The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1907-08-02
ri SISTER ROSE. X
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"You will have to wait here" said
the little man. 'till the rest Of them
have been tried and sentenced; and
then you will all 60 to prison in a lump.
Ha. citizen!" he continued. observing
Lomaque at the other end Of the hall
and bustling up to him. Here still,
Ell? II you were going to stop much
longer. I should ask a favor Of you.''
Il am in no hurry" said Lomaque,
with a glance at the two prisoners.
Good" cried the hunchback, draw
Ing his hand across his mouth. II am
parched with thirst. and dying to moist
en- my throat at the wine shop over the
way Just mind that man and woman
while I'm gone. will you? It's the mer-
est form-there's a guard outside. the
windows are barred, the tribunal Is
within hail. Do you mind obliging
me-"
"On the contrary. am glad Of the
opportunity"
That's a good fellow-and. remen-
Der. If I am asked for. you must say
was obliged to quit the court for few
minutes. and left you in charge"
With these words. the humpback Jail
er ran OF to the wine shop.
He had scarcely disappeared before
Trudaine crossed the room. and caught
Lomaque by the arm.
"Save her." he whispered. there ia
an opportunity-save her!" His face
was f1ushed-his eyes wandered his
hroafh IN tho oh{nf a oar%so m AL, 1r,1,i1,
he spoke felt scorchingly hot. "Save
herr! he repeated. shaking Lomaque by
the arm. and dragging him toward the
door. Remember all you owe to my
father-remember our talk on that
bench by the river-remember what
you said to me yourself on the night
OF the arrest-dor't wait to think-save
her. and leave me without word! II
! die alone I can die as a man should
II she goes to the scaffold by my side
my heart will fail mel shall die The
death Of coward! have lived for her
!ife-let me die for 1t. and die happy"
He tried to say more. but the violence
Of his agitation forbade it. He could
only shake the arm he held again and
again, and point to the bench on which
Rose sat-her head sunk on her bosom.
her hands crossed listlessly on her lap.
There are two armed sentinels out
| side-the windows are barred-y0u are
without weapons-and even II you had
them, there ia guard-house within hail
on one side of you and the tribunal on
the other. Escape from this room is
impossible" answered Lomaque.
"1mpossible!" repeated the other. fu-
riously. '"You traitor! you coward! can
you look at her sitting there helpless
her very life ebbing away already with
coolly that escape is impossible?"
In the frenzy of his grief and despair,
he lifted his disengaged hand threat:
ening!y while he spoke. Lomaque
caught him by the wrist, and drew him
toward window open at the top.
"You are not in your right Senses
said the chief-agent, firmly; anxiety
and apprehension on your sisters ac-
count have shaken your mind. Try to
compose yourself and listen to me.
have something important to say
(Trudaine looked at him incredulously.)
Important" continued Lomaque, "as
affecting your sisters interest at this
terrible crisis"
That last appeal had an instantane-
GUS effect. Trudaine's outstretched hand
dropped to his side, and sudden change
passed over his expression.
"Give me moment" he said, family;
and turning away, leaned against the
wall. and pressed his burning forehead
on the chill. damp stone. He did not
raise his head again till he had mas
tered himself, and could say quietly,
Speak am at to hear you, and suf1i-
GENTLY in my senses to ask your for
giveness for what said Just now"
When 1'left the tribunal and entered
this ROOM" Lomaque began in whis-
per, there was no thought in my mind
that could be turned to good account,
either for your sister or for you.
was fit for nothing but to deplore the
failure of the confession which came
to st. Lazare to suggest to you as your
best plan of defense. Since then, an
idea has struck me. which may be USE
ful-an idea so desperate, so uncertain
involving proposal so absolutely
dependent, as to its successful execu-
ton. on the merest chance, that re-
fuse to confide 1t to you except on one
condition"
Mention the condition! submit to
1t beforehand"
"Gtve me your word Of honor that
you will not mention what am about
to say to your sister until l grant you
permission to speak. Promise me that
when you see her shrinking before the
terrors Of death tonight. you will have
self-restraint enough to abstain from
breathing word of hope to her. ask
this. because there are ten-twenty-.
fifty chances to one that there 10 no
hope"
Il have no choice but to promise, 9
answered Trudaine. 4.
CHAPTER XVII.
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VI0 80. >>.,.>A