Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-04-14

er and / would have been able to
escape, but the Baron de Heidelmann-
Bruck pushed us back and climbed
through himself"
.'It's lie" cried the baron hoarsely.
'Silencev' warned the clerk.
'And after that?"
There came into her face look Of
terrible sadness.
81 don't know what happened after
that for long time. / was very i'll
and-for years l did not remember
these things
'You mean that for years you did
not remember what you have just tes-
tified?"
eyes, that is what mean"
The room was so hushed in expectn-
ton that the tension was like physical
pain.
''You did not remember your mother
during these years?"
mo"
'Not even her name?"
She shook her head 81 Gid not re-
member my own name"
"But now you remember every
thing?'
Yes everything"
"When did you recover your mem
ory?"
''It began to come back a few weeks
ago"
Under what circumstances"
Under circumstances like those
when-when l lost it."
"How do you mean?"
"I-I''- She turned slowly. as If
drawn by some horrible fascination
and looked at De Heidelmann- Bruck.
The baron's face was CHASTITY white.
"Yes?' encouraged the judge.
II was in another fire." she MUIR
INJURED. stiil staring at the baron. Il
I nearly lost my life there"
The witness had reached the end OF
her strength She was twisting and
untwisting her white fingers piteously,
while the pupils of her eyes widened
and contracted in terror. She stagger-
ed as if she would faint or tall, and
the guard was starting toward her
when, through the anguished silence,
a clear, confident voice rang out:
7 '.AliccP'
1t was the prisoner who had spoken.
1t was the lover who had come to the
rescue and whose loya' cry broke the
spell of horror. Instantly the girl
turned to Lloyd with look Of Infinite
love and gratitude, and before the out
ragged clerk of the court had finished
his warning to the young American
Alice had conquered her distress.
.Tell us in your own words" said
the judge kindly. chow it was that you
nearly lost your life second time In
a fire."
In low voice. but steadily, Alice
began her story. She spoke briefly of
her humble life with the Bonnetons,
Of her work at Notre Dame Of the oc-
the woodcarver, and finally described
the moment when she was thrust into
that cruel chamber and left there with
NJ. Coquenil-to perish.
Women screamed and tainted, men
broke down and wept. even the judges
wiped plying eyes. as Alice told how
Paul Coquenil built the last barricade
with fire roaring all about him and
then how he dashed among leaping
flames and barehanded, all but naked.
cleared q, way to safety.
Through the tense silence that fol-
lowed her recital came the judges
voice, "And you accuse certain per-
son Of committing this crime?'
''I do" she answered firmly.
Whom do you accuse:"
The audience literally held its breath
as the girl paused before replying.
She turned slowly toward the COVER
ing nobieman aud said distinctly, Il
accuse the Baron de Heidelmann-
Bruck."
All eyes turned to the accused. He
struggled to speak. but the words
choked his throat. If ever a great
man was guilty in appearance the
Baron de Heidelmann-Bruck was that
guilty great man!
81 insist on saying" he burst out
finally. but the judge cut him short.
''You will be heard presently, SIR.
Call the next witness
The girl withdrew, casting last
fond look at her lover, and the clerks
voice was heard suulmoning NJ. Pou-
geot.
The commissary appeared forthwith
and, with all the authority Of his Of
fee, testified in confirmation of Alice's
story. There was 10 possible doubt
that the girl would have persisted in
the flames but for the heroism Of Paul
Coquenil.
Pougeot was followed by DR.. Du-
pratt, who gave evidence as to the re-
eurn of Alice's memory.
Call the next witness" directed the
Judge, and the clerk sang out:
paul Coqrenil.'
(To be Concluded.)