Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-01-29
The ouiyerinc sunbeams danced ON

!ne QulVcrlnS SnnDeAmS .uanCcu OH
the river as it ran silver in the light.
On the solitary level of the corn fields,
the hot rays poured their morning
brilliancc. The birds hidden in deli
cious shadow. poured out their songs
of welcome. The tall lindens and the
straight solemn rows Of poplars
swayed gently in the cool early
breeze: everywhere blazed the scarlet
peoples, tho gold OF the corn, the
flame OF tulips, the hues OF roses.
Pierre HerOuX stood and looked ut
it all in the glow OF the summer dawn.
while the song OF lark thrilled the
silence with melody, and echoed his
hearts own music. His lips smiled,
his eyes Frightened, as he looked at
the beautiful picturesque old house
tho house where to-day his wife would
be brought to reign henceforth in her
gay girlish beauty as the idol OF his
life.
While he s'ood there thinking these
thoughts, dreaming these dreams. the
stiffness around was broken by the
beat OF drums, the sound OF marching
feet. He started and looked away
across tho level golden fields to the
white winding road beyond. He saw
the CLEAN of color, a flash OF muskets.
a cloud of dust between tho towering
hedges and the slender poplar stems.
Nearer and nearer they came, march
ing steadily up to the mill entrance.
He moved forward and stood before
them.
Whom do you soek?" he asked
"A descrter." the officer in COM
mand answered him. ''Hc escaped
last night. Have you seen aught OF
himp"
.No." was tho firm surprised an
swcr.
"Well, see you harbor him not.
There is price on his head, and who
ever concoals, Or abets his escape, be-
comes amendablo to the law. Here is
u description OF him.
He tossed u paper to the young man
his eyes meanwhile searching tho or
charl grounds and tho old mill itself
as if for the fugitive.
ado you wish omakc search?" ask
cd Leroux. You are quite ut liber-
ty to do so. as. to tell the truth, am
the last man in the world to show
pity TO deserter. I sympathize too
strongly with Franco now to pardon
any son who is base enough to f0rsake
her in the struggle"
"You speak WE'LL" said tho officer,
glancing approvingly at the strong,
well-kn.t frame and handsome figure of
the young miller. "Why do you not
lend you aid in her service?"
The young man looHel round at his
posse siops reg. etfully.
IL am not at liberty 20 do so. My
} ra o have been sons of toll for many
generations past. This mill is my
heritage; besides"
} "What bes. des?"
A soft sweet smile crossed Pierre's
} grave face; his eyes frightened with
exulting 10Y.
al am about to be married." he
; said
, "Oh, a good enough reason for
, stopping at home. But take c IRE you
are not called out. Things look very
black now. The devilish Prussians
are hitting US hard. They say that
e ;ery man tit for service will be sum-
: moned ere long"
: The bronzed face OF the young mil
l Ter paled perccptibly. The golden
l notes OF the dancing air quivcred be-
! fore his eyes, the song of the rising
3 lark lost its ringing music. Into his
} heart q fear crept. not for himself. but
Q for her. the fair girl-wife. whom he
might be called upon to leave. even
! in the first sweet days OF welded bliss.
ut is as France Wills" he said; and
a then turned and led the way through,
0 the shadowy orchard grounds. and
into the quaint old dusky chambers OF
: the mill.
The search was In vain, Of course.
. No likelihood was there OF Pierre
F.. Leroux harboring n de erter-a Gre l.
a ture whom his bold coul ageous nature
> held in adherence. whom his tongue
would have dashed with fey scorn
Y and stung with fierce rebuke. The
Q soldiers accepte his offer of refresh
t ments. The olicer fingered q short
VIII 10 longer, atting and laughing
n good humo.edIy with his frank hone },
d eyed no It; and then the whole party
!, left, went away tn ough the green
e meadows. and along the wind ing tield
y paths. and so into The high road once
C more. Pierre Leroux w-tchcd them
e shad ng his eye, from the sunlight.
t Nv i'll they find him, wonderp' he
= said to himself. "He deserves his
n fate If they do"
G Good NOR ow. Pierre Leroux. "sa 1
@ a voice be ide him. II have brough,
y pre- ent for thy wife that is to be-
G l am here beside g., am l nol?"
II He turned round.
v "What, is it you. Rose Michel?"
d LAY, / have brought some flower,
- for thy bridal chamber 1t is pool
n gift, but have mono other to offer.
o 1.-The gift is welcome he said kind
d ly. "Will you go wi hin?"
}. Presently. We're those soldier