The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-05-27

would alone exact for the murder of the colo
mel
They would not burn down the village, as
would have been but Just, nor would they put
the inhabitants to the sword, richly as they
deserved it, but they would be satisfied with
the lives of three men out of those now as
sembled In the church, who must be executed
instantly, before the troops resumed their
conquering march through France-not an
hours delay could be accorded. The officer
added that the choice of the victims might be
made by lot, among themselves, but it must
be done then and there without loss of time.
AS he concluded, he held up bis watch before
them.
''ln ten minutes" he said, ''your choice
must be made; if you delay longer than that,
1 choose for myself, and shall take the first
three on whom happen to lay my hands, and
have them shot at once"
1t was but too plain there was no appeal.
and that it would be only wasting the precious
moments to attempt it. Lepelletier, with some
of the older men, began in silence, and with
trembling hands, to prepare the lots with the
three fatal numbers, which would be drawn
by the men on whom the doom of death
should fall.
But suddenly, there was a movement in
the crowd, and young man came forward
with light, active step, and, laying his
hand on Lepelletiers arm, to prevent him
continuing his dreadful task, he made sign
that he wished to speak. There was silence
over the whole church in an instant, and all
eyes were turned on Evariste Rossel. Fa-
miliar as his features were to most of them
they looked on him now as though they had
never seen him before, so completely was his
thoughtful face transfgured by the pure he
rolc resolution that shone in his soft eyes
and thrilled in his clear young voice, as he
spoke, with the utmost simplicity, words
death-laden to himself.
"NeS dnliS, he said, and every individual
in the sad assembly heard him distinctly, ''if
we cast lots for the victims of the enemy it
may be that the doom will fall on fathers of
families who would leave widows and orphans
to mourn them not only in sorrow, but in
poverty and destitution. 1t is not well, there
fore, that such as they are should be taken
from the homes they support and protect,
while there are others who have not, as yet at
least, formed ties so close and binding. OF
these am one-my mother has other sons
my tiGncee will find many worthier man to
seek her love, and 1 offer myself freely to
die that the husbands and fathers may be
spared. / am sure that there are others, stu
ated as am, who will no less willingly give
their lives to make up the number"
Evariste carefully avoided looking at Jules
and Martel as he spoke, for he would not
seem to summon them, but they needed no
other call save his bright example. Instantly
they started forward and ranged themselves
at his side.
"We, too, give ourselves freely to the
death, they exclaimed; ''the number is COM
plete."
Lepelletier had been on the point of re-
monstrating with Evariste, because he could
not bear the thought of that young life
quenched in blood; but when he saw that
Martel, his own son, was among the offered
victims, the words died on his lips, and he
turne d his face to the wall, groaning in un-
speakable anguish. He felt, Brutus-like, he
could not ask that father of family should
die to spare his own unwedded son. No time
was given him, however, to struggle with his
heart. The Prussian officer held up his
watch, exclaiming that the ten minutes were
expired-he must have three men instantly
for execution.
I'VE are here, we are ready" said the
three friends, coming forward with firm step
and dauntless look
Zone moment only" exclaimed Evariste,
and taking his two companions by the hand,
he drew them down on their knees before the
cure, saying, ''Father, absolve us; bless us in
this supreme moment"
The good man, appalled, and bewildered,
turned towards them his eyes streaming with
tears. He seemed too much overwhelmed to
know almost what he was doing but, upheld
by the habit of priestly functions, he muir
INJURED the form of absolution, made the sign
of the cross, and blessed them in the three
fold name of Him before whom they were
about to appear.
They thanked him, adding, ''Adieu, mon
peTe, and rose from their knees Instantly
the Uhlans surrounded them, bound their
hands, and hurried them to the door. One
moment those gathered in the church saw
hair chol h. LII
passed out into the dazzling sunshine, and
the next instant they were gone, to be seen
of men no more forever. Then, with a
impulse, the whole assembly
fell upon their knees, and as the cure, turn
ing to the altar, intoned the "De Profundis,"
the wailing voices joined in the fuuereal
chant with one deep, heart-wrung cry that
rose In mournful appeal to the listening
heaven.
Meanwhile, across the sunlit church-yard
the doomed men were hurried by their execu-
toners; but their terrible march had mo-
mentary interruption. Suddenly, from be-
meath the spreading branches of the tree
which the victims knew so we'll, the graceful
figure of young girl bounded forth, as if
her feet were winged; and Leonie, fiinging
herself on the breast of her fance exclaimed,
in tone of horror, "E0ariste, que, cation
fdiTe de tOi?"
'Adiea, mon Gnge !" was his only answer
but the instinct of her womans heart told
her all the dreadful truth. She flung up her
hands with bitter cry, and, as his bound
arms could not hold her, she sunk at his feet
as if she had herself already sustained the
death blow he was about to meet Vevette
who had followed her, was clinging to Martel,
uttering shrek on shrek.
''Remove these women," exclaimed the
commanding officer, with angry impatience,
and the soldiers instantly tore Vevette from