The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-04-26

- 49, AA~S SAS~ANNA/ 0hA ~ ~ I00 NV
been for me you would never have seen
him again alive. was powerless to save
| his life, but at least I can lay claim to
having prolonged it. Now, will you still
turn away as if you could not bear to
| look at me?"
"You were my brothers enemy-per-
thought" She spoke in hard, choked
voice.
"Mademoiselle. was his friend
"How could you-a Prussian -be my
brothers friend?" She turned upon
him in anger; more with herself-for in
spite of the fact that this man was a foe
hated with a cherished hatred, the same
curious influence affected her as in the
cathedral. When she looked at that
fine face with the frank, large eyes, and
the bronzed, aquiline features, she was
attracted, pleased, soothed.
"Why did you not tell me this, then,
before?'
eff you remember, mademoiselle, 1
tried to speak to you, but you would not
hear me-"
THAT was not the way, that was rot
the time"
''There take leave to differ from you.
was determined that no one should
hear the story of Alphonse's death blow,
except you, from my lips"
"Why?"
Because, mademoiselle, loved you ="
He spoke with passionate earnestness
She blushel violently.
How could you do that, monsieur,
when you had never seen lne?"
IF 1 tell you all, will you listen?
Mademoiselle, Alphouse and I were
friends in Paris, just before the war be-
gan. He was there, as you know, with
his regiment to enjoy myself during
my leave. How little We knew, when
We used to talk OF you, of the yawning
gulf-the battlefeld-that would shortly
divide u.s."
"He spoke to you of me?" The tears
welled into her eyes.
He drew little velvet case from his
breast. reverently kissed it, and held it
toward her. Perhaps you recognize
this?"
my portrait! The one I gave AL
phonse." She was agitated. Did he
give il you? But no; how could he?"
when I carried him into the tent
after the fatal moment, he opened his
eyes, recognized me, and feebly feeling
in his breast, drew out this, gave it me,
and said one word-'Marie!' 1t was his
last effort" added the young man, with
emotion, "before he fell into that un.
conscious state from which he never re-
covered. understood that he wished
me to place this in your hands,"
"And-your name-was the last he
said. What did he mean? Oh" ex-
claimed the young girl, covering her face
with her hands.
HE knew how much tn ought of you
how l cared for him how l had loved
your portrait, mademoiselle. He was
pleased, he would read me your letters
those sweet, innocent, girlish letters;
he would have introduced me to you /;
but then came the fatal news-the decla-
ration of war Private friends became
public foes"
"Does my father know this?" MUIR
INJURED Marie, behind the screen of her
hands.
mo. He knew Alphonse was my
friend. And he gave me permission to
see you alone. Oh, Marie listen to me.
have thought of you, felt for you, fol-
lowed at distance, watching over you
80 long! knew my only chance was to
see you and plead my own ::cause. A
just one," he added almost haughtily.
IF these arms are not worthy to hold
you-then may they be withered, par
alyzed. as stand here"
Give me q minute to think" muir
INJURED Marie, sinking into q chair and
resting her head YEARLY against the
back. "Can you not wait-come again?"
"No, mademoiselle." The answer was
sudden, fierce, like a shot. Il will
either leave you at once, or remain"
There was silence. Marie, in miser-
able perplexity-bound to her preju-
dices, yet her beating heart, her inclina-
ton, belyIng them-tried to think. She
thought Of Alphonse. Once moro she
heard the feeble utterance-"Karl Eich-
mann" Her father, had he not actually
sent him hers? Them Prussian-that
hated uniform! The more she reflected
the more uncertain she grew.
| Suddenly she sprang up. Decision
was in her rallying color, her sparkling
| eyes, her whole demeanor.
ut is all over" thought the brave
young soldier His heart seemed to
sink within him; he trembled like girl !;
he turned to go; his head sank upon his
| breast.
The hand bell rang shrilly-once,
twice.
Before the second peal was fairly over
the doors of the boudoir opened alb
ruptly, the portieres we're pushed aside,
and two scared, anxious faces looked in.
the abbes quaint, ugly face above that