
was unbearable.
The oily voice broke 1t. "Look upon
this man. Is he or is he not Louis Ar
mand, lately seized in Virginia for rep
resenting himself French nobleman?"
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 a scarce
audible tone.
"You received this paper from the
hands Of an officer in Che British serv-
Ice? And recognize the signature as
that of this MANI"
YES" The questions We're pitiless.
Her limbs were failing her, and she
caught at the jamb of the door.
II 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" cher courage" sat moment
when matter of great import trem-
bled in the balancew
Enough" The sharp, strained tone
OF Dickinson was relief seThe lady
10 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 duff1e-
! 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
mand dropped into chair and buried
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 now?"
Sir" protested Pliarne, appealing to
Dickinson-"sir,g gentlemen, monstrous
error Is being made. A coil of circum-
stance has been cunningly. wove, to ex-
plain which there is no time; nor, may
hap now, would you credit 1t. But as an
officer Of the French, army, as cheva-
lier, as French gentleman, lay my
oath upon the integrity Of this mission
and Of this man."
I But he knew as he spoke that what
he said was futile.
i 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 1t upon the table. Armand had
sprung to his feet, his head thrown
high, a tiger CLEAN in his eyes.
"Canaille" cried Pliarne.
Dickinson's eye overran the writing
"Send for the guards!' he said in q
choked voice. "a file to seize him" And
Joseph Galloway went out in haste.
At the word fury of passion seem.
ed to capture Armand. Those near him
fell back. His dress sword flashed out
and drew FURNISHED ring about him.
"Stand back!" he hurled between his
teeth. "You shall not stop me! Back
say! Messenger am, and my mes
sage will deliver!'
''Madman! Will he cut his way INF?
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 few moments before, she haG
emerged into the main corridor. She
was dizzy, sick, and the last words Of
her questoner were in her ears. Sht
found herself saying them over DULY
"A matter of great import" s"Trem
bling in the balance"
An old doorkeeper in blue coat witt
faded lace sat near by on woodeI
chair, but the day was warm, and hi
was doing. His mouth was open. ant
he had not stirred when she came out.
She could hear the muff1ed voice:
clashing upon one another, coming
from the main room where the dele
gates sat. The door at one end Of thu
corridor opening on the green wal
ajar, and she was vaguely aware, as {
background, Of the murmurous, multi
keyed noises that hang above an order
" assemblage of many people.
4 And, standing leaning against thu
wall, swift knowledge came to her
The waiting crowd outside; her guide
haste as he hurried her through tn
streets from the Red Lion tavern. 4
matter "of great import" The Dec
laration!
They were considering 1t, hesitating
Armand's message might have decided
and she had betrayed him-stay! Sh
had the packet. It was there in he
cloak. She must find DR.. Franklin. AL
he must be in there at that moment
She had sworn to give it into his YER
hands. He must read It at once-a
once. With the thought her eager fir