The Forrest City times., 1890-04-05

presbytery was opened ana Muile LyS, all in her night garments disordered, with shoulders bare. leaned out; but a hand pressed upon her mouth pushed her back before she could utter a cry. and the smosncred sound of struggle could be heard in the street.
 The abbe threw himself like a mad man upon the door, that Jean shook also with terrible push; the fasten- ings gave way and struck noiselessly against the wall; and the two men flew up the stairs. near which Mdlle. Lys lad fallen senseless.
 Jean" said the nbbe promptly. ''carry her to her chamber and restore her to sehse! You enter there, Mon sieur!" and he pushed toward another room, the door of which was wide open. the officer whom the scene had sobercd.
 Then. facing the eulprit. and look ing him straight in the eyes, the Abbe Chanteloup said:
 Listen to me! At Bergame, dur ing the campaign in Italy, was made lieutenant. The place was surrendered and one of my men. who had bravely done his duty in that campaign. that evening stole watch. had the robber shot. In Egypt my orderly, q dragoon who had helped save my life at the pyramids, struck dervish who was coming out of mosque. had that man dismissed from the army. At Wagram, finally, 1 surprised the old est officer of my squadron, of which I had been commander for five years. trying to ruin a woman. I myself killed the villain.
 The Cossack bowed, but said noth- ing. The abbc continued:
 You are to your soldiers the ex- ample of discipline and honor. You have stained it, Monsieur. If l had not arrived in time you would have committed here in my home an infamy -sullied a home which left under tho safeguard of your loyalty. It is necessary that you shall account to me; and if you refuse I shall compel you Forget then, that am priest, and re- member only that was soldier"
 The Abbe Chanteloup approached the wall and took down from it's place under a cross the cavaliy saber which had served him through the great wars.
 Come. Monsieur!N said no then. 'Jean, bring a lantern and follow US. V
 As they passed by the chamber where Mdlle. Lys sat alone. sobbing, with her face between her hands, the abbe entered
 . II have defended you from tears, my child" he said. Your father died lighting this shameless enemy-you ought then 10 be strong. And then with the utmost tenderness: Elm brace me my little onc!f
 The girl threw her arms around tho abbe's neck, who pressed her to his heart aud then discngaging himself, said;
 Remain upon your knees. my child. and pray for him that Is to die.'
 The three mea descended. traversed the yestry and the wings of the church, drowned in the shadow. where the lantern of the sacristan scintillated like little golden star.
 The ahbe passed behind the great altar, made sign before the cross, and pushed the creaking bolts of low door, which opening permitted him to pass ont into the wet and cold night air. The stranger in passing the threshold struck his foot upon a stone, which made him slip.
 .'Bo careful, Monsieur" said tho abbe. We arc in the field of rest and that stone is a grave.
 They passed on under the great yew trees and the willows where the grass reached almost to the knees. and halt cd behind wing of the church. Look ing around the abhe sslid:
 ''We shall be very we'll here. Jean, hang the lantern on the branch of that cross.
 The saeristan obeyed. The lantern swung by the wind. cast a shifting glimmer. which revealed the gloomy silhouette of the priest and the pale face of the officer against the great shadows dancing on the wall of the apse. The abhe made with his maimesl right hand the sign of the cross and graspcd in his left hand the hilt of his heavy sword.
 Come on. Monsieur. he said calmly.
 The officer wiped his forehead, drenehed with sweat. and slowly drew his sword. The two great blades touched and then. amid the surround ing silence. their flashes met in ringing blows.
 Meanwhile Jean Bigorne. on his knees in ihe grass. and with his hands clasped, fervently repeated the prayers for tho dying:
 ''suscipe. Domino. servum TuInm-@
 T am hit. /" said the abbe, parrying a blow.
 The sacristan sprang to his side. Tho blade of the tossack officer in pass ing over the ahbe's wrist-guard had traverscd his arm and made wound.
 You cannot continue. my command CT, said Jean.
 Then the officer stepped forward and said: Il can not fight with a defense less man. Monsieur. You can not hold your sword with that hand and the other Is maimed.
 sro your placer said the Abbe Chantelonp, scizins his sword with his mnltilatcd right hand Tho crime you have committed ought to be ob- liberated and will kill the memory of It with you. Jean, take your hand- kerehief and tie this hand firmly to this hilt. The sword will never fall but with the arm. Now we will pro- ceed, Monsieur
 And then the fight recommended, and with it the voice of Jean Bigornc. iutoning the funeral verse:
 .Libera. domino. animam seryi tui. "
 Closer without breathing time. hand to hand the furious fight went on, and the assaults of the officer. more agile, upon the abbc. Slowly the old soldier parricd that blade. which fell like club. But he parried it, and at last he passed under tho strangers arm, raised for terrible blow. and thrust his own blade into his throat.
 He has it, my commanderw
 And Jean Bigornc seized the lantern. dripping tearfully with raiu. and held It near the face of the man stretched upon the ground. X red fspsh border ed the lips between the clenched teeth.
 May God give you mercy as par t tL MA kalss