The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-05-24

that".
NJ. Morisot, who had just hooked a bleak,
said: ".And to think that ii will always be
thus, 30 long as there are such things az
governments"
NJ. Salvage stopped him: ''rhe republic
would not have declared war"
NJ. Morisot, in his turn: with kinga we
have foreign wars; with republics we have
civil wars"
Then in a friendly way they began TO dis
cuss politics with the calm, common sense
of reasonable and peace loving men, agree
ing on the one point that no one would ever
be free. And Mont Valerien ~thupdered UNI
ceasingly demolishing with it's cannon balls
French houses, crushing out French lives,
running many a dream, many a Joy, many a
hope deferred, wrecking much happiness,
aud bringing to the hearts of ONE girls,
and mothers in France and elsewhere sor-
rows and suffering which would never have
an end.
TITS nfe.'' said NJ. Morisot.
"SAy rather that it's DEATH" said M.
Salvage.
Thty started, scared out of their lives, az
they felt that someone was walking close
behind them. Turning around they saw
four msn-four tall, bearded men-dressed
as servants i'll livery and wearing fiat caps
upon their heads. These men were cover
ms the Two uSu6TIQeH WIFI TllleH.
The rods dropped from their frightened
hands and t1oated aimlessly down the river.
In an instant the Frenchmen were seized,
bound. thrown into a boat, and ferried over
to tho island.
Behind the house they had thought unin-
habted was a picket of Prussian soldiers.
A hairy giant, who was sitting astride u
chair and smoking a porcelain pipe, asked
them in excellent French if they had had
good sport.
A soldier placed at the feet of the officer
the net full of fish, which he had brought
away with him.
Mot bad, l see, but we hays other fish to
fly. Listen, and dom alarm yourselves.
You are a couple of French spies sent out to
watch my movements, disguised as fisher
men. l take you prisoners and order Won
to be shot. You have fallen into my hands
so much the worse for you. 1t is the for
tune of war. Inasmuch, however, as you
came through the lines you are certainly in
possession Of The password. Otherwise you
could not get back again. Give me the
word and l will let yon co."
The two friends, livid with fear, stood
side by side, their hands %nervously twltch-
ing, but they answered not a . Word naoa
ever know it. You will 60 home quietly
and your secret will go with you. If you
refuse it is death for you both and in
stantly. Take your choice"
They neither spoke nor moved.
The Prussian calmly pointed to the river
and said: "Reflect, in five minutes you
will be at the bottom of that water. l sup
pose You have families"
Mont Valerien Numbered increasingly.
The two Frenchmen stood perfectly still
and silent.
The officer gave an order in German.
Then he moved his chair farther away from
the prisoners and a dozen soldiers drew up
in line twantv nRCaS OFF.
II will give you one minute," he said.
not one second more"
He got up leisurely and approached the
two Frenchmen. He took Morisot by the
arm and said, in an undertone: Quick!
Give me the word. Your friend will know
nothing. l will appear to give way"
M. Morisot did not answer
The Prussian took M. Savage aside and
said the same thing to him.
M. Salvage did not answer.
They found themselves once more side by
side.
The officer gave another order; the SOL
diers raised their guns.
BY accident Morisot's glance fell Upon
the net full of fish on the ground a few
steps off A ray of sunshine lit up their
glittering bodies, and a sudden weakness
over HIM. "Good-by, N. Savage"
he whispered.
Good bye. M. Morisot,'' replied M. Sau-
wage. They pressed each others hands,
trembling from head to foot.
Fire. said the %otficrr.
M. Savage fell dead on his face. M.
Morisot. of stronger build, staggered,
stumbled, and then fell right across the
body of his friend, with his face turned up
ward to the sky, his breast riddled with
balls.
The Prussian gave another order. His
men dispersed for @ moment, returning
with cords and stones. They tied the stones
to the feet of the dend Frenchmen and car
lied them down to the river.
Mont Nalerien Numbered increasingly.
Two soldiers took Morisot by the head
and feet. Two others did the same to Sau-
wage. The bodies swung to and fro, were
launched into space, described a curve and
plunged feet first into the river.
The water bubbled, boiled. then claimed
down, and the little wavelets, tinged with
red. circled gently toward the bank.
The officer, impressive as ever, said: "lt
is the tishes' turn now"
His eye fell upon the gudgeon lying on
the grass. He picked them up and called
out: "Wilhelm." A soldier in a white cap
appeared. He threw the fish toward him.
FRY these little animals for me at once,
while they are still alive and kicking. They
will be delicious"
Then he began smoking again.-Guy de
Maupassant in the Strand Magazine.