Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1889-06-13

On the solitary level of the corn fields,
the hot rays poured their morning
brilliance. The birds hidden in deli
cious shadow, poured out their songs
OF welcome. The tall lindens and the
straight solemn rows OF poplars
swayed gently in the cool early
breeze; everywhere blazed the scarlet
peoples, the gold of the corn, the
flame of tulips, the hues of roses.
Pierre HerouX 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, as he looked at
the beautiful picturesque old house
the house where to-day his wife would
be brought TO reign henceforth in her
gay girlish beauty as the idol OF his
life.
While he s God there thinking these
thoughts, dreaming these dreams, the
stiffness around was broken by the
beat of drums, the sound of marching
feet. He started and looked away
across the level golden fields TO the
white winding road beyond. He saw
the CLEAN of color, flash OF muskets.
n cloud Of dust between the towering
hedges and the slender poplar stems.
Nearer and nearer they came, march
! ing steadily up TO the mill entrance.
He moved forward and stood before
| them.
Whom do you scell?" he asked.
go ha in
mand answered him. ale escaped
last night. Have you seen aught OF
him?"
"No," was the firm surprised an
swer.
"Well, see you harbor hiro not
There is price on his head, AID who
ever conceals, or abets his escape, be-
comes amendable to the law Here is
Il description of him
He tossed n paper to the young man
his eyes meanwhile searching the or
chard grounds and the old mill itself
as il for the fugitive
"Do you wish 'omake search?" ask
ed LerOuX. "You are quite at liber-
ty to do so, as, to tell the truth, am
the last man in the world to show
pity to deserter. | sympathize too
strongly with France now to pardon
any son who is base enough to forsake
her in the struggle
"You speak WELL" said the officer,
glancing approvingly at the strong,
well-knit frame and handsome figure of
the young miller. "'Why do you not
| lend you aid in her service?"
The young man lookel round at his
| possessions regretfully.
Il am not at liberty 20 do so. Ny
race have been sons Of toll for many
generations past. This mill is my
heritage; besides-"
"What besides?'
A soft sweet smile crossed Pierre's
grave face; his eyes frightened with
exultiLg JOY
al am about to be married" he
said.
"Oh, good enough reason for
! stopping at home. But take care you
are not called out. Things look very
black now. These devilish Prussians
are hitting us hard. They say that
every man fit for service will be sum-
moned ere long"
The brouzed face OF the young mil
Ter paled perceptibly. The golden
notes OF the dancing air quivered be-
fore his eyes, the song of the rising
lark lost its ringing music. Into his
heart fear crept, not for himself, but
for her. the fair girl-wife. whom he
might be called upon to leave, even
in the first sweet days OF welded bliss.
ut is as France wills, ~ he said; and
then turned and led the way through
the shadowy orchard grounds, and
into the quaint old duslSy chambers of
the mill.
The search was in vain, OF course.
No likelihood was there OF Pierre
LerouX harboring deserter-a crea-
ture whom his bold courageous nature
held in adherence. whom his tongue
would have dashed with fiery scorn
and stung with fierce rebuke. The
soldiers accepted his offer of refresh
ments. The officer fingered a short
while longer, chatting and laughing
good humoredly with his frank hone IT
eyed host and then the whole party
| lCll, WCilI away NhlO IllO ElCOli
meadows. and along the winding field
paths, and so into the high road once
more. Pierre LerouX watched them,
shading his eyes from the sunlight.
"Will they find him, i wonderP" he
said to himself. He deserves his
fate If they do
Good morrow, Pierre Leroux, said
voice beside him. Il have brought
a present for thy wife that is to be.
/ am here besides, am | not?"
He turned round.
"What, is it you, Rose MichelP"
LAY, / have brought some flowers
for thy bridal chamber. 1T is II poor
gift, but have none other TO offer. "
"The gift is welcome" he said kind
ly. "Will you go Within"
presently. Were those soldiers
who left you just now"
Eyes, they are searching for a de-
sorter. Have you seen aught OF a
soldier lettering in the neighbor-