Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1886-07-18

while he talked with her The clanking
of the chains still sounded IN her ears,
and at sight of the General she began
! pleading for her condemned friends.
| "What would you do to save them :"
he asked, assuming compassionate
| tone,
DO! would do anything. would
he your servant, your dog-whatevor
You chose-it you would only spare them.
This trouble all came upon them because
OF me, and do you think that | would
shrink from anything which released
| them
Would You go to prison to save
them"
YES"
And always stay there"
"1eS.
Il believe you. You are brave girl.
If you will stay with me for IA year and
obey me III everything | will spare their
| ives.
And when the year is over ! can come
back here again To my father
'tertalnly, if you wish"
She opened her eyes in ama2ement.
What he asked seemed such little thing
only to be his servant for year
~ on do not answer he said
"What answer save one could make"
she responded quietly.
"l you refuse them"
"No, no; | accept. Do You think rd
let them die for such "A little reason"
"Do you promise to 20 with me, and
obey me, them"
yes"
"Will you swear it 2" he asked eagerly
She laughed.
why, what stress you lay on a
triile, she anwered, mpatiently. "les.
swear it, if you want me to"
Good Then you father and the old
Italian shall be set free at once"
And the soldier, too You must not
forget him.
VERY well, then; I'll forgive him. too.
But he must leave my army, though. for
his disobedience.'
That don't matter. lie can live with
my father until come home again.
One single qualm of conscience came
over the vilainens General. but when it
was gone his brutality was even more re
lentless than before.
Your father will be angry" he said,
fearing that he might get in trouble if he
seemed to take Ninette away against her
will. "Yo must tell him that you go
with me willingly, and that it is your
own wish. DO not say, either, that you
go to save their liveS-wait till you come
nome year hence, before you let any of
them know that
81 will obey you," she said
An hour later she stood before the
Generals tent when her three friends
were brought up.
The clankingof their chains still thrilled
her with horror. How glad she was that
they were to be so quickly stricken Off.
What kind man the General was, after
all, to pardon them for her, and how
slight was the return he had asked her to
make for it The world seemed yer,
beautiful to her that morning.
Remove the chains commanded the
General.
He was obeyed.
CHOW" he said, 'these men can go
where they like, All three of them are
pardoned"
Come, Ninette," said her father, after
the General had been thanked for his
clemency, "we will 60 home"
She shook her head
Il shall stay with the General" she
said. "ln year | will come home
again.
What can you mean, child" he cried
in horror.
Antonio and the discharged soldier
looked at each other in absolute Devil
derment.
"Do not ask me anything more" she
said, displeased at his manner.
"Shall you-su bmit-to this man? Is
that what you mean? Oh God not
that! Come away at oncc!" he begged.
She pushed him back
Il have already submitted, she an
swered, half angrily, and little thinking
what herwordsseeme oimpIy, Now,
kiss me and 20 away"
kiss you After that? Never. |
curse you instead! How could 50 pure
mother have brought forth so vile a
whelp. ="
But at a motion from the General the
| three liberated men were seized and hur-
ried swiftly out of camp.
Il am glad | am going with you" said
Ninette to the General; my father is 50
r)ugh.'
The three men went away with heavy
hearts.
-"All women are the same" muttered
the discharged soldier.
and | thought her so innocentr'
moaned the old artist
Nnettes father was weeping.
A year had passed since they last saw
her in the early morning light before the
Generals tent. The war was now over,
and all France was free and at peace
again.
A beautiful woman, sad and stern
faced, left a Paris salon, by herself, just
at daybreak. and walked firmly and
swiftly toward the Seine twas Ninette.