The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1894-01-27
VOL. XXIX.-NO. 13.

and picking it up, laid it by my hand The
light from the lamp shone full on the in
scription. He uttered an exclamation, and
picked the medallion up again. looked
at him in astonishment. His face was
flushed and eager; he stared at me with
wide-open eyes.
Monsieur r he gasped-"monsieur
For the love of Heaven, tell me-this med
al, where did you yet it?''
"The medal?' | said. "0h, got it
some years ago in England
"But where ?" he said. Where, mon-
sieuf? All, do not triAe with me-tell me
where. For, see you, monsieur. am Jules
Malan p
1 looked at him wonderinglys This,
then, was the Jules over whom the little
Frenchman had waxed so eloquent on the
racecourse at Doncaster
$50 you are Jules y said "Then you
are the son of the man who gave me that
medal 2"
"And you are my fathers benefactor, :
he cried. at was you of whom he told us
that day when he came home from the
race
'.Well, this is strage' said l. But
come, tell me something about your father
Is he back in his native France Is he
well? l have often thought of him. .
"Alas, sir. my dear father is dead, and
my mother also. But let me tell you've
prospered in England, for my father had
money left soon after your meeting with
him, and he secured free pardon for his
political offences, and we returned to Paris
We were very happy, monsieur, until last
year, and then my parents died They
never saw me in my uniform" he added
with sad smile, as he turned the bronze
medallion over and over in his fingers
"Ah, monsieur, how well | remember win
ming this at the school in your foggy Eng
land My father used often to talk of
you and wonder if you preserved his me
mento. See, thou, Jules, he would say,
'if ever thou shouldst meet my benefactor
and canst serve him, do it for my sake.
And now | have met you, monsieur, and [
would help you-and l cannot"
"Never mind, said 1; perhaps your
colonel will see reason in the morning"
He shook his head at that, and relapsed
into silence. For a long time no one spoke
The two soldiers nodded on the long settle
but Jules and | were wide awake. He
kept looking wistfully at me; | for my part
found it impossible to sleep. Somehow, [
could not think the fierce old colonel meant
to shoot me, but the mere idea was bad
enough to howl over
Morning came-gray, cold cherries.
As the bugles sounded outside Jules and
his men marched me into the celonel's
presence The old militaire was as stern
and unbending as on the night before. He
eyed ME keenly.
"Well, Mr.. Spy" said he. ''do you ac-
cept my offer of last night?'
My heart began to thump violently,
'No, sir," | answered.
"Then you will be shot at once. Lieute-
nant-'
But Jules suddenly interrupted him.
"No, no, no, my colonel Y he cried, throw
ing his arms about me- 'No--no-it is
my fathers benefactor Behold !"
He held up the bronzs medallion. The
colonel stared at us as if we had gone mad.
"What's this ?" said he "Speak, jules
here is some mystery
Jules told the story as only French
man could tell it. When he finished, the
old militaire shook my hand, embraced me,
and bade me go my way. ave are not
ungrateful, we French, said he naively.
l said farewell to him and to Jules, and
within an hour regained my quarters at
Bonzonville.
Well, that is long time ago and since
then have often called on Jules Malan
and his pretty wife in Paris. We are
great friends-for there is tie between
us which nothing can ever break. shall
never forget it, nor will those of my friends
who know the history of my carefully
treasured bronze medallion.