The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1896-10-02

sation against gentleman whose rep
utation is so we'll known
The individual who had called out
had never been to the club before, and
did not know NJ. de Mertens at all.
We had all been standing round the
table close to each other, and on seeing
another player put his hand into my
hat, it was very natural that the man
should have thought it his duty to
warn me. On hearing my explanation
he apologized most humbly to M. de
Mertens, and several of the acquaint-
anccs of the latter gathered round and
expressed their regret that such an in
suit should have hcen offered him.
"We then continued our play, and
NJ. de Mertens soon Gfter left the club.
Three days passed, and 1 heard moth
ing more of the young man. In shield
ing him us had done, my first tbs>ught
had been of his father. and had deter
mined to save from disgrace the name
of the brave soldier of Magenta. OF
course, could quite understand that
the young man should now shrink
from seeing me again, but still it struck
me as rather strange that in some way,
either direct or indirect, he did not at
tempt to express his thanks.
Zone evening, however, just as | was
going out to pay some visits, my order
ly informed me that lady wished to
see me. went into the drawing
and there 1 found a woman of about 40
years of age. She was very dignified-
looking, and there was an open, hon
est expression about her face which
fascinated me.
"T am Madame de Mertens,' she said,
simply. My son told me everything
about the affair at the club, and l have
come to thank you with all my heart
for having preserved for us intact the
honor of our name
'Madame-,' 1 began; but she in
terrupted me in her emotion and nerv-
BUSINESS.
"'My son had got entangled in vari-
Gus ways, and in desperation had taker
to play. 1t appears he had lost every
penny he possessed that night You
know the rest, alasl'
81 felt very much embarrassed, for
lllc pun llloGllSA AlCi W uNo w iDAN ~
witness. She was still standing there
in front of me, her face was deadly
pale, and the tears were trembling on
her long dark eyelashes.
"'He is young, madame; you must
not take it to heart so,' 1 stammered.
1T was just moments weakness. l
will see your son, and
"'No, captain she said, shaking her
head, sadly, he is no longer here
he has enlisted, and is already
on his way with the regiment ="
We had all been listening attentively
to Capt. Joubert's story, and when he
stopped speaking there was silence for
few minutes.
"And what happened to M. de Mer-
tens, captain?" asked one of the group
did you ever hear?"
"He is dead. Six months ago
I received letter from Kelung-a pitt
full little letter-written with very pale
ink, and on a sheet of paper that was
all crumpled and yellow with age
There were only few lines for me tc
read. I know them by heart. They
were as follows:
"I am mortally wounded y
Admiral Courbet has just brought me
the cross; but I am dying
am sending it to you, my POOR cross
i for you saved me, and should
like you to wear it ~
''This is why, my friends, instead of
wearing the decoration which I re-
ceived from the chancellor, you always
see me with the sergeant's cross which
poor Mertens sent me. Poor boy! To
think that he started as thief, and
died a hero's death at Kelung."-
Strand Magazine.