The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1907-08-23

/ Asse1ssASS
cisely the same manner that you prof.
tied by the timely instruction which
overthrow the Reign Of Terror. knew
this, anu knew that he walked out Of
prison In the character Of prosecuted
victim of Robespierre's-and for bet
ter than three years past I know no
more. Now listen. Last week hap
pened to be waiting in the shop of my
employer, Citizen Clairfait, for some
papers to take into the counting house
when an old man enters with sealed
parcel; which he hands to one of the
shopmen, saying:
"'Give that to Citizen Clairfait.'
"'Any nance says the shopman.
The name is of no consequence, >
answers the old man: but If you please
you can give mine. Say the parcel
came from Citizen Dubois and then he
goes out. His name, in connection with
his elderly look, strikes me directly.
"Does that old fellow live at Cha
Ions" ask.
NO says the shopman. He is here
In attendance on customer of ours
an old ex-aristocrat named Danville.
She is on visit in our town.
Il leave you to imagine how that re-
ply startles and amazes me. The shop
man can answer none of the other
questions I put to him: but the next
day l am asked to dinner by my en-
ployer (who. for his brothers. sake,
shows me the utmost civility). On en-
terlng the room find his daughter just
putting away lavender-colored silk
scarf, on which she has been embroid-
ering in silver what looks to me like a
crest and coat-of-arms.
II don't mind your seeing what I
am about, Citizen Lomaque,' says she;
for l know my father can trust you.
That scarf Is sent back to us by the
purchaser, an ex-emigrant lady of the
old aristocratic school, to have her fam
lily coat-of-arms embroidered on it,
Rather dangerous commission,
even in these .mercifully democratic
times, is it not?' says 1.
The old lady, you must know says
| she, is as proud as Lucifer; and hav-
ing got back safely to France in these
days of moderate republicanism, thinks
she may indulge with IMMUNITY in all
her old-fashioned notions She has been
an excellent customer of ours, so nv
father thought it best to humor her.
without, however, trusting her COM
mission to any of the work-room wom-
EN- 70 execute. We are not living under
the Reign of Terror now, certainly; still
! there is nothing like being on the safe
side
nothing I answer. Pray what is
this ex-emigrant's nance
'Danville,' replies the Cheyenne
Clairfait. She is going to appear in
that fine scarf at her sons marriage
'Marriage?' I exclaim, perfectly
thunderstruck
Yes, says she. What is there so
amazing in that? BY all accounts, the
: son, poor man, deserves to make lucky
marriage this time. His first wife was
taken away from him in the Reign of
Terror by the guillotine.'
Whom is he going to marry? 1 in
quired. still breathless.
THE daughter of General Berthelin
an ex-aristocrat by family, like tn,
old lady, but by principle as good a re-
publican as ever lived-a hard-drink-
ing, loud-swearing, big-whiskered old
soldier who snaps his fingers at his an
! cestors and says we are all descended
! from Adam. the first genuine sans-cu-
lotte in the world
/ In this way the Cheyenne Clairfait
gossips on all dinner-time, but says
3, nothing more of any Importance. I,
with my old police-office habits, set to
the next day, and try to make some dis
coveries for myself. The sum of what I
find out is this: Danville's mother is
staying with General Berthelin's sis
ter and daughter at Chalons. and Dan
Vile himself is expected to arrive
every day to escort them all three to
Paris, where the marriage-contr is
to be signed at the generals house. Dis
covering this, and seeing that prompt
action is now of the most vital impor-
lance. l undertake. as told you. my
employers commission for Paris; de-
part with all speed; and stop here on
my way. Wait! I have not done yet
All the haste can make is not enough
to give me good start of the wedding
party. On my road here, the diligence
by which travel is passed by car
riage. posting along at full speed.
cannot see inside that carriage: but !
look at the box seat, and recognize on
1t the old man Dubois. He whirls by
In cloud of dust. but i am certain Of
him. and l say to myself. what I now
say to you, no time is to be lost!''
mo time shall be lost" answered
Trudaine, firmly. Three years have
passed." he continued. In lower voice
speaking to himself rather than I,
Lomaque: three years since the day
when l led my sister out Of the gates
4 Of the prison three years since said
In my heart ! will be patient. and viii
not seek to avenge myself. Our wrongs
cry from earth TO heaven; from MAI
who infiicts to God who redressss
When the day Of reckoning comes. le