Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1904-08-05

ond the pursuers came tumbling to the
porch. Anne meantime. taking clew
from him, had managed to fasten one
of the windows in the opposite side.
He sprang to secure the other before
the soldiers reached the back of the
house.
This shut out the last of the moon
light, and the room became black
darkness. Outside was deadened
clamor, curses and shouts to fetch ships
lanterns and search the empty quarters
for an ak. Anne could hear Armand's
convulsive breathing.
She had CROPPED her way to the side
board and opened its candle drawer. A
tiny half inch end rewarded her. Flint
and steel still hung in their accustomed
place. She struck them and lighted the
wick with trembling hands.
AS she did so a heavy body came
hurting against the other side Of the
Inner door. Better give up, you wea-
SELL" painted voice.
Armand answered loudly, IF | do
will you promise to let the lady go?"
"You shall not give yourself up to
them! They would not hold to such a
promise"
With her cry, however whirled a
scramble of curses. We'll lay you by
the heels and take the girl back, too,
curse your And a rain of blows de-
Bcended ON the door, while a crash
nf chn h,
wall.
Leaping back, Armand dragged out
the heavy mahogany sideboard, now
slashed and denied, and set it against
one door, The other he REINFORCED
with the overturned table and bound
this to its place with the twisted win
dow curtains. Last, he wrenched an
iron from the fireplace and stood wait
ing At the same moment the candle
end collapsed, the wick dropped, flick
cred and went out and darkness fell
around them again.
A lull had come in the attack Evi-
IDENTITY a consultation was being held
The blackness seemed to lie upon
Anne's soul like a heavy weight, and
what shall we dor" she asked DULY.
I'VE cannot hold out for long"
But there was no reply.
II am SO frightened" she said
piteously. Its dark Come to me,
Louis"
She listened, but he made no stir
You will not come to me, will not
pity or comfort me?" she entreated
through the void. yet tonight l tried
to save your life"
For what end2 You who took from
ii all that makes life sweet l trusted
you" She shrank at the ring of scorn
in his voice. Il trusted you'll"
And you" she answered. 81 loved
and hoped and trusted too. After they
took you from here that evening, every
night when l went to bed l said a
prayer and kissed my poor hand to you
in the dark. And l have done so every
night since then-every night, Louis"
Something like sob sounded in the
room, and she stretched out her arms
toward 1t.
II tried 10 keep my promise. You re-
member when they dashed the bond
womanf She woke with craZed brain
and the packet-your packet-was gone.
All those months l searched and found
1t at last by chance. ! did not get to
Philadelphia with it till-that morn
ing"
There was no further answer. and
she slipped on her knees, feeling a
yearning that was like poignant sick
ness.
You must hear" she went on plead.
ingly. clasping her fingers, "and be-
lieve me or my heart will break Fate
put me In the recess of the window al
the Red Lion tavern, Louis. I saw Jar
rat give you the forged message-saw
you fight and run him through.
knew you were true-true to your mas
ters honor and your own"
You accused me" The words stung
her. Accused me to the COntinentalsn'
Listen Listen to mer' she prayed
desperately. Il must tell you 1t all
now-now at the end. Jarrat showed
me the paper-the contract that bound
you to give your life-your life. And
knew you would do IL. Oh, what that
meant, l would have given my OWL
life hundred times to prevent It Car
you think what it cost me to stand In
that room ard say that-that Of you
Your face was dreadful. l thought ]
should die when you looked at mer'
$50 you killed my honor"
"No, no! Not that did not mean
that, Louis, l had such little time &c
VAa2sA