The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1888-01-19

l10 I0II III Inc OAUuI0 III WHICH IcCcAb'
ed the wound that has left me as you
see me. Oh, but he earned the
title all called him-Pierre the
Hero! Had it not been for him
we would have lost instead OF, as we
did. won the day. Once before ne
won q golden star-a pretty bauble;
but this time, in the very midst OF
blood and carnage. saw our imperial
leader lean from his horse, and take
from his own breast the only deco
ration it bore. 1t was cross-only
iron, it is true; but an emblem each
one of us would have been prouder to
own than one glittering with brilliant
gems. "My noble youth, wear this!"
he exclaimed. "Should aueht happen
to ma and you live, know that your
leader could not delay till after the
battle was over, but thus rewards
you nowp'
He did not wait longer; but spur
ring his horse was off to another part
of the field. On our captains breast
was the iron cross. After that re-
member nothing more. When / came
to myself in the hospital they told me
my captain was dead
GAS the old soldier thus spoke Mar
guerite was by my side, and heard all.
She had changed sadly in those last
few weeks; but knew that until then
she had not given up hope. AS time
passed l could not help but notice
that the pathetic grief in Marguerite's
face. instead of injuring her beauty,
only made it the more striking. And
so thought one Jules Dermot-a rich
farmer, and good friend of mine, but
man twice Marguerite's age.
A year went slowly by, and then one
day Marguerite came to me for advice.
Her father was old and poor, and
growing each day more feeble, and
now he asked of her sacrifice. That
she should ensure the comfort OF
his declining years, and her own welfare
when he should be gone, by accepting
and marrying the wealthy respected
farmer, Jules Dermot. thought long
and earnestly, then 1 said:
!" My child, how do you yourself feel
about it?'
A resolute light filled her pretty
eyes.
al have thought she said sadly,
that it might be wrong for me to re-
fuse to obey my fathers wishes. 1
have been taught by you that child's
first duty is to her parents, and my
father has not long to live. A girls
passionate love l can never give to
Jules Dermot, and SO / have told
him; but as his wife I can serve and
obey him faithfully aud truly, and he
says he will be more than content to
have me even thus
what could l say but what I did
to follow the impulses of her own
pure heart; they could not lead her
wrong. So they were married; and
the old father left his hum.
Bile cottage, and lived the
following year (which proved
his last) in his daughters new
home. Then came little Marguerite
to Jules Dermot and his wife; q tiny
copy of her mother. Like a pure
white daisy she lay, just beginning her
young life, while aIasl the mother the
beloved of all-was dying. The truth
could not be long disguised. There
was no hope.
"a tremuIous sigh-a long upward
look-and then a beautiful inanimate
form was all that was left to us.
Jules Dermot sorrowed faithfully and
keenly; then after time an irresisti-
BILE craving for change came to him.
He had money, he would travel. So
he brought the little Marguerite to me,
and left her in my care.
'One summer evening my pet and l
were in the garden, when saw a mans
figure coming mp the road with slow
and weary steps. He paused at the
gate and looked in at us.
"'Come in, sir, and rest yourself, /
said; and lifting the latch he came to-
wards me.
GAS my gaze fell on the tall attenu-
ated form and the wan face, which
looked blanched and worn under the
moons clear beams, I started, and
cold thrill passed through ME.
"'Have you forgotten Pierre? he
said.
"Then I knew him-that it was in
deed Pierre Lavelle! With trembling
hands drew him into the house.
"'Oh!" he exclaimed, sinking into
chair, how good it is to be at home!
I doubted if my strength would keep
me till saw its blessed scenes again.
But God is kind-I am here at last. /
came first to you, dear old friend, to
wear off this intense fatigue; but in a
little while must 60 to my mother
and my betrothed. How are they
are they well?'
II evaded all answer as / pressed
him to partake of bread and wine.
Suddenly the little one, whose
very existence had for the time for
gotten. came into the room, and to
Pierre's side, looking up at him with
her mothers tender blue eyes. He
drew her to him-Pierre was ever fond
of children.
"'What is your name?' he asked.
Marguerite she answered.; and
then won to confidence by his friendly
manner, she added: I live here, but
my papa is away, and my mamma is
dead
"Pierre's gaze fell upon my tace,
which was working convulsively spite
of all my efforts at control, and q
vague fear seemed to spring into his
mind. Rising hurriedly, he put her
from him.
"'I must 60 now-I feel stronger
he said-though his looks belied his
words l must not stay longer from
the side OF my loved Ones
"'Oh, Pierre, stay-do not goP I
cried.
Ellis eyes dilated with an express
sion of terror.
Tell me truly, he exclaimed, how