Smyrna times., 1912-06-12

there were beheaded King Louis XVI.
his queen, Marie AntOinette, and more
than $500 others of lesser rank, from
princes of the blood down to the most
ordinary citizen"
Mrs Barkendale shuddered and
slipped a hand into her husbands
arm.
81 sometimes pass this place late at
night" continued the accommodating
stranger ''and now and again have
seen some one contemplating this spot
where stood the guillOtine with pro
found emotion. Either such persons
have been strangers who have for years
read about those stirring times or de-
scendants of some person or persons
who were executed there. | once saw
an old man looking at the spot. the |
tears rolling down his eyes. l asked |
him why he was so moved, and he said |
| that his grandmOther-whOse portrait, i
a beautiful girl Of twenty. hung in his
! house-was executed there"
'T never thought of that" said Mr.
Barkendale. Il see people passing and
repassing here entirely unmoved by
these memories, and had you not men
toned it would not have supposed any
living person to be touched by them.
You, sir, seem to be an exception"
st? moved by them? l assure
you. sir have no feeling whatever
concerning those who have so long
passed away"
Mrs. Barkendale, who had become
quite interested in the strangers ex-
periences, at this invOluntarily shud-
dered again. She could not understand
how any one could be unmoved by
them. even though they occurred a
century ago
There are many stories" continued
the stranger, concerning this spot. No
place in the world has contributed so
many themes. especially for tragedies.
Every time the ak fell some person or
persons were filled with mingled grief
and horror. 1t was the climax of many
Of life's dramas. The most eminent
was the royal tragedy in which first
father was torn from his wife and
children to be executed. then the moth
er torn from those who remained
Mrs. Barkendale pulled at her hus-
. bands arm The subject was fasci-
= mating. but grewsOme.
81 think said the husband that we
s will go and get a little lunch. Would
}, you honor us by taking a bite with
!. us?"
2 The invitation was given with the
4 expectation that the stranger would
= understand it to be a courteous ex-
= change for his civility. Mr.. Barken-
dale was surprised at its acceptance.
The three walked to a cafe on a
> boulevard not far distant and. sitting
: down at a table. ordered the French
L breakfast with fork, or dejeuner Ia
IL forchette. The stranger spoke no
}, more of the horrors which had so af-
fected Mrs Barkendale. but which
IS troubled him not in the slightest.
/ Nevertheless he made himself extreme
! " interesting in telling the strangers
about curiosities to be seen in the cap
2 ital. Mr.. Barkendale seemed greatly
" interested in what he said and gath
cred a good deal Of information as t.
% 1e ways of reaching different objects o.
interest. especially those in the en-
on virons But there was something
II about the man that produced yer!
,S antagonistic effect on the lady. Sh
re was greatly relieved when the mea
Ig, was finished and they were prepaT
es ing for their departure
Mr.. Barkendale thanked the strange
again for his kindness and. taking ou
a cardcase, handed him his card.
81 haven't a card with me-" reptile
the man. II never. carry cards.
you can spare an extra one OF yours
- will write my name on it for you"
Barkendale handed him one Of hi
cards. The man wrote his name on
and handed it back. but Mrs. Barker
dale was so eager to get away frol
W the man that her husband put 1t In h
II pocket without looking at it. Whe
J the lady reached the sidewalk and ha
j, parted company with their guide 81
.es said she felt rs if she had been in
his, prison waiting for some one to drs
'1th her to the guillotine.
pen Tha+ evening while Mr.. Barkenda
,nly mat evenlns "nnI .,.,ato, aDtrarre
thought Of the card. Taking it out
Del his pocket. he read the stranger
name-M. de Paris.
Handing it to the proprietor, he as
III ed him who was M, de Paris. T
proprietor looked at him curiously a.
- said:
IN. de Paris is the executoner."