Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1889-10-11
'TWiytL life and Death
Or
UNDER MEDICAL ADVICE.
a Story Of the Franco
Prussian War.
BY ROBERT BUCHANAN.
CHAPTER XII.
THE MEDALLION.


AS the night advanced, the wounded
man continued to sleep TRANQUILITY, only
now and then turning on his pillow and
murmuring TO himself. A clock on the
mantel-piece of the little sitting-room
sounded the half-hours, and as each
struck clearly Blanche rose and admins
tered the anOdyne.
Blanche felt no desire to sleep. Her
heart was too deeply stirred, her mind too
troubled, for her even to close her eyes.
She sat watching patiently, thinking Of
all the sad fortune of war. of the strange
events which had brought the young Off
Ger to that house, and, above all, of her
father.
She thought of the home beyond the
Rhine, where the soldiers sister, a girl
like herself, was waiting for him, per-
haps praying on her knees. She could
almost picture her-a child, as he had
said, with golden hair. All, yes, her dear
father was right. War was an evil thing,
and even the enemies of France had low
ing homes, with dear ones to watch fondly
their coming and their going
Suddenly she was startled by wild cry,
almost n shrek, from the sick bed. Ris-
ing to her feet, she saw that the wounded
man had started up from his sleep, and,
leaning upon one elbow, was wildly look
ing round. AS she bent toward him he
spoke rapidly in German, and gazed upO4
vacancy with the expression of one seeing
some hideOus sight.
Monsieur, what is it? All, try to com
pose yOurself!" she cried.
Who's there? Who speaks?" he cried,
in German. Look, lOok-that face! Can
you not see, there against the wall?"
Terrified and trembling, she followed
the direction Of his gaze, but saw moth
ing.
rs it you Madcmoiselle Blanche?" he
moaned, this time in French. 81 thought
it was her voice, my little Annchen's.
How long have been lying here?"
Since this afternoon, when you were
wounded"
Yes, yes; I remember. You brought
me here. Am at the Chateau of Grand
PREF"
yes; but do not question any more.
Lie down, I beseech yOu!"
Come closer" he murmured; closer
still. I think-I think-that I am dy-
ing?"
mo, no; you viii live!"
Whether I live or die, have a duty
to fultill-a solemn duty. Something
warned me IN my avOice-his voice.
Bend down your ear; L must speak to
you.
Not Tomorrow"
His face became almost stern in resolve
as he replied.
"Do me this last service. Let me ease
my heart, let me keep my promise.
He reached out his trembling hand and
grasped her by the wrist. In her horror
and pity she could say no more. He went
on:
@The war! All, what curse is warI It
turns men into devils. Even who speak
to you have blood upon my hands. One
night, up yOnder in the north. I killed a
Frenchman.
His expression was so terrible that she
would have shrunk away had he not held
her.
Listen, Blanche We were detached
to storm a cottage, held by a handful OF
the French. AS we. crept forward in the
shadow of the trees we saw one of the
enemy standing like a sentinel in the full
moonlight. His back was toward US; be
didn't seem to hear us coming. / was
upon him before he could turn or fly.
cut him down with my sword; hefe1 with
out grOan.
Let me 60, for Gods sake!" moaned
the frightened girl; "I cannot listen"
But though his hold upon her was weak
and trembling, she had not the strength
to draw herself away.
I'VE sacked the cottage, he continued,
In q hOarse whisper. Then, sick of the
slaughter, L stepped back into the moon
tight. Suddenly 1 heard a voice family
calling to me. STOPPING, 1 beheld the
officer I had cut down, not dead, but
dying. Touched with compassion, knel
down beside him and tried to raise him up
Too late!' he murmured; but if you are
mana gentleman, perhaps-promlst
me one thing: if you survive, to forward
this to the French general, and tell him
tell him Here his speech failed him
but with a last effort he drew from hi
breast a lOcket and golden chain, and
thrusting them into my hands, fell bacl
lifeless and cold"
With a tremulous effort he opened hi
dress and drew forth a chain and locke
which had lain concealed upon his heart
At that moment a CONFUSION ran through
his frame, and, with a deep grOan, he SAM
back upon the bed.
His hand still held the locket Whit
as marble Blanche loOsened his finger
and took it from him, and held it up t
the light Her head went round, he
eyes dazzled, but with the strength O
despair she pressed the spring and mad
it open.
A cry of terror burst from her lips. Sh
saw her mothers Hkeness-side by sid
with her own as little child. 1t was th
gold medallion which she had given to he
eo+bav tho NIGHT bafOra ba want oyuov