San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-06-09

The Dor ICas full Of jelcclS.
In small private room in the palace
of the Tuileries, in Paris, two men were
sitting. One, young gentleman about
five and twenty years of age, occupied
desk near the window that looked out
upon broad, inclosed court, where
sentinel in blue coat and red pegtop
trousers, was pacing his beat. There
was a quantity of papers on the desk,
and the young gentleman was writing
summary of the contents of these on the
backs of them and filing them away. A
light snow was falling outside and melt
ing as it fell, for the winter of eighteen
hundred and sixty-nine was still hnger-
ing in the first months of eighteen hun
bred and seventy.
The other parsonage in the room was
a man of mature years. He was barely
of middle height, but his figure was COM
pact, and his shoulders broad and thick.
His face, somewhat feshy about the
jaws, and of dull complexion, had an
aquiline nose, carefully waxed mus
tache and pointed imperial. The eyes
were wide apart, and the heavy lids
dropping over them gave them a SOM
nolent aspect; yet, examining them more
intentively, you would perceive that
they were eyes that nothing escaped
-watchful, penetrating, impenetrable
eyes. For the rest this countenance bore
the marks of anxiety and ill health;
there were heavy lines beneath the eyes,
the forehead was furrowed and the hair
was thin on its conical summit. Withal
both face and figure had a certain dig
nifty and power as to one accustomed to
being unquestioningly obeyed, The man
wore black broadcloth coat, white
waistcoat and gray trousers, Diagonally
across his breast lay broad, blue sash.
He was leaning back in his chair smok-
ing cigarette, and seemingly plunged
in meditation.
A knock came at the door. The
younger man rose, walked to the door
and opened it, After brief colloquy
he turned and said in French: Sire,
there is a person here who desires an au-
dience. He says
"What name, Raoul:' interrupted the
other.
"Solange, sire"
very good. He comes by appoint
ment. Let him enter. And you, my
dear Raoul, will take your place behind
the thin partition during the interview.
L hope to be able to trust this man, but
it will be necessary to take precaution."
The young man bowed, at the same
time throwing open the door to admit
the visitor, and himself passing out and
closing it behind him. The newcomer
on entering made military salute, and
then stood, cap in hand, with his eyes
fixed on the inscrutable visage before
him. He was near fifty years of age, of
vigorous physique, with thick, mus
cular neck, black hair cropped short,
heavy black eyebrows and fierce mus
tache He was plainly clad, but though
his dress was that of civilian he had
the bearing of soldier.
Captain Maurice Solange," said the
gentleman with the cigarette, you and
l became acquainted some years since at
the battle of Solferino. You were then
a private in the Twenty third regiment.
l had lost my aid-de-camp, and intrust-
ed you with dispatch to General Ton
taine, ON our left wing. On your way
to him you were wounded in the breast
with a rife ball. You delivered the DIS
patch, however, and returned with his
answer. In handing it to me you fell
from loss of blood. had you taken to
my tent and placed in charge of my best
surgeons. On your recovery you were
promoted to be corporal"
Captain Solange bowed low. You
remember it, sireE'
"Oh, very well. also remember that
on several subsequent occasions | COM
mitted to you the execution of or
ders involving danger and demanding
prudence, faithfulness and courage. For
your successful performance of these
duties you were promoted to be sergeant
and finally captain. From year to year
l have not lost sight of you. My uncle
and myself have found no better serv-
ants than among those who have sprung,
like you, from the ranks. l now desire
you to afford pe 2 reason for bestowing
To Be Continued