The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-03-05

that led up to his house. As he walked
along by the wall of the church he
heard a call:
Here, this way, Monsieur Abbe!''
You, Jean! how are you sthere?"
asked he, astonished.
1T is the officer, my commander He
returned and pushed me out when l
went to fasten the door. He is intoxi-
Gated, the scoundrelr'
AT that moment window of the
presbytery was opened and Mdlle Lys,
all in her. night garments disorlered
with shoulders bare, leaned out; but "a
hand pressed upon her mouth pushed
her back before she could utter cry,
and the smothered 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
had fallen senseless.
jean" said the able promptly,
''carry her to her chamber and restore
her to sense! You enter there, Mon
sieurn' and he pushed toward another
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 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
Eolo Al.
robber shot. In Egypt my orderly, a
dragoon who had helped save my life
at the pyramids, struck dervish who
| was coming out of mosque. l 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. L myself
killed the villain.
The Cossack bowed. but said moth
ing. The able continued:
You are to your soldiers the ex-
ample of discipline and honor. You
have stained it, Monsieur. If I had
not arrived in time you would have
committed here in my homo an infamy
Asullied home which left under the
safeguard of your loyalty. 1t is
necessary that you shall account to me;
and if you refuse l shall compel you.
Forget then, that l am priest, and re-
member only that 1 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, Monsieur!" said he then.
'Jean, bring lantern and follow u.s.
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
fighting this shameless enemy-you
ought then to be strong" And then
with the utmost tenderness: EN-
brace me, my little one!"
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,
and pray for him that is to die!'
The three men descended, traversed
the vestry and the wings of the church,
drowned in the shadow, where the
lantern of the sacristan scintillated like
little golden star.
The able passed behind the great
altar, made sign before the cross, and
pushed the creaking bolts of low door,
which opening permitted him to pass
out into the wet and cold night air
The stranger in passing the threshold
struck his foot upon stone, which
made him slip.
BE careful, Monsieur" said the
abbe. 1--WE are in the field of rest and
that stone is grave"
They passed on under the great yew
trees and the willows, where the grass
reached almost to the knees, and halt
ed behind a wing of the church. Look
ing around the able said:
1--WE shall be very well here. Jean,
hang the lantern on the branch of that
cross"
The sacristan 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 able made with his manned
right hand the sign of the cross and
grasped in his left hand the hilt of his
heavy sword.
Come on, Monsieur he said
calmly.
The officer wiped his forehead,
6renched with sweat, and slowly drew
his sword. The two great blades
touched and then, amid the surround
! inc silence, their flashes met in ringing
| blows.
Meanwhile Jean Bigorne, on his
-, nnc
clasped, fervently repeated the prayers
for the dying:
''Suscipe, Domino, servum Tumm-"
Il am hit" said the abbe, parryln9
a blow.
The sacristan sprang to his side.
/ The blade of the Cossack officer in pass
! ing over the abbe's wrist-guard had
traversed his arm and made Il wound.
You can not continue, my command
er," said Jean.
Then the officer stepped forward and
said: Il can not fight with a defense,
your sword with that. hand and the
other is maimed.n
To your placer said the Able
Chanteloup, seizin9 his sword with his
multilated right hand. The crime
you nave cOlnillIleu OuSlI " OC OD-
liberated and | will kill the memory ot
it with you. Jean, take your hand
kerchief and tie this hand firmly tc
this hilt. The sword will never fal
but with the arm. Now we will pro
ceed, Monsieur"
And then the fight recommended
and with it the voice of Jean Bigorne
intoning the funeral verse:
'Libera, domino, amman servi tut.
Closer, without breathing time, hant
to hand the furious fight went on, anc
the assaults of the officer. more agile
upon the abbe. Slowly the old soldier
parried that blade, which fell like ;
club But he parried it, and at last h'
passed under the strangers arm, raised
for a terrible blow, and thrust his owl
blade into his throat.
He has it, my commanderm
And Jean Bigorne seized the lantern
dripping tearfully with rain, and helC
it near the face of the man stretched
upon the ground. A red froth border
ed the lips between the clenched teeth
May God give you mercy as | par
don YOU" said the Abbe Chantelouu