‘THERMIDOR, AN II.'

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 9, 27 February 1892, Page 200

‘THERMIDOR, AN II.'

BY MAY PF.OBYN. Blow of staff and musket on the sturdy door of oak — Lightly from the casement leaning, laughed she as in joke. ‘ Bring the priest, the traitor just escaped ns through thy door— Bring him We demand it by the sacred tricolor ! His surrender wait we here, a score of doughty men— In the name of the Republic, yield him, citoyenne I’ Blossom of the trellis, careless, she began to nip, From the casement leaning with her finger on her lip. ‘ My little children lie asleep—speak lower, citizens ! My husband’s at the market—this morning passed he henee. By the laws of the Republic, till he return I swear I will only open to yon at bidding of the Mayor. Only the Mayor can bid a wife unbar her husband’s door— Fetch him ! I demand it by the sacred tricolor ’.’ Gendarme on the left hand posted, gendarme on the right — All the house they ringed, no corner spared they ont of sight. Only the trellis roses about the casement creeping Saw why she prayed so long a prayer beside the children sleeping. Rap of staff municipal. Mayor and two-score men—- • In the name of the Republic, open, citoyenne !’ Lightly to the threshold stepping, peeped she as in jest. One hand on the bolt, one pinning rosebuds at her breast. • Search my house — and after, tell me where was my offence! But, lest my little children wake, tread softly, citizens.’

Tramped they, stamped they, hither, thither, up and down the stair— Smiling, at her glass, she stuck a red rose in her hair. * Where’s the priest, the spy, the traitor? All our score of men Marked him enter as they chased him. Yield him, citoyenne Idly, from the rose’s stem, a thorn she stayed to strip, And tendered them her keys with her finger on her lip. Back and forth, and there and here, on every side they stepped. All round and round again, where her little children slept. Storm of oaths municipal, rage of men and Mayor—- * The knave, the scoundrel—curse him ! —has found some safer lair.’ Leisurely on tip of toe she ushered them away. Little gay malicious courtesy dropped them as in play. Laughed to hear them rate and cuff the battled sentinel, Lightly from the lattice leaning, nodded them farewell. Only the trellis roses all round the casement meeting Could feel her fingers tremble and hear her heart’s loud beating. < July the roses watched her, behind the bolted door, Mattress and little children lift softly to the floor * The road is clear, good Father—God and the Saints thee keep! The rebels hence have wended -and still the children sleep.