The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-17

Promise me solemnly that nothing shall influence you to alter this course"
 Nothing, Cartont, said MT. LOFTY. wondering.
 Here is her fathers passport" said Carton, made out for himself her and I1he child. You have your own. Here is mine-Sydney Carton, Englishman. Keep it for me till I come"
 He said good bye" with a grave smile of earnestness and walked away For a moment he paused on the street, looking up at the window of her room.
 Then he sought the turnkey, and spoke to him long and secretly. The man stared at him, amazed. You seei' said Carton, If l denounee you,e it will be the axe. Do this for me, and your haz- ard Is nothing''
 My hazard is nothing.' said the turn key, if you are true to the whole of your bargain"
 Don't fear me-" answered Carton. T will be true.''
 A key was turned in the door of Eyre monde's cell. The condemned man turned and saw the face, quiet intent, lit with a smile, of Sydney Carton They pressed each others hands, Then swiftly, with a strength of will and ac- tion that carried the prisoner quite away and made him obey heplessly, Carton pushed Evremonde to the table and made him write. Write what I shall dictate.9 he commanded. Quick friend, quiekls
 Putting his hand to his bewildered head the prisoner took up his pen. Carton, with his right hand in his breast, stood close beside him.
 If you remember'' dictated he, .thc words that passed between us long ago. you will comprehend this when yolt see I it. sYou do remember them, l know.
 He was drawing his hand from his | breast. The prisoner chanced to look up. Cartons hand stopped. closing on some- thing.
 "Is that a weapon in your hand?" asked Evremonde.
 | "No Write on. I am thankful that the | time has come when I can prove them. That I do so is no subject for regret or grief. !"
 As he said these words, with his eyes | on EYremonde, his hand moved swiftly and slowly to the prisoners face The pen dropped from his hand. and he looked | about him vacantly. What vapor is that? he asked
 Take up the pen and finish." said Car ton Hurry! Hurryis
 Again his hand stole softly and wateh- fully down. He dictated few more words, his land was at the prisoners face, and the pen trailed off into unin- tellgible, signs.
 Cartons hand stayed at Evremondes nostrils. The prisoner sprang up with a | reproachful look, but the hand was firm
 
 stretched senseless on the ground.
 With desperate swiftness, yet with hands true and steady, losing not a sec ond, Carton exchanged clothes with Ev- remonde even to the hair ribbons Then he called softly: Enter there. Come in" | The spy presented himself | You see?" said Carton. Now get me --hinl--to the coach. l was weak and l faint when you brought me in. The parting interview has overpowerod me. l Your life is in your own hands! Quick, | Call assistance! Take him yourself to MT. Lorry, tell him yourself to give him no restorative but air and to remember my words of last night, and his promise | of last night. and to drive awayr'
 "So afflicted to find that his friend has | drawn a prize in the lottery of Sainte Gullontine?" said one of the men with whom the spy returned. They picked up the unconscious figure and carried it away.
 Left alone, Carton listened with beat ing heart for any sound that might da- note suspicion or discovery. None came. But presently there came sounds thar he did not fear, for he knew what thcx meant. Cell doors were being opened in succession. and finally his own. and l9 keeper looked in and ordered him to follow.
 He was led into a large. dark room, darkened still more by the dark win
 
 close. There were many figures in tte shadows, some pacing restlessly. soms weeping and some quite still. And ever and again the door opened and moro came in. Fiftytwo were to die that afternoon.
 Suddenly he was frightened with fear of discovery. young woman stepped up to him and said, Citizen Evremonde, I was with you in La Force. l heard you were released. I hoped it was true"
 Tt was" he answered. But l was taken again."
 If I should be put to ride with you, said she. will you let me hold your hand? It will give me more courage.i
 The patient eyes were lifted to his face, and he saw them widen with doubt, then astonishment. He pressed her cold fingers and touched his lips
 Are you dying for him?" she whis- pered.
 And his wife and children. Hush. Yesi"
 'oh. you will let me hold your brave | hand. stranger?'
 Hush, Yes, my poor sister. to the last"
 It is time The prisoners are bound and led to the tumbrils. There are six tumbrils In the late eSsnrnoon's ghostly light they roll toward sne plaee of execution.
 l IDe HOrSeMen abreast or the third tumbril often point out one man witli their swords. There is great curiosity to know which is he. He stands at th3 back of the tumbril with his sead bent down to converse witn yoalpt girl and has her hand in his.
 Here and there cries are raised against him. If they move him at all it is only to quiet smile, as he shakes his hair little more loosely about his face. He cannot easily touch it. his arms being tied in front of him. | The ministers of Sainte Guillotine ard robed and ready. The tumbrils dis charge their loads. In front, seated on chairs as in a garden of public diver sion, are many women. busily knitting. Crashl A head is held up, and the knitting women, who scarcely lifted | their eyes to look at 1t a moment aga | when it could think and speak. count one.
 The second tumbril empties and moves on; the third comes up. The one who Is supposed to be Evre- monde descends and the girl is lifted out after him. He places her gently with her back to the crashing engipe that constantly whirs up and falls, apI she thanks him, T think you were sent to me by heaven | "Or you to me-" says Sydney Carton. | Keep your eyes on me, and mind no | other object"
 q mind nothing while hold your hand. | I shall mind nothing when l let it go If they are rapid"
 'They will be rapid. Fear not!' | SThe two stand in the fast thinning