Middletown transcript., 1912-10-19

stances of the moment, when sharp
exclamation fell from the girls lips.
In front Of them, between the sol
diers and the entrance to that upper
part Of the Mount, many dark forms
had suddenly darted forth; at the
same time from nearby houses came
unmistakable sounds Of life and ac-
tivity; doors were thrown open and
windows raised. The town they thought
asleep had merely been watching; now
showed its bright eyes in multitude
Of menacing lights around them; be-
low, where likewise mysterious mar
shaling had occurred, from alleys, cor
ners, and novels, Immediately after
the passing Of the Governors party!
''What does it mean" Again she
heard the Marquis tones, less conf
dent now, as he turned to the COM
mandant.
"Treachery!" The commandments
voice rang out. They've broken faith
with us!"
'Dogs!" Ny lord gazed uncertainty
ahead; obviously behind. What are
we going to do?"
"Do?" The commandant suppressed
an imprecation. "Push on to the up
per gates!"
''To the gates!" cried the Marquis;
then wheeled quickly. "But you
,EliseI"
Never mind mel" she returned,
with steady lips and eyes.
There was no time for further
words; sharp order from the COM
mandant and the troopers spurred for
ward toward the entrance in the wall
and those whose purpose it was to
oppose them.
What happened thereafter the girl
was but vaguely cognizant Of; reports
OF guns, flashing Of steel surrounded
her; the Gathering Of hoofs mingled
with the loud shouts Of men.
"The Bastile Of the North! Down
with it!"
This was their battle-cry; on every
side she heard it, though hardly real
izing the purport Of the words; con-
fused, she listened to her fathers name
her own-bandied about She won
.dered why those on the wall, the sol
diers within, did not fire and repel all
these people.
Then almost at once came the an
swer. The troopers comrades were
mixed in the melee without; she and
they, too-so adroitly had the moment
for striking been planned-might be
roT7+ ~ -
,ramparts. A cannon doomed above;
but its deafening reverberations were
answered only with laughter and jeers
Mon dieu! Did his Excellency
think to frighten them with sound, as
II they were timid children fleeing
from thunder? Was his Excellency
aiming at stars?"
And again that cry: "The Bastile Of
the North! We, too, will take our
lBastile! !"-dominated the clashing Of
arms and the tumult of strife.
For what seemed an interminable
period, the Governors daughter saw,
Through flashes Of light, men strug-
CLING, striking; then launched sudden
lly forward, by an irresistible move
iment of the horses, found herself with
in the gates. The Marquis who had
early been separated from her in the
strife, was nowhere in sight. Behind
now sounded the fray; short dis
tance from the wall, and she looked
back; fiercer than ever, soldiers and
people contended within the entrance;
beneath the portals. AS she stroVe to
RESTRAIN her horse she heard the voice
of her father.
Mon pere! Mon PEREZ" she cried
eagerly, divining his face in the light
Of lamps on that side Of the wall. He
answered only with laconic command
to go at once to the palace; and, re-
garding his features, tragically appeal
ing to her at the moment-so strange
and different they seemed!-she pre-
pared to obey. But ere turning: "You
think the soldiers can hold the gate?"
she asked.
"Yes; yes!" he replied sharply, as
IL annoyed at the question.
"But If"
There is no if'i" said the Cover.
nor, and as the girl rode away, his
look, hard, steely, shifting to the sol.
,diers, made quick mental note; they
were holding the gates. Satisfied with
the front his men presented, and, de-
iivering a few brief orders to the
commandant whose yalor in rallying
his forces had been commendable, his
Excellency waIkod toward the great
stairway leading up to the open space
near thesehurch. Arrived at this high
e-sey. zs4....
point from which the town unfolded
itself in the starlight and flicker Of
lamps, he sought, as best he might,
to acquaint himself further with the
situation; to judge the numbers Of the
assailants and the extent Of their prep
arations.
The scene that met his eyes was not
so reassuring as he had expected; that
which until now he had considered but
a spasmodic outbreak Of a compare
lively few townspeople, excited by the
news Of the Bastile and bent on any
petty mischief, resolved itself into
more than an orderless, desultory up
rising. To his startled gaze the rock,
like an ant-hiIl disturbed, seemed
swarming with life. Even as he peered
down, new relays Of men poured up
ward from the dark byways to the re-
inforcement Of those already gathered