Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-12-20

them was Louis Lebas. The gay music
which they now heard melting family ii
the distance was that of the corps marching
away with the new recruits.
Jean Ddier sat alone at his supper, wait
ed upon by one Of his farm servants. He
was the richest young farmer of the little
valley of Bois, lying some league or so dis
tant from the village in which Marie and
her father resided.
He had loved Marie ever since, as chill
dren, they had first met; and she, knowing
his worth and touched by his devotion
might have been won, had not Louis Lebas
with his manly beauty and winning address
come into the little village to cut out his less
attractive rival.
Louis bore a good character, and was
brave, generous and warm-hearted, but, as
we have seen, of a hasty and jealous dispo-
sitiOn.
This had caused many a quarrel, not only
with Marie, but with Jean himself; in con-
sequence, much ill-Will existed between the
two men.
Jean, though hungry after his days busi,
ness, scarcely noticed what he ate. His
mind was full of other things.
The Prussians had crossed the Rhyme and
met the French, and as the latter were forced
back, the tide of war was sweeping steadily
westward. In a few days the enemy's ad-
vance might be upon the quiet village in
which dWelt Marie and her father.
Would they not be safer with him, Jean
thought, and on the instant came the resolve
to 90 to them next day and offer whatever
protection he could afford. But his meeting
with Marie was nearer than he thought
for while he still sat atsupper the door open
ed, and woman stood before him. He had
to look twice before he could recognize in
the pale, sad, WOe-WOrn cOuntenance the
features of the late gay and joyous Marie.
''Is it possible ?" he faltered in his sur
prise. "Can it indeed be you, Marie 2"
ooh, Jean, have you not heard? Do you
not know ?"
And then she proceeded in few broken
words, and with choking sobs, to tell her
sad story.
'The Prussians came to the village last
evening. MY father-oh, Jean-he went
with the few who were left to defend their
homes-he never returned. Lam an orphan
and homeless They burned every house.
Oh, my father-my poor father! Were he
but living, should not care"
Jean placed her gently in chair.
81 am going away" she said, when she
was more composed 81 am going to help
nurse the sick soldiers. 1t is all that can
now do"
"But Marie, you must not-you shall not
90. Oh, my child, this is not time to
speak of love, but you know how long and
truly have loved you. Come tome, Marie
be ray wife and find your home and protec-
tor here"
She shook her head as she sadly turned
from the extended hand.
"No, Jean, it cannot be. You do not
know how love Louis. Perhaps-Oh, per-
haps I shall yet find him. Will you be my
friend, Jean, and help me? l have no one
in the world to turn to but you"
What passed in Jean Didier's heart none
but himself could know. For a moment he
Stood looking down into the pale, lovely, ap-
pealing face, while his own became almost
as pale. Then he said, slowly and SOL
"Marie, will help you as though were
your brother. L will make your happiness
my chief care henceforth. Rely upon me
and be at rest"
BY day dawn the two were on their way
to Paris-Paris, around which were closing
the invincible ranks of the foe.
In the doomed city Louis Lebas had en-
dured the long siege. Careless Of life, reck-
less of danger, he had fought from the be-
ginning, and though through it all he receiv-
ed no wound, the pain at his heart for the
girl whom he thought false to him had been
harder to bear than any physical suffering.
This bitter memory had goaded him to a
fierce daring and recklessness which had
drawn many eyes upon him.
When Paris fell he was one of those who
most clamorously shouted "Treason !" and
thus Joined in forming the Commune, whose
mad eXcesses made hideous the fatal 18th OF
March.
And then the Nersaillist army was at the
gates of Paris, and the lowest of the Com
munists, hopeless, but struggling and def
ant to the last, resolved to burn the city
they could no longer hold.
Louis Lebas was chosen as one of those
who was to apply the torch, and on his per
emptory refusal was struck down by the
sword of the brute who proposed it and left
for dead. Thus for some time he lay, until
at last two men passed, and seeing that ne
was still aliVe-in fact, only stunned-llfted
him and applied restoratives.
One of these, who wore the Red Cross OF
Geneva, suddenly exclaimed, as he bent
more closely over him:
"Found ! Quick, Micheal, help me to
carry him home! Thank heaven ~ ne
added in lower tone. "Nowwill our poor
Marie be happyn'
Louis looked up and recognized him.
$50" he muttered, through his set teeth
$50, Jean Didier, you have come totriumph
over me, have you? But | have some
strength still left"
He tried to draw his sword, but Jeans
strong arm held him back.
Listen to me, LOUIS" he said. awe
have been looking for you-Marie and l."
"Marie! Then she is your wife? The
false"
"Silence, Louis Lebas, nor speak of Marie
until you can do it more reverently. 1t Is
you who have sinned, and not she. She is
true to you to this hour"
And then he told him all. Louis, as he
listened, bowed his head upon his hands
and wept like child.
"My poor, poor Marie! 1 am, indeed
unworthy of her. But take me to her
Jean, and forgive me, he added, stretching
out his hands-"forgive me, and hencefOrtf
let us be true and faithful friends"
"Come, we will 90 to Marie. She is nurS.
ing the wounded at the Rue Royale, and
Louis started to his feet with almost &
scream.
"Mon Dieu! that is the place they order:
ed me to burn. Oh, Marie, my darling,
shall lose you at last Jean, Jean, help me
to save her They are now setting the Rue
Royale on fire ~
He hurried through the streetslike mad
man, followed by Jean. Flames were burst
ing out here and there, and people rushing
wildly in every direction.
AS they fled onward straight toward the
flames, woman ran past. Her cry at once
arrested them.
Louis, Louis"
In an instant he and Marie were claspec
in each others arms.
7 o,i. f]rnu- bor aside info the shadow OF {
deep gateway. u