The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1895-03-04

seemed as II he had lived that moment
over somewhere before, and his heart
yearned toward bis fellow prisoner 90 the
heart of childless man Of middle age
sometimes goes out to young man Of 30.
II Marie and he had married, he thought,
they might have had son Just like this
boy. How he would have loved that son,
have trained him up, have taught him,
have guided him the right way, till his
mind was as steady, his limbs as supple,
his heart as true as this lads must bel
Derrimun rose, and advancing toward
Moncour took up tho letter and photo
graph that had now dropped from the sleep
er's norvoless hand. He looked at the pic
ture first
Marie'sl Hersi Ho should have known,
though, at time like this, with death
perhaps within two hours march, men
arc surprised at nothing. No wonder, too,
that the lads face had haunted him. 1t
was Maries again. The face in the por.
trait showed burrows and lines Of care and
trouble, but 1t was still the sweet face he
had loved.
He looked at the letter xwas full of
lovo and affection, conjuMng her only
child to do his duty to his country. com.
mending him to the mercy of God and the
protection of the Blessed Virgin, telling
and tho light of her life, and that she
prayed night and day that he might BIO ro-
stored to her.
Tho elder man, his purposeless irreso-
luto plans changed now, kissed the por-
trait and letter before he replaced them,
and then bent over gently and put his lips
tenderly to the forehead Of the still sleep
ing lad.
At daybreak file of men halted outsids
tho tent, and an officer entered and beck
oned the two prisoners. They drew them.
selves up erect and strobe away into the
presence Of the general.
Tho bearded German smiled as they en-
tered and selected from tho heap of chess.
men before him the two bishops, which he
placed in helmet Ho then undid the
lining and arranged 1t In such a manner
as to cover the whole Of the inside and con-
ceal the two pieces
The black bishop gives death, the
white life. You" he turned to Derriman,
"as the elder and the senior officer, havo
tho privilege Of drawing first. Pray do
So"
Derriman plunged his hand into the
helmet, gazing steadfastly into the eyes of
the German. Then he suddenly withdrew
1t and looked at the piece 1t held.
"Sapristl' ho cried 1ercely, clinching
the piece tightly In his hand, sit is
deathr'
The German placed the helmet, with
the inner part still covered and the other
piece still in it, on the table. Monsieur"
ho said, ait is tho fortune Of war. Your
comrade will be duly exchanged or sent to
Berlin. Sergeant you hnvo your orders"
The two prisoners were led out into the
air again, and Moncour spoke.
Captain" no said, "goodby. God
bless you. Is there any message can give
to any dear one?"
Il have none, my bravo boy. Tell your
mother that you met INC. 1 knew her
once.
The two men grasped hands, and then
Moncour was torn roughly away and
Trevor Derriman left standing, his left
hand clinchod, his right hanging by his
side, face to face with his death.
1t soon came. The word of command
rang out sharply in the cold morning air:
man, the bold, the brave the resolute, the
merciful, lay dead, with his CLASSY eyes
turned toward the plying heaven, whittier
his soul had flown.
Moncour advanced to pay his last re-
spects to his comrade, and as he knelt by
his side the left hand, hitherto clinched,
unfolded slowly as the rigor Of death took
possession of the body. Moncour bent over
to look at the symbol Of death.
The piece that lay in the cold, notion
less hand was the white bishop. - Ell.
change. .