The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-26


 service?" What serviceY' Maurice is perhaps deeper in our secrets than we im- agine. This may be a pretext-or it may be reality. Write him a line, dear Genevieve. When interests so great as ours are at stake, will you recoil before any paltry considerations of self-love? Confident in such a wife as you, I need not fear" But Genevieve refused to write a word to Maurice, and Dixmer himself went to see the young man.
 What ails you and what have you writ ten to me?" he asked of the young man. Indeed, my dear Maurice, feel 1t sen sibly. The reason which you have writ ten for not visiting me is subterfuge. Tell me, what is it?" "Yes,' replied Maurice. falling into the snare and giv- ing way partially to his natural frank ness, 'it is. My dear Dixmer, you have young and charming wife who is as vir- tuous as she is charming. Yet Mime Dix mer's we'll known character cannot pre- vent my frequent visits to your house from being misinterpreted." Dixmer turned pale Indeed, then. my dear Maurice, the husband should thank you for the wrong you do the friend?" T have not the presumption to imagine for a moment that my presence in your house can be dangerous to your repose." "Ab- surd." Absurd as you please, but let us live as good friends"
 Well. said Dixmer, since we are in the mood for confession, pray tell me what the secret was that you hinted at in your letter? Is it that of the snug gling?" My dear Dixmer, I had entirely forgotten that" Then your only reason for abandoning the house is-that you have stated to me, your regard for the repu- tation of my wfe?" Exactly" 'Non- sense; l appreciate your delicacy. but, my dear Maurice, come back to us. My wifes honor is above suspicion" Tt is.' well come then, let us be as we were before" Never until Mime. Dixmer asks me to come again. Well, we shall see. We are friends, are we not, and we shall see you again?" The next morning Mau- rise got note from Genevieve asking him to call at the Dixmer house as usual.
 The old relations between Maurice and the Dixmers were re-established, with this whenever Maurice called and was shown into the boudoir of Gene vieve there was always with her a new servant, maid who, silent and respect fuI. sat at one side and sedulously en- gagged in needlework. Heloise. Genevieve called her. At meals there were always. of course, Dixmer and Morand. Maurice could get no opportunity of seeing Gen evieve alone. He chafed at this constant and apparently deliberately planned con dition of affairs.
 The battalion of which Dixmer was an officer and of which Morand was a mem Der went on guard at the Temple at the designated time, and all suspicion of their loyalty to the cause of 'the people" was removed Captain Dixmer," said Santerre when the master tanner with his company appeared for duty at the royal prison, take your company and occupy the gar- den" Come, Morand," said the captain to one of his young chasseurs. The drumg sounded and the company, led by Dixner filed off as directed In the garden they stacked their arms and d. vided about into gossping groups.
 Their place of garrison was that same garden in which, in the days Of his grandeur, Louis XVI, and the royal fam fly came sometimes to take the air. Now 1t was barren. naked and desolate. de- spoiled of trees and flowers. A little cabin of pine blanks had been erected at one side and in it the widow Plumeau kept a little cabaret that the soldiers on duty might refresh themselves with wine and bread and cheese. Dixmer and Mo- rand strolled to the cabaret. Erie cheese and Samur wine," ordered Dixmer
 What, no Brie cheese?" He had care- fully looked about to see that this was wanting. Well, my good woman, run and get us some from the house of the citizen concierge. I am sure she has some" Eager to please her guests, the widow did as directed, and as she was gong out of the door Dixmer said; 'In the meantime we will go down into your wIne vaults and select our wine
 The two conspirators descended through trap door and found themselves in chaiky caves which ran beyond the walls of the Temple under the neighborlng