The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1890-04-12


although the most of them looked in AT
the tavern. when Bigorne came to tell
the able that man, dripping with rain
and covered with mud. had just ar
rived from two leagues away through
the woods to ask that the able should
90 to his house. where his mother lay
at the point OF death and needed the
last consolation OF the church.
II will 60" said the able.
Jean Bigorne looked at him.
but, monsieur abbe." said he. "you
can not think of going at such an
hour. The roads are bad. il rains like
a benediction and Is SO black there that
the devil goes with his tail down, my
commander"
Give me my hat" replied the able.
s,But il Is not Gods will You will
meet those brigands at all corners OF
the woods, not counting that evil
officer that you leave here. Surely it
is not prudent, Monsieur Able. II is
not prudent"
Are you not here?" replied the
able. "And he has not returned this
evening. and may be on duty all night.
For the rest, / will be back in two
hours. Prepare the holy oil. and tell
Janmot ut the tavern TO saddle horse
for me. Ii is the good God who calls
me to that friend who Is going TO Him.
Co.
1T is enough. my commander" said
Jean resignedly.
II was on the stroke Of midnight when
the able Chanteloup returned his
Ia.
across the sleeping village, the lane
that led up to his house. As he walked
along by the wall OF the church he
heard call
Here, this way. Monsieur Abbe!"
you, Jean! how are you there"
asked he. astonished.
1T Is the officer, my commander. He
returned and pushed me out when l
went TO fasten the door. lie Is intoxi-
Gated, the scoundrel"
At that moment window of the
presbytery was opened and Mdlle Lys.
all in her night garments disordered,
with shoulders bare. leaned out; but
hand pressed upon her mouth pushed
her back before she could utter a cry.
and the smothered sound Of struggle
COulu De ncaTu In tue street..
The able threw himself like a mad
man upon the door, that Jean shook
also with terrible push; the fasten-
ings gave way and struck nolselessly
against the wall and the two men flew
up the stairs. near which Mdlle. Lys
had fallen senseless.
Jean" said the able promptly,
s.carry her To her chamber and restore
her TO sensel You enter there, Mon
sieuri" and he pushed toward another
room the door of which was wide open.
the officer whom the scene had sobered.
Then. facing the culprit, and look
ing him straight in the eyes, the Able
Chanteloup said:
Listen TO mel At Bergame. dur
ing the campaign in Italy, was. made
lieutenant. The place was surrendered
and one of my men, who had brayely
done his duty in that campaign. that
evening stole watch. / had the
robber shot. In Egypt my orderly,
Dragon who had helped save my life
Mt the pyramids, struck deryish who
was coming out of mosque. l had
that man dismissed from the army. At
Wagram. finally surprised the old
had been commander for five years
killed the villain.
The Cossack bowed. but said moth
ing. The able continued:
"'You are 10 your soldiers the ex-
ample of discipline and honor. You
have stained 1t, Monsieur IL had
not arrived in time you would have
committed here in my home an infamy
--sullied home which / left under the
safeguard Of your loyalty. 1t is
necessary that you shall account to me;
and II you refuse | shall compel you.
Forget then. that am priest, and re-
member only that was a soldier"
The Able Chanteloup approached the
wall and took down from its place
under cross the cavalry saber which
had served him through the great wars.
Come, Monsieurln said he then.
jean, bring lantern and follow us.
As they passed by the chamber
where Mdlle. Lys sat alone. sobbing.
with her face between her hands, the
able entered
II have defended you from tears.
my child" he said Your father died
lighting this shameless enemy--you
ought then to be strong" And then
with the utmost tenderness: EN-
brace me, my little oncl"
The girl threw her arms around the
abbe's neck. who pressed her to his
heart and then disengaging himself.
said:
''Remain upon your knees my child.
aud pray for him that is to diel'
The three men descended, traversed