Mexico Missouri message., 1913-10-02

] ara lfrcCOnClidOIe WIN inc ClFCuln'
stances Of the moment, when a 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 &C.
tivity; doors were thrown open and
windows raised. The town they thought
asleep had merely been watching; now
showed its bright eyes in a multitude
OF menacing lights around them: be.
low, where likewise a mysterious mar
shaling had occurred. from alleys, cor.
ners, and novels, Immediately after
the passing of the Governors party!
what does II mean7" Again she
heard the Marquis tones, less conf
dent now, as he turned to the com.
mandant.
"Treachery!" The commandant's
voice rang out They've broken faith
with usl"
"Dogs!" My 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!"
ITO the gates!" cried the MARQUIS:
then wheeled quickly. But you
Elise"
Never mind mel" she returned.
with steady lips and eyes.
There was no time for further
words; n 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 Northl Down
with III"
This was their battle-cry; on every
side she heard it, though hardly real.
izing the purport OF the words; con-
fused, she listened 70 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 adroltly had the moment
for striking been planned-might be
swept down in the volleys from the
ramparts. A cannon doomed above;
but Its deafenlng reverberations were
answered only with laughter and jeers
Mon Dleu! 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
! Bastile!"-dominated the clashing OF
arms and the tumult of strife.
: For what seemed an interminahle
period, the Governors daughter saw
through flashes of light. men strug.
! Cling, striking; then launched sudden.
, ly forward, by an irresistible move.
r ment of the horses, found herself with.
} In the gates. The Marquis who had
EdllJ pFtu ctBdl dltu lIOIl IuG
/ 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 pere!" 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 seemedi-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'!" said the Cover
nor, and as the girl rode away, his
lock. 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,
liyering a few brief orders to the
commandant whose valor in rallyine
his forces had been commendable, his
Excellency walked toward the great
stairway leading up to the open space
near the church. Arrived at this high
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
aTations.
The scene that met his eyes was not
90 reassuring as he had expected; that
which until now he had considered but
spasmodic outbreak OF a compare
! lively few townspeople, excited by the
news OF the Bsstile and bent on any
petty mischief. resolved itself into
Z more than an OrdarIesa daauItor,, ,,r