Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-12-21
UNDER THE
 RED ROBE
wright. .lssi. by Stanley J. wevman.l
By STANLEY J. WHITMAN

en by another, might be killed, might die, might. But there, Mademoiselle we know what answer this person made. He took the baser course, and on his honor, on his parole, with money supplied to him, went free free on the condition that he delivered up this other man."
 paused again, but did not dare to look at her, and after moment of silence I resumed. Some portion of the second half of this story you know Mademoiselle; but not all. Suf flee it that this man came down to g remote village, and there at risk but Heaven knows, basely enough found his way into his victims home Once there, his heart began to fail him. Had he found the house gar risoned by men, he might have pressed on to his end with little remorse. But he found there only two helpless, loyal women; and I say again that from the first hour of his entrance he sickened | of the work he had in hand. Still he | pursued it. He had given his word l and if there was one tradition of his race which this man had never brok- en, it was that of fidelity to his side; to the man that paid him. But he pursued it with only half his mind, in 1 great misery sometimes, if you will be- lieve me, in agonies of shame. Grad ually, however, almost against his will, the drama worked itself out be fore him, until he needed only one thing"
 1 looked at mademoiselle. Bue her head was averted; I could gather nothing from the outlines of her form And I went on. Do not misunder stand me-" I said, in a lower voice Do not misunderstood what I am 90 ing to say next. This is no love story and can have no ending such as TO- mancers love to set to their tales. But am bound to mention, Mademoiselle that this man, who had lived about inns and eating-houses and at the gam ing-tables almost all his days, met here for the first time for years a good woman; and learned by the light of her loyalty and devotion to see what his life had been and what was the real nature of the work he was doing. think-nay, I know-that it added a hundred-fold to his misery, that when he learned at last the secret he had come to surprise, he learned it from her lips and in such way that had he felt no shame, hell could have been no place for him. She thought and had reason to think, that the moment he knew her secret he went out, not even closing the door and used it. But the truth was that. while her words were still in his ears, news came to him that others had the secret: and had he not gone out on the instant and done what he did and forestalled them, NJ. de Cocheforet would have been taken. but by others"
 Mademoiselle broke her long silence so suddenly that her horse sprang for ward. Would to Heaven he had!" she walled.
 Been taken by toth ers?" I ex- claimed, startled out of my false com posture.
 "Oh, yes, yes!" she answered pas sionately. Why did you not tell me- Why did you not confess 10 me even then? I-oh, no mcrel No morei" she continued. n ?iteous voice. 'T have heard enough. You are racking my heart, M de Berault. Some day will ask Goa to give me strength to forgive you"
 But you have not heard me out," I replied
 T want to hear no more" she answered, in a voice she vainly strove to render steady. "To what end: Can say more than have said? Did you think could forgive you now with him behind us going to his death? Oh, no. mol" she continued. "LeaTe me! I implore you to leave me. am not we'll"
 She dropped over her horses neck as she spoke and began to weep so passionately that the tears ran down her cheeks under her mask and fell and sparkled like dew on the mane before her: while her sobs shook her SO painfully that I thought she must fall. I stretched out my hand instinct lively to give her help: but she shrank from me. No" she Easpsd. between her sobs. Do not touch me. There Is too much between US"
 Yet there must be one thing more between us" answered firmly. You must listen to me q little longer, whether you will or no. Mademoiselle. for tne love you bear to your brother. There Is one co1rse still open 10 me by which I may redeem my honor: 1t has been in my mind for some time back 10 take that cSurSe. To-day. l am tharkful to say. can take it cheer fully, fl not without regret; with a stead-fast heart. if with no light ore. Mademoiselle." I continued earnestly, feeling none nf the triumph, none of the vanity. I had forrseeu, but orly joy in the joy I oould Eve her. "I thank God that it is still ir my power to go back to him who sent me s7s telling him that have changed ny mind and will hear my own burdens. 10 pay the penalty"
 We were within hundred paces of the trow of the hilt ard the frser-Dcst now. She cried out wildly that she did not understand "WLst is it you have just ssidZ- she muruured -I cannot hear. And she began 10 Fuubls win