Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-04-30
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A THRILLING STORY OF THE
FRANCO-P RUSSIAN WAR.
CHAPTER XIV.
by MAURICE LEGRAND.
"PAROLE D'HONNEUR,"

''PAROLE D'HONNEUR."
UGOEROUX," said BONNER coming
~ close to him in exercise yard.
Il have good news for YOU"
The listless patient face turned toward
him.
..For me? What news can you have
that would be good? Even my release
from this den of misery would not give
me happiness or content"
Nonsense. You take too gloomy
a view of everything" said the kind
hearted German. ''Well, l have
brought you letter. 1t is from a
countryman of your own, so at least
my sweetheart told me. How she came
by it is a mystery, but perhaps it has
good news or may treat Of ransom.
Who knows? l only hope it may, for
this life would kill you soon; am sure
of that"
"a letter, did you say?"
"Yes; and from a cOmpatriot. Take
heed no one sees you read it. 1t is as
much Us my life is worth to carry it to
you, but then Gretchen pleaded so
prettily and asked SO tearfully-what
could do but take it? Here, take it
but don't read it for the love of Heav-
en-, till you are safe and unobserved. "
The tiny missive was passed rapidly
from hand 10 hand. none seeing the
transfer, and Leroux concealed it in
the bosom of his coat.
Ninette. safe and sheltered from the
ever-dreaded discovery OF her where
abouts, had formed Il plan, desperate
and hopeless enough, but woman-like
in its very self sacrifice and devotion.
Knowing that Hans BONNER was the
lover of the kind-hearted girl whose
ready invention had completely con-
cealed her own identity, she persuaded
Gretchen to coax him into delivering
a letter to her husband with plan
for his escape. Her object was
to induce BONNER to assist him.
At dead OF night, when the Ger.
man had the sentry duty. this could
easily be managed. Once out OF the gar.
rison Gretchen was to meet him with
the peasant suit which had SO well dis.
guiscd his wife. The necessary
papers and forms would be obtained
as if for the departure of cousin
Hans" Thus disguised he could make
his way out OF the city-take the trair
for whatever place he deemed best,
and then, at the first opportunity pos.
sible, make his way to France. d
the risk she herself ran by resuminl
her woman's attire, Ninette though
nothing. To save her husband from
tho torture and oppres sion he dali!
endured, this was her only thought
She preserved her own part in tn,
plan strict secret, knowing wei
that believing what he did of her, tn,
mere mention OF her name would hav,
deferred him from attempting to es
cape. The letter containing these di
rections purported to be from Il Frencl
soldier, and was written.in their owl
language.
As Pierre Leroux read it in solitud
that night by the light OF the mist,
moOn-rays, his heart for momen
bounded with hope. Free! To b,
free once more-to quit this hateful
tyranny-to bid farewell to prosecu
tion-cruelty-su The though
was itself relief. A moment after hi
face paled, his hand trembled-th
letter with its sweet insidious tempt
ing was crushed in his grasp.
'.My world have given my word,
he muttered.
And that was the only answer homo
permitted.
Though the gates Of his prise
stood open, and none barred his pre-
gres4 back to liberty, he could nc
forget that he was on "parole
that simple soldierly cod
: OF honor bound him in chain
firmer than any his foes coul