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

what have 1 done?" exclaimed the poor
little able, wrnging his hands. IL
can assure you, mademoiselle--myg good
child, had no idea-how was to i'm
agine-"
"You have done nothing" said Marie,
solemnly, opening her eyes. How could
you know? Mon pere--that name was
said to me-by my dear brother-the
moment before-he died"
An instant's silence. Then the able
murmured: "This is indeed mystery"
ga most horrible mystery" sobbed
Mile. Archaim bault. 1T is the worst
day of my life."
Compose yourself, my chil1," said
the able. hastily. A servant entered
and presented card to Marie on u gilt
salver.
sit is Herr Earl Eichmann," said the
young girl. ASK Herr Eichmann into
the ante room, she said calmly to the
servant; land whes ring the bell bring
him in"
The footman bowed and retired.
"You, my aunt, and you, mon pere,
had better await us there" pointing to
An adjoining room ,"and when you hear
me ring this bell twice you will come to
me-"
'She is right" said the able, consol.
ingly, Offering his arm to Mile. Archaim
bault. And feeling half stunned, he
hardly knew why, he led the trembling,
weeping woman into the adjoining bou-
doir.
After Marie had carefully closed the
big doors upon them, and had arranged
a trn oh Wiz off NJ
to compose herself for the coming inter-
view. "Mon Dieu! what can it mean?"
she first said, wildly, pushing back her
hair from her burning forehead. How
we'll she remembered the events of that
awful day, when her twin brother-al-
most one with herself-her beloved
Alphonse-died! He had been brought
home to them, dying slowly of some in
jury to the spine, shortly after the capitu-
lation, and they had endured the slow
agony of watching him lie insensible day
after day, hour after hour. The cruel
time when Strasburg lay fettered, the
enemys strong foot upon her neck,
dearer than ever to her children in her
slavery! Each luan, woman and child
seemed to bear one link of her heavy
chain around their hearts like crown of
thorns, while they silently scorned and
stunned their conquerors, and caressed
their lost nationailty,,in secret. In mourn
ing garb they thronged the churches,
creeping thither through streets where
they would be less offended by the sight
of those "accursed Prussians." And
while the market-place was gay, the
restaurants full of bright uniforms, the
military bands clashing out the latest
German waltzes and quick marches, not
one citizen of Strasburg could be seen
there. They were abasing themselves
before the affairs, and the little chapel of
Our Lady of Sorrows in the cathedral
was full of sad kneeling figures from
early morning till late night. Here
when the doctor told them Alphonse's
life was now an affair of hours. 1t was
evening; while the Pickering of the
many votive tapers played upon the sad
beautiful face of the Mater Dolorosa in
the great picture above her altar, casting
strange new expressions across the
panied features, the kneeling crowd were
in shadow. Marie could family dis
tinguish the outline of the Pieta in the
corner of the chapel-the great image OF
Mary with the dead Christ in her lap.
She wept and prayed; and was rising to
return to her watch beside the death
bed, when she saw face gazing in upon
her through an aperture in the screen
that divided the chapel from the cathe-
dral nave. A mans face soft and tender
the eyes fixed upon her with such pity,
such deep. yearning love, that instinct
lively she moved step forward. Then
she remembered, recoiled, and the face
vanished. Was it q comforting vision?
Some strange influence had passed into
her soul; promise of consolation.
Gained, wondering, she went through
the darkness and out into the moonlight,
unaware of o quick step that followed,
till, the door shut behind her, q voice
said, ploadingly, "Mademoiselle!'
She started-turned. Heavens! she
was face to face with tall officer; the
moonlight cleaned on the silver facings
of his light blue uniform.
Monsieur she cried. with passion
ate anger. Then. drawing herself up,
she flashed one glance OF hatred upon
him and fed.
That night Alphonse opened his eyes;
he was conscious, he smiled upon them.
Bending over him, she heard him say
those two words, karl Eichmann,'
then he sighed. and his spirit went.
All these things came back to her as
she stood irresolute, looking at the card
inscribed with that name. At last she
nerved herself and rang the bell.
~Herr Karl Eichmann." Quick foot
steps crossed the floor, spurs clanked.
N toll {; our "a woa Aharo Sha atood her