The Weiser semi-weekly signal. (Weiser, Washington Co., Idaho) 1904-1911, 1905-04-01

CORRIDOR opening on the green was
agar and she was vaguely aware, as a
background, of the murmurous. r:sulti-
Keyed noises that hang above an order
" assemblage Of many people.
And standing leaning against the
wall a swift knowledge came to her.
The waiting crowd outside: her guides
haste as he hurried her through tho
streets from the Red Lior ,ayern. A
matter of great import" The Dec
laration!
Iney were considering It, hesitating.
Armand's message might have decided.
and she bad betrayed him-stay! She
mad the packet. 1t was there In her
cloak She must find DR.. Franklin. All.
ne must be in there at that moment.
Sne mad sworn 30 give 1t into his very
hands- He must read it at once-at
once. With the thought her eager fin
gers dragged II out.
She glanced at the ola Waterman.
Daily familiarity had made such coun-
ellis hackneyed to him. With eyes upon
him she stole to the door in the center.
She turned the knob softly and tried it.
1t was locked. Smitten with her i'm
potency, she leaned against it and rat
tied the knob
All at once she felt it giving. A key
had been turned from the inside. She
heard the reused doorkeeper shutting
toward her, heard his protestant whis-
per and tugged with all her strength.
buzz of talk that the stout panels
had deadened clamored loud in her
ears. She saw nothing but a broad
aisle, above whose center hung an enor-
nous, many prismed chandelier, glanc-
ing back the sunlight.
Tears burned her eyes to mist, and
her throat was choking. Out Of the
mist as she stopped the crowded body
Of the hall stupefied her with people.
The sound of voices rising as she had
entered stilled in an instant to a silence,
broken by an exclamation and the taut
blow Of a gavel. She was dimly con-
scious Of men-bewigged, dressed most
ly in black and snuff color, with white
neckcloths- or two on their feet.
Her fingers under her cloak clasped
tight the precious packet tight she
could feel its ridges cut into her flesh
and clammy faintness was upon her.
Suddenly this left her, and the jar
ring walls drew into place.
She was standing In the center Of a
square room, plain walled, with three
tall barred windows at each side hung
with green Venetian blinds. In front
of her was a raised, square rostrum
between great empty fireplaces, and,
leaning over its desk, an elderly man
gazing down. Surprise seemed carved
upon his features, and, looking, she
felt a dreadful hysterical desire to
laugh
Below on the floor and facing her
stood a short, stout old man, with a
bald head and fringe of white hair.
His kindly eyes, behind great iron
trimmed spectacles, gave her confidence.
1t came to her in a flash that this was
the great DR.. Franklin
Quivering, she stood before him and
courtesied low. Then she raised her
hand and gave him the packet.
Everything clouded after that and
the ground was swaying. She saw
him break the seal to unfold the paper
and start as he bent his eyes upon it
Through the buzz of whispered curios
ity she felt a familiar voice strike
speaking her name, and saw the sharp
features and foxy hair of Mr.. Jeffer-
son. His hand was drawing her to
ward the entrance. She heard DR.
Franklin's voice, like a great clear
organ note, II will lift up mine eyes
unto the hills from whence cometh my
help"
Then, as they reached the doors, 6
clamor on the other side-the sound OF
metal striking against the wood.
The hinges swung outward. She hat
a momentary glimpse of Armand
standing in the corridor, white, di
sheveled, broken sword in his hand