The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-10-07
TVijZtLifRe and Death
UNDER MEDICAL ADVICE.
A Story Of the Franco
PruSsian War.
BY ROBERT BUCHANAN.
CHAPTER MI.
THE MEDALLION.

.. CHAPTER XII.
THE MEDALLION.
As the night advanced, the wounded
man continued to sleep TRANQUILITY, only
now and then turning on his pillow and
murmuring 10 himself. A clock on the
mantel-piece of the little sitting-room
sounded the half-hours, and as each
struck clearly Blanche rose and admins
tered the anodyne.
Blanche felt no desire to sleep. Her
heart was too deeply stirred, her mind too
troub bled, for her even to close her eyes.
She sat watching patiently, thinking OF
al the sad fortune of war. of the strange
events which had brought the young OH
Get to that house, and, above all, of her
father.
She thought of the home beyond the
Rhine, where the soldiers sister, girl
like herself, was waiting for him, per-
haps praying on her knees. She could
almost picture her-a child, as he had
said, with golden hair. All, yes, her dear
father was right. War was an evil thing,
and even the enemies Of France had low
ing homes, with dear ones to watch fondly
their coming and their going
Suddenly she was startled by wild cry,
almost shrek, from the sick bed. Ris-
ing to her feet, she saw that the wounded
man had started up from his sleep, and,
leaning upon one elbow, was wildly look
ing round. As she bent toward him he
spoke rapidly in German, and gazed upon
vacancy with the expression OF one seeing
some hideous sight.
Monsieur, what is it? All, try to COM
pose YOURSELF" she cried.
who's there? Who speaks?" he cried,
In German. Look, look-that face! Can
you not see, there against the wall?"
Terrified and trembling, she followed
ing; F., ;. .-o, .,a.,,o;s.,,. R,.ncbs,n bs
moaned, this time in French. I thought
f. was her voice, my little Annchen's.
How long have been lying here?"
-Since this afternoon, when you were
wounded"
Yes, yes; I remember. You brought
me here. Am at the Chateau of Grand
PREF"
Yes; but do not question any more.
Lie down, beseech you"
7 Come closer" he murmured; closer
still. I think-I think-that I am dy-
ing?'
q,
whether I live or die, have duty
20 fulfll-a solemn duty. Something
warned me in my ysleep-avoice-his voice.
Bend down your ear; I must speak to
5ou.
Not now-to-morrow.'
His face became almost stern in resolve
as he replied.
GDo me this last service. Let me ease
AZ
He reached out his trembling hand and
erasped her by the wrist. In her horror
and pity she could say no more. He went
ON:
-The war! All, what curse is war! It
turns men into devils. Even who speak
80 YOU have blood upon my hands. One
night, up yonder in the north, I killed a
yfenchman."
His expression was so terrible that she
would have shrunk away had he not held
her.
Listen, Blanche. We we're detached
10 storm q cottage, held by a handful of
the French. AS we crept forward In tho
enemy standing like sentinel in the full
moonlight. His back was toward us; he
didn't seem to hear US coming. I was
upon him before he could turn or fly. I
cut him down with my sword; hefel with
out q groan."
~ Let me 90, for Gods sake!" moaned
the frightened girl; I cannot listen
But though his hold upon her was weak
and trembling, she had not the strength
TO draw herself away.
We sacked tie cottage" he continued,
IN hosrse whisper. Then, sick Of the
slaughter, stepped back into the moon
light Suddenly heard voice family
calling to me. STOPPING, I beheld the
officer I had cut down, not dead, but
dying. Touched with compassion, knelt
down beside him and tried to raise him up.
Too later he murmured; 'but if you are
0 mana gentleman, perhaps-promise
me one thing: if you survive, to forward
this to the French general, and tell him
isl, him Here his speech failed him;
but with last effort he drew from his
breast locket and q golden chain. and,
4trusting them into my hands, fell bac-:
lifeless and cold"
With tremulous effort he opened his
dress and drew forth chain and locket
which had lain concealed upon his heart.
At that moment q convulsion ran through
his frame, and, with deep groan, be sank
back upon the bed.
His hand still held the locket. White
rs marble, Blanche loosened his fingers
and took it from him, and held it up to
the Light. Her head went round, her
eyes dazzled, but with the strength of
despair she pressed the spring and made
It open.
CIV of terror burst from her lips. She
Eaw her mothers likeness-side by side
with her own as little child. 1t was the
gold medallion which she had given to her
father the night before he went away.