Evening journal., 1890-02-20

Pyramids, struck dervish who was coming
put Of a mosque had that man dismissed
from tho army. At Wagram, finally, I snr-
prised the oldest officer Of my squadron, Of
which had been commander for five years,
trying 70 ruin woman. myself killed the
villain"
The Cossacls bowed, but said nothing. The
lbbe continued.
you are to your soldiers the example q
discipline and honor You have stained it,
monsieur. If had not arrived in time you
would have committed here in my home an
nfamy-sullied a home which l left under
he safeguard of your loyalty. It is neces-
ary that you shall account to me; and if you
refuse shall compel you. Forget, then, that
| am priest, and remember only that was
4 soldier.p
The Able Chanteloup approached the wall
aud took down from its place under a cross
the cavalry saber which had served him
through the great wars.
"Come, monsieurln said he then. "Jean,
bring lantern and follow us.n
As they passed by tho chamber where
Mile. Lys sat alone, sobbing with her face
between her hands, the able entered.
II have defended you from tears, my
child, be said. "Your father died fighting
this shameless enemy-you ought then to be
strong" And then with the utmost tender
ness: Embrace me- my little oneln
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 who is to der
The three men descended, traversed the
vestry and the wings Of the church, drowned
in 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 q stone, which
made him slip.
'Be careful, monsieur" said tho able.
eve are ia the field Of rest and that stone is
graven
They passed on under tho great yew trees
and the willows, whore the grass reached
almost to the knees, and halted behind
wing of the church. Looking around, the
able said:
1--WE shall be very well here Jean, hang
the lantern on branch Of that cross"
The sacristan obeyel. The lantern, swung
by the wind, cast 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, drenched
with sweat, and slowly drew his sword. The
two great blades touched and then, amid the
surrounding silence, their flashes met in ring
ing blows.
Meanwhile Jean Bigorne on his knees in the
grass, and with his hands clasped, fervently
repeated the prayers for the dying;
''Suscipe, Domino, scrvum Tuum"--
~ am hit, " said the able, parryiug a blow
The sacristan sprang to his side. The blade
of the Cossack officer in passing over tho
abbe's wrist guard had traversed his arm and
made wound.
"You cannot continue my commander, ("
said Jean.
Then the officer stepped forward and said:
II cannot Eight with defenseless man, mon
sieur. You cannot hold your sword with that
hand and the other is MANNED
$40 your placer said the Able Chanteloup,
Selling his sword with his mutilated right
hand. 'The crime you have committed ought
TO be obliterated aud will kill the memory
Of it with you. jean, take your handkerchief
and tie this hand firmly to this hilt. The
sword will never fan but with the arm. Now
we win proceed, 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, hand to
hand the furious fight went on, and the as
saults Of the officer, more agile, upon the
able. Slowly the old soldier parried that
blade, which fell like a club. But he parried
il, and at last he passed under the strangers
arm, raised for a terrible blow, ana thrust
his own blade into his throat.
HE has it, my commanderip
And jean Bigorne seized the lantern, drip
| ping tearfully with rain, and held it near the
face OF the man stretched upon tho ground.
A red froth bordered the lips between the
4 clenched teeth
May God give you mercy as I pardon
| you" said the Abbe Chanteloup, NOR leave
you to suffer in soul or bodyp
And absolved the Cossack expired.