The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1877-01-11

grOomSmen IN the GangeS. linen, at
night Ill, with a trusty guide, l mount
ed swift mare, and like,a carrier-pigeon
flew over the desert toward my soldiers
camp. The breath of the desert was
warm, but not SO warm as the breath
of my longing. The stars overhead
were bright, but not SO bright as my
hopes. The mare that | rode was swift
as the wind, but slow to the pace OF my
desire. | arrived at the camp. 1t IS
midnight. pass the bribed sentries
ike lifting ghost. / come to the tent
Of him love. | fling down at the Ell
trance the coarse VIII te balac in which
had wrapped myself, and, in all the
splendor OF my jewels and muslins,
with a blush mounting to my hair, and
heart beating itself like wild bird
Gagged, pass swiftly in to where he lies
sleeping. He lies sleeping-dreaming.
[ come to his side. l kneel there, and
seek to melt myself into the texture of
his dream. | drop soft kisses on his
hand | bend over him and touch his
lips with a fairy lip-touch. Still dream
ing, he clasps an arm about me tightly,
tightly, and whispers, Annette, An
nette!' tore myself loose, M&leval,
and fled into the desert. But for my
guide l had been lost. Would | had!
Maleval, you ask why | had flung the
net over Leon she let her hand fall
softly on mine and turned her gaze full
on me-" to draw you to me, Maleval!"
Morbleu' 1t was lies, every syllable
but what an actress she was! At As
fool is fool all over-eh 6ien! We
made an excursion to Brussels, Nine.
Preville and ], and from there we con-
| Guided to go to Dresden.
l found two persons waiting for me
when | got back to camp. One was
old Preville. Monsieur" said, Z" |
am at your service. ANY satisfaction
you think tit to- The wretched old
fellow twaddled his thumbs hesitating-
ly. "She seems to like you, mon Col
onel; if it would suit you to take Nine
Preville off my hands, am scarcely
equal to- think the matter could be
Satisfactorily "Never in the world,
M. Preville; but, if you think your
honor demands shot, will give you
a target, and fire--in the air." 81 can
not say must ask madame" said old
Preville, departing greatly detected.
The other person was Capt. Regnault.
He bore challenge to me from Leon
Pitou. 81 told you how it would be, ~
said he, in grave voice. ''But this is
absurd, Regnault. There is no cause
if there were, L still could not fight my
own child" "He will force you to it.
He is desperate. She has writ
ten to him, demanding of him to
punish you for virtually abducting
her. She swears you made her flee by
threats OF terrible exposure, etc., etc
He is half frantic. You will have to
fight him." 81 swear | will not.
Where is Leon? Morbleul can make
it right with him in ten seconds ~
"You decline his challenger" eyes -
every well, then, prepare yourself for
something desperate on his part"
The next morning, at dress-parade,
Leon Pitou came towards me, and, in
the presence of the whole battalion,
struck me blow between the eyes with
his clenched fist, knocking me down
When l rose he kicked me, and strobe
away. Morbleu! Regnault was right
There was no help for it now, and Lee
on, who had choice of weapons, fixed
on sabers, with which | confessedlv had
no match. We met at gray dawn the
next morning. Leon was furious, and
attacked furiously. 1 was determined
not to hurt my boy, and contented my
sci with cool defense against which
he dashed in vain for half an hour. The
sense of exhaustion, the feeling that |
would not fight him, drove the poor lad
frantic. "Leon,' whispered, "hear
reason!" "Col. Maleval," he scream
ed, "your whole treatment of me is an
insult-an iniquity-an outraged s'My
son, am older than you'll love you'll
-" Vous etes an lache!" he yelled, dash
ing on me again. | disarmed him, and
whirled his saber ten yards away on
the sward. The poor, unhappy, mis-
guided lad, crazed with impotent rage,
darted upon his weapon, turned look
Of indescribable Vindictiveness on me,
and instantly fell upon his saber, driv-
ing it hilt-deep through his breast.
"You have killed me, thought he
said, and died.
At this moment carriage with a
pair of horses, that had stood at a dis
lance to watch the combat, drove clat-
tering by, and a shrill laugh sounded
in my ears. 1t was the laugh of the
Tiger-Lily, rejoicing in her work.
dashed my saber down and pursued the
carriage. / tore the driver from his
seat, seized the reins, whipped the
horses up to full speed, and drove the
shrieking woman like whirlwind to.
ward the steep bank of the Marine. She
screamed frightfully, but dare not
spring out The seconds pursued us,
but in vain. On, on-the horses plung,
ed back. but | forced them on and over