Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1905-01-24
CHAPTER XIII

They determined to be married at the
British embassy in a month As the
days passed, every one of which brought
Helene's hopes of happiness nearer, the
cloud of terror which had hung over fat
ed Paris assumed a new and more awe
inspiring shape.
But a few weeks previously the enc
mics of France, the Germans, had threat
ened Paris, and held the population in
awe, but now Frenchmen arrayed against
Frenchmen shedding one another's blood.
manning, Staying, destroying. The Prus-
sions stood by, smiling with grim salts
faction, while Frenchmen cut one an
others threats. The red flag of the
Commune was unfurled, and Helene, sit
ting in Henri's room, could hear the rat
tie of the musketry when scores of I'm
armed, inoffensive citizens were murder
ed in cold blood.
Adams had gone away, fatty refusing
to assist at the ceremony, either as wit
ness or as friend. There was nobody left
but Walter to stand in the place of father
or brother for Helene, and Walter, true
to the last, accepted the post of tor
ment. His position at the embassy made
the task a trifle easier for him, but the
bitterness of it had to be tasted, none
the less. At last the morning of the
18th of April, the day appointed for the
wedding, dawned. At II o'clock they
were to be married at the British en-
bassy.
1t was noon, and the fateful ceremony
was over. Henri and Helene were man
and wife according to English law. Wal
ter had stood by with an icy tooth gnaw-
ing at his heart and tearing at it, but
he had borne himself like a man, and the
worst of the pain was past. There was
to be a simple luncheon, only Henri,
Helene, Walter and eight or ten intimate
friends joining in it.
Helene had gone to her room, in the
company of two or three ladies, to change
her dress, and the gentlemen were in the
dining room when on a sudden the room
was invaded by dozen or more guards,
fully armed, headed by a man whose
gold-laced cap indicated an officers rank.
although his blue blouse, his drink-sod-
den face, his whole appearance, indicated
drover or a butcher. The gentlemen
in the room all rose in surprise. But
they were not long left in doubt about
the reason of the intrusion.
1--WE have caught you at last" said
he went on. Citizen Henri Sainton,
who calls himself monsieur-mark you,"
he said, turning to his soldiers-'mark
you, Monsieur Henry Roberts. This fine
monsieur is French citizen, and, what
do you think? He grows rich-millions
and millions of francs-and he does not
give his poor country a thought. He
neither serves his country, nor does he
pay. Therefore, Monsieur Henri Sain-
ton," with an emphasis on the monsieur,
Eve will take you TO prison and the Com
mune will decide what shall be done with
you"
Il have served my country" cried
Henri, rising in anger. 81 have served
the cause of French liberty, when you
were probably hiding behind casks.
fought for the Reds in AS and 1 was
shot and sent to the galleys for having
done so. And now you come and tell me
that / have not done my duty TO the
Commune"
You can explain all that to the Cen
eral when you see him." hiccoughed the
Communist. But l warn you, Citizen
Henri Sainton. that he is not credulous
kind of man, If you make your tale not
very plausible he will have you shot for
lying. He is very quick-tempered, and
he is nasty when he is angered."
You surely see, sir" interposed Wal
ter, that this gentleman is an invalid.
1t has been impossible for him to join
the army or the Commune either for
months past, because he has been con-
fined to his room"
''The citizen can explain all he wants
TO the General. he can urge any excuse
be likes. l don't think it will help him
much. l am in hurry, and if you
please, Citizen Henri Saintonz we will go
away together"
Resistance was. of course useless. and
Henri submitted quietly. while two sui
len-faced fellows, their semblance of uni
forms stained with blood, took him. one
by either arm. and D. 'hed him roughly
along, as he was not yet active enough
TO proceed at the pace they required
They were already on the landing
when Helene came flying down the stair
cas-. She saw at . glance what had
occurred, and. with a womsnly disregard
of consequences, she darted upon the sol
diers who guarded her husband and flung
herself between them.
who Is that woman?' cried the off,
Ger.
And Henri replied: 'She is my wife"
81 don't care whether she IS your wife
or your daughter. or your mother. or
your grandmother. Push her back, some
of you. And bring this man along"
One of the villains gripped Helene's
arm and dragged Henri away from her.
She had been brave enough years ago.
when her own life was in danger. But
now. with her heart throbbing for the
man who held her hope of happiness on