The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1885-12-10
"Here!" replied a gentle but firm

"Here!" replied a gentle but firm
voice.
Marie joined the ranks OF the sol.
diers. Her heart throbbed wildly.
She had taken her brothers place, and
was acknowledged as him.
The first division ofvictims, consist
ing of seventy men, was headed by
General Sombreuil. Solemnly they
marched along. Marie's companions
were too occupied with their own
thoughts to detect the deception. She
trembled lest her plan would be
thwarted. Ii possible she would have
quickened her steps.
At last they arrive at the place where
the execution was to be held. Apriest
offered prayer for the repose OF the
unfortunate victims souls. Marie
looked unfinchingly at the files OF
musketry before her. The command
was given, a sheet of flame flashed
forth. Marie reeled and fell; a ball had
entered her heart.
X 4 u \ 4
The clock struck six when Paul
awoke from his deep sleep. In deadly
terror, forit was alrerdy day, he sprang
from his couch His clock, his uniform,
were gone. He seized an old hunting
suit, dressed himself quickly, and hur-
ried out of the room. Henri rushed
up to him with appraised hands.
"W'hat time is it," said the young
man, desperately.
at is too late" the old servant
answered. TREMENDOUSLY.
Miserable man, you know not what
time is to mel"
81 know it; it concerns your life"
at concerns my honor, and that is
more. Hurry and get my horse. l
must go away without disturbing any
one. Wished to see them once more.
That was the reason of my coming.
l have given my word to return in
time. Now, away, away
At that moment Madame de Turgis
came rushing up to him. Although
they had spoken in hushed voices, she
had heard part of their conversation.
She was extremely agitated.
"What is the matter? What have !
heard?" she gasped.
Keep him back; the prisoners, OF
whom he is one, will be shot this
morning."
"My son. my son! You must not
die. Your death will be mine!"
She clasped him in her arms as if to
draw him from the brink of a preci-
pice.
In the meantime Henri hurried to
Marie's room, hoping that Paul could
not withstand the united entreaties OF
mother and sister. He knocked again;
still silence reigned. He took an old
servant privilege to open the door.
He FASTENED back to his master, who
tried to free himself from Louise's en-
brace, who had also been aroused
from her sleep.
"Marie has gone; her bed has not
been touched!"7
One thought flashed simultaneously
through their minds. They rushed to
her room. Paul was the first to see
the note. 1t contained the following:
DEAREST BROTHER: You shall not die
and your honor will be saved. Live and
comfort our dear mother. Tell her not to
grieve for me. l gladly give my life for
yours. Farewell my beloved ones! In
heaven we will meet again. MARIE
Sand shall let my sister perish?"
cried Paul, wildly.
Herushed away. At the foot of the
stairs stood his groom, who looked as
if he saw q ghost.
"Is it really you, master? Who was
then the victim who wore your uni
form?"
at was my sister! Oh, unhappy
mortal that am! She has sacrificed
herself for me-"
He pressed both hands against his
breast, all the blood seeming suddenly
to stagnate about his heart. He felt
as though life and senses were forsak-
ing him, and then, struck as it were by
a flash of lightning, he fell senseless.
Madame de Turgis, despite her mex
pressible grief, felt that she must do
everything to save her son. She al
most blessed the Inconsistencies that
had come over him. After the swoon
had passed away he was raving with
fever. Often he cried: 'sPaul de Tur-
gis-here,' or ''fire!" Then again,
ssKeep her back, keep her back!'
The same day, Louise, disguised as
a peasant girl, and accompanied by
Henri and their groom, went to Van
mes The dead-over seven hundred
were still awaiting their burial. AT
ter an hours search they found Marie.
Her CLASSY eyes still betrayed the rest
less look with which she had scanned
the distance, fearing to the last her
brothers arrival. Louise raised the
still, cold form and kissed the lips
closed forever. Her remains were
placed at the foot of the altar in their
chapel, where two years afterward
Paul and Louise were united.
Many days and nights-many weeks
passed before Paul de Turgis knew
what was passing around him: He re
covered in time, but what he had sui
fered was known only to himself ard
heaven He was given back to life
and love, bHt-at @ high price-a sis.
ter's sacrifice.@Translated for the Ar
gonaut from the French by Lois: