The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-03-02
Emile Laroque
BY MARGARET c. DEvHREAUx

DurlnB tne frencn reVCiuuOn y00u0
girl who lived in the neighborhood e
the concIergerie prison while looking
out through window saw commo-
ton down the street Then q fugitive
appeared, fleeing for his life, persons
getting out of the way before him.
Several blocks in his rear gendarmes
appeared, evidently following him. In
a few moments the man was passing
the window. On his face was the wild
look Of one who knew that IL caught
he must die. If only he could elude his
pursuers! Seeing the girl at the win
dow, he gave her look of agOnized.
appeal.
Come in," she said.
The girl withdrew from the window.
which was but few feet above tho
sidewalk, 80 as to give him egress, and
he passed headforemost through the
opening and landed. exhausted, ON the
door. The girl pulled down the sash
and the shade, and both waited with
bated breath to know II the fugitive
had been seen to enter the house and
who would give him away. In few
minutes there were sounds without Of
persons running. These died away. and
there was quiet again.
The man arose and stood on HI
feet, he and the girl looking upon each
other intently. He was about eighteea
years Of age, and his clothes, though
worn, were those of gentleman.
Il am not safe." he said. They win
very shortly realize that they have lost
me and win search every house in the
neighborhood."
Two other women were coming down.
stairs-Mme. Laroque and her elder
daughter. Louise. Emile hurfiediy
told the others what had happened.
"Oh. heavensv' exclaimed her mothee.
what have you done? II he is caught
here we will all be dragged to the gull
lotine."
HE will not be caught here" said
Emile. I'm going to dress him up
for a girl"
"who are your asked Mime. La
rogue.
"The Count de Turrinne. I would
rather die than endanger you. win
leave You at once"
mo, you WON'T" said the plucky Em-
flie. make haste; there's no time b
lose"
She pushed him up the staircase.
and putting him into a room went to
a closet and began to throw womea'A
clothing on to the door before him
Divesting himself Of his coat and
waistcoat he threw them into a corner
and picking up dress put it on, Emf
| lie adding what adornment he re-
quired. His hair would surely have
| given him away, but fortunately at
that time women wore white caps
something like what they now wear
while bathing, and the girl. taking or
hers. put it on the counts head.
Emile, after hiding the coat and
waistcoat, went to the window and
looked out She saw gendarmes on
the opposite side of the street before Q
house and knew that others were max
ing q search within. The count was
right - the neighborhood was being
searched.
There is nothing for you to do but
walt" she said to the fugitive. ''hut
there is yet time to make You look
more like girl. His hair was WON
long for a man after the custom oi
that day, and she pulled some Of the
locks from under the cap, and produc.
ing curling irons spent the time fris'
xing his hair until there came an enor'
nous rap at the door.
"Courager' she exclaimed, pressing
his hand "On your coolness depends
your life"
'The ladies' below will betray me. =
said the count
"No, they won't; their safety Is
linked with yours. IT you fOcl your
followers no harm viii come to u.s. II
not, we will all be in prison within IN
other hour"
When the door was opened the two
were ready to descend the staircase.
Seeing gendarmes, Emile looked sur
prised, and the count endeavOred ia
do SO.
I'VE are looking TO: an escaped pris-
oner. the Count de Turrinne He r
concealed in some house in this neigh
bOrhood."
II assure you." mOaned Nine. La
rogue, there is no such person here"
"But. mamma" interposed Emile
"the citizens are welcome to search tn
house We. who are advocates OF tn
revolution. have no wish to prevent III
police from hunting down the miseRa
BILE aristocrats wherever they are to b
found"
The words and especially the tone u
which they were spoken did more b
throw the gendarmes off the scent thai
anything that could have been done
The house was searched, but perfume
, torily. and the searchers went ava!
satisfied that these good citi1eAl
would not harbOr an aristocrat Whel
they had gone the count sank on on
knee before Emile and. having ktsoel