The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1883-04-14

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 altars, 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
Marie came here she fed in her anguish.
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 Ian.
She wept and prayed; and was rising to
return to her watch beside the death
ped, 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
ively she moved step forward. Then
she remembered, recoiled, and the face
vanished. Was 1t a 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 q quick step that followed.
till, the door shut behind her, voice
said, ploadingly, ''Mademoiseller'
She started-turned. Heavens! she
was face to face with a 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.
'sHerr Karl Eichmann. Quick foot
steps crossed the floor, spurs clanked.
a tall figure was there. She stood. her
eyes fixed on the floor.
'tMadmoiseller
''Ah" A shiver, a shudderine sigh:
all color left Marie's cheeks; her lips
trembled. This was the man in the pale
blue uniform, and his face was the face
she saw that night in the cathedral.
Bewildered, she shrank back and stam-
mered:
s'Sir, there is some mistake. I ex-
pected Herr Lieutenant Karl Eichmann.
He smiled. His large blue eyes looked
benlgnant. though his huge mustache
lent terceness to his face.
II am he" he said.
4ou-but you-you spoke to me
and my brother
"Did your brother tell you about me?"
he eagerly asked.
Monsieur, my brother is dead; but
ne once spoke that name to me-"
"Then you do not know that it was T
that saw itAah! let me tell you, made
moiselle,' he 6gied, for Marie turned
away; the sight of that hated uniform.
the recollectiaH=of that night sickened
her. "Hear me! It was I that. fight
ing near your brother, saw the fragments
of shell strike his horse-saw it
rear and throw him. These arms lifted
him and carried him from the field. Yes.
mademoiselle, his head rested here" The
struck his shoulder); "and if it had not
been for me you would never have seen
him again alive. was powerless to save
his life, but at least / 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-
haps-even-ah! ! cannot bear the
thought. She spoke in a hard, choked
voice.
'Mademoiselle. I was his friend
"How could you-a Prussian-be nv
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 cherished hatred, the same
curious influence affected her as in the |
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?'
''If you remember. mademoiselle, I |
hear me-
THAT was not the way, that was not
the time.
There take leave to differ from you. |
l was determined that no one should /
hear the story of Alphonse's death blow,
except You, from my lips"
tWhy?"
Because, mademoiselle. loved you"
He spoke with passionate earnestnoss
She blushed violently.
How could you do that, monsieur,
when you had never seen ne?"
If [ tell you all, will you listen?
Mademoiselle, Alphonse 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-thatw would shortly
divide u.s.
He spoke to you of me?" The tears
yelled into her eyes.
He drew little velvet case from his
breast, reyerently kissed it, and held it
oward her. Perhaps you recognize
MY Portrait The one gave AL.
'honse." She was agitated. ssDid he
ave IL you? But no; how could hep
when / carried him into the tent
fter the fatal moment, he opened his
yes, recognized me, and fesbly feeling
MS breast, drew out this, gave it NE,
nd said one word Marier It was his
asst effort" added the young man, with
motion, "before he fell into that un-
-