Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-03-26

was lne privilege even OH
"Mein Gott.' shouted the officer
furiously. dare you be insolent! |
Know you not have full power here,
and could sweep such vermin Us you
off the face of the earth in two sec
ondspn
IL do not doubt monsieur's power
or will-to do it"
Come, come laughed the colonel,
ashamed of his momcntary loss OF
temper Don't let us fall to carte
and fierce in this fashion. ! wish to
be your friend. | have heard some
thing Of you that interests me-.
Monsieur is pleased to jest. | have
neither friend nor acquaintance who
should have mentioned my name to
him. was the calm response.
'Perhaps you are more fortunate
than you imagine. 1t was IA woma.i
who spoke of YOU
Despite his efforts at self-control,
Pierre could not keep the hot flush
from his face-could not still these
heavy, sutfocating throbs of his heart
at these words.
81 am right, | see" resumed the
colonel. 1.-The cause that sent you to
the wars. my friend. is not hard to
guess. A woman had a hand in that,
or | am much mistaken"
al am at loss to surmisc how my
private affairs can possibly interest
monsieur" His questioner frowned
angrily.
doubtless you are. But there is
romance in most lives. / have mine,
| would fain hear yours
The leaf is folded down to be open
cd at no mans bidding"
| "Nor woman's either?" his tormen-
tor persisted.
| 81 have told monsieur that though
obedience is soldiers duty. his pri-
vate affairs are not subjects for an Off
GERS inquistve fancy to pry into"
"And say they are, if it suits the
officer to make them SO. Listen, fell
low! You are here a prisoner, alone
and friendless, at the mercy OF your
foes. You are but unit among
many. Your fate none will know, IN
less we choose
| ~
powerlessness, or contrast it with your
privilege of tyranny. monsieur" asked
the cold calm voice of the listening
prisoner.
"Gott in Himmel. This makes me
angry, and ashamed all in one" NUT
tered the colonel wrathfully. 'Wil
nothing make him speak,"
"'Listen" he resumed presently
cit is not we'll for you to use youl
tongue thus freely. Remember have
it in my power to make you pay dear
ly for your insolence. DC
you know that the woman 20,
love is here, in this city
that she and l are we'll &c
quainted-that it is for her sake
have sought you out--that to please
her ] would do you ascrvice? DO 20,
know this?'
Every drop OF blood seemed to leav
, the bronzed and patient face. HI
leant with sudden dizzy faintnes
, against the wooden pillar beside him
Leopold Won Brandstein smiled sarcas
, tically. Il have touched youat last,
, he said.
, The man drew himself up with
! soldiers instinct-a brave mans sell
0 control. II should be sorry to dout
s monsieur's word" he said, in a voic
t cold, stern and passionless. "But an
9 interest either of man or woman in m
Y fate or fortune is alike unsought an
: undesired by me-"
? ''YOur desire is very singular"
: 1T may be-
"Are you content to wait for the is
, sue Of the war? Have you friend
: who would ransom yor?"
n Il have no friends"
: ga wife. mother, sister, perhaps?
A sudden SILVER ran through til
). strong, well-knit frame.
g II had mother-she is dead"
It '.And you feel no desire to kno
s who is interested in your welfal
n here?'
That she is so interested, an
4 could speak of it to you. is in itself q
"a insult" he flashed out with sudde
m fury. The colonel smiled, we'll plea
~ ed that he had at least aroused SON
~ warmth of feeling beneath that pa
N sionless repose.
q "How has she offended you?"
"a asked. The man was silent.
.'Ah, we'll, it matters not" VI
n Brandstein said, with covert insolenc
= what you do not choose 10 tell 81
"a will. Now 60"
K Without a word or glance, Pier
" raised his hand, gave the salute, OIL
sr departed.
t. For few moments the colon
g paced restlessly up and down Il
e guard-room, then summoned to h
presence the officer to whom the il
!, mediate superintendent and char
! ofthe French prisoners had been give
"a "Niedmann, he said carelessly, "the
40 is fellow among the crew there
4 Pierre Leroux by name-who is DO
Of insolent and foolhardy. Keep q STR
III IL L..