The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1889-05-17

| arc yet far short OF what she would have
them, when sho lays them at the feet OF the
man who has won her heart, ard deems the
| gift-nothing.
In every grade OF lif1--in every type and
phase of character-how tho old story re.
peats itselfl
Tho love of these two-a village girl and a
Norman millcr-might not seem 10 possess
any striking characteristics. and yet the ele-
ments OF tragedy lay beneath 1.-THE mater
ials of romance terrible in its pathos, grand
4 in its truth.
Tho quivering sunbcams dancel on the
river as 1t ran silver in the light. On the
solitary level OF the corn fields,
the hot rays poured their morning
brilliance. Tho birds hidden in de-
licious shadow, poured out their songs Of
welcome. The tail lntons and tho straight
cool early breeze; everywhere blazed tho
scarlet poppies, the gold of the corn, the
flame OF tulips, the hues OF roses.
| Pierre Leroux stood and looked at it all in
| the glow OF the summer dawn while the song
OF lark thrilled the silence with melody and
echoed his hearts own music. His lips
smiled, his eyes Frightened rs ho looked at
the beautiful picturesque old house.-the
house where today his wife would be brought
to reign henceforth in her gay Slrlsh beauty
as tho idol of his life.
| While he stood there think ing these
thoughts, dreaming these dreams, tho still
ness around was broken by the beat OF
drums, tho sound of marching feet. He
started and looked away across tho level
golden folds to the white winding road be-
| yond. He saw the gleam Of color, II flash OF
muskets, Il cloud of dust between the flower
ing hedges and the slender poplar stems.
Nearer and nearer they came, marching
steadily up to the mill entrance. He moved
| forward and stood before them.
"Whom do you seck?" he asked.
ga desorter," the officer In command an
swered him. "He escaped last night. Have
you seen anght Of him2"
| NO." was the firm surprised answer.
"Well, sec you harbor him not. There is
price on his head, and whoever conceals,
or abots his escape, becomes amenable to
the law. Hero is description Of him."
He tossed paper to the young man, his
eyes meanwhile searching tho orchard
grounds and the old mill itself rs IL for the
| fugitive.
do you wish to make search?" asked
Leroux. "You are quite at librty to do so,
rs, to tell tho truth, am the last man in tho
| world to show pity to a deserter. sympa-
thize too strongly with Franco now to par.
don any son who is base enough to forsake
her in the struggle"
You speak we'll" said the officer. glancing
approvingly ut the strong, well-knit frame
and handsome figure of the young miller.
'Why do you not lend your aid in hor sor-
vce?"
The young man looked round at his pos
sessions regretfuly.
81 am not at liberty to do so. NV race
have been sons of toll for many genera
tions past. This mill is my heritage; be-
Sides"
"What bcsides?"
soft sweet smile crossed Plerro's cravo
face; his eyes frightened with oxulting joy.
81 am about TO he married" he said.
"Oh, good enough reason for stopping at
homo. But take caro- you afe not called out.
Things look very black now. These devilish
Prussians are hitting us hard. They say
that every man Gt for service will be sum-
monod ere long"
The bronzed face of the young miller paled
perceLtibly. The golden notes of the dane
ing air quivercd before his eyes, the song OF
the rising lark lost its ringing music. Into
his heart IL fear crept, not for himself, but
for her, the fair girl-wife whom he might be
called upon to leave, oven in tho first sweet
days of welded bliss.
ut is us France Wills" he said and then
turned and led the way through tho shad-
owy orchard grounds, and into tho quaint
old dusky chambers OF tlte mill.
The search WAS in vain, of course. No
likelihood was there of Pierro Lcroux har-
boring dcserter-a creature whom his bold
courageous nature held in adherence,
whom his tongue would have lashcd with
fiery scorn and stung' with fierce rcbuke.
Thesoldiers accepted his offer Of Refreshments
The officer fingered short while longer,
chatting and laughing good -humoredy
with his frank honest-eyed host; and then
the whole party left, and went away through
the green meadows, and along the winding
tleld-paths, and SO into the high-road once
ing his eyes from the sunlight.
"Will they find him, wonder ?" he said to
himself "He deserves his fate II they do"
Good morrow, Pierre Lnroux," said
voice beside him. Il have brought u present
for thy wife that is to be. am here betimes
am not 2"
He turned round.
"What. is it you, Rose Michel ?"
cay, have brought some flowers tor thy
bridal chamber. tits II poor gift, but have
none other to offor"
"The gift is welcome" he said kindly.
"Will you go within?"
presently. We're those soldiers who left
you just now?"
"Yes, they are searching for deserter.
Have you seen aught of a soldier lettering in
the neighborhood?"
"Not l. Did they give you news Of the
war;"
very bad news. They seem to think more
volunteers will be needed"
''Ay heard so. Every able-bodied likely
youth is to be called out. sad day for US
truly. You might have to go, Pierre. What
would your bride say, think you?"
He was silent.
"Not but dnre say she would soon con-
sole herself" resumed Rose spitofully. "a
born coquette is Ninette, and one that will
need to be we'll looked after by the man who
trusts his honor to her keeping."
The young man turned swiftly Oh her, his