The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-16
ALL RDGMTN R[E,gERW[Z[No

perS Calne WIFI iron Uars. lHey pfoNc
The flames licked UP to the second
story where tile children. were. Those
before the iron door could see the red
mother shrieked in desperate appeal
suddenly a white head appeared in
the opening through which The Mar
outs had escaped. IL was the Marquis
returned!
He had a large key. Without saving
word lie walked to the iron door.
opened 1t. n gulf of flame roared out
and he went in
ing &c his he' head &C, T high. Shaken BY his
FOOT. the floor fell in behind him. He
disappeared in the red glare.
into he the soq ravne ran rh Sas aoked f
his nails in the stone of the bridge and
tried to climb. He fell back raging.
the swapping Of the fire. window in
the library fell outward. Little voices
were heard calling "Mamai Mama
The soldiers clenched their fists They
sobbed. They cursed. They were in
paroXysms of agony.
The MARQUIS appeared at the win
dow. He had huge ladder which had
agility of an athlete he tilted 1t and
let 1t down
Men swarmed ND and he passed the
three Children 10 them amid ld the cheer. Cheers
through the window ahd without turn
ing. around, straight erect. with his
back to the fire he descended.
The soldiers retired before him.
They were filled with awe OF him. He
seemed like the statue of a command
er going down iIio tho tomb.
/ When no reached the ground hand
Il arrest YOU" said cimourdan.
The Marquis had really descended
crypt dungeon under La Tourgue.
I'VE shall convene u court martial"
said cimourdain to Ganvain: You
will not take part in It. It will be to-
morrow. The day after the guillotine.
La Nendee is dead"
Gauvain drew the hood of his cloak
over his head and walked away, lost
structure Of red rising on the plain.
Insensibly the young officer drew
near the entrance of the tower. He
unheedful of the waning night. Voices
| We're speaking to him. Ancestral
emotions stirred him. He saw again
the MARQUIS returning to death. He
ing of the revolt in La Vendee. a revolt
that would blaze again should Lam
tenac not perish.
slowly. toward the tower. a sentry
the dungeon. "open!" said he.
Ga ;,ll, 4 entered. The door closed
the hood over his face and cried:
Lieutenant. open the door!'' The door
opened and Gauvain pushed the amazed
Marquis out.
Once in ehwood the Marquis stop
ped like man who. having yielded to
surprise tries to consider whether he
has done well or Ill. After momen,
n
ers and said Ma foi.'
Early the next day table was
brought into the hall in front of the
dungeon. on \ chair facing the door
sat Cimourdain. presiding over the
court martial. A captain of Gauvaln's
command sat on one side. On the other
The door was flung open Gauyain
stepped out. Cimourdain turned white
and shuddered.
".Gauvainl" he cried. Where is the
st have helped him to escape" said
| Gauvain.
There was a silence. Great drops
of sweat stood on Cimourdain's fore
Seat this man."
He no longer addressed the prison
err Familiarity Colby, formally. he
necessary to draw forth the story
Then he turned to the captain. What
do you voter" asked he.
! The captain droppeed his gaze and
Speak, sergeant" said Cmourdain.
The sergeant rose and cried: q
would have done what my commando,
has done!'
"Acauittal," said Cmourdain, write
clerk"
j; Cmourdain rose. took off his hat and
laid 1t on the table; If all present had
ence would not have been more pro.
found.
In a solemn voice he said: Accused
Gauvain. In the name of the Republic
the court martial. by a majority OF
two to one"
He stopped. There was moment OF
suspense. All held their breath. Gin
ourdain continued:
Condemns you to death"
i When the sun arose again 1t shone
on wall OF soldiers inclosng the red
scaffold. Near it stood a platform OF,
draped in tricolor. Under the flags
sat Cimourdain. motionless. with fold
ed arms.
drums covered with Grape. The ranks
opened A platoon of grenadiers APP.
peared. Behind them walked Gauvain
unbound. his brown hair floating in the
The sun shone on him in his beauty
and that terrible thing. the sob of ar
army. sounded through the silence.
4 M shoyt a Merey,"
N
Some fell on their knees. A gren
adler cried: will you take a sub
stitute? Take mel"
Again came the frantic cry: Mercy
Mercy!"
An memorable voice responded: EN-
: force the law!"
: Tho eSecutioner approached with /;
Wait" said Gauvain. Flo waved
farewell to Cimourdain and then al
lowed himself to be bound.
Long live the Republc!" cried he.
They laid him on the plank. A hid
eous sound was heard.
At the same instant another SCUM,
was, heard. a pistol shot responde,
: to the blow of the az. and as Gauvain
head rolled into the basket Cimourdai,
,, sent bullet through his heart
! The blood poured from his mouth
He fell down dead and these two souls
tragic sisters. departed together, til,
darkness of one mIngling with til,
light of the other.
pHJTIppINN npENyNcc