The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1897-09-15

the whole world. II. like me. you were
just going TO die. your last thoughts
would be OF her. And you would bless
the man who gave the opportunity OF
seeing her once more. for the last time.
Mon eommandant. do for me what you
would pray others TO do for you. Give
meone hours liberty. and viii give you
my word of honor to return and give
myself up. Is life itself worth a prom
Use brokenf''
While he was speaking the command
ant was pacing to and fro. Juggling vie
iously at his mustache. and evidently
struggling hard 10 appear unmoved.
My word he murmured. This
urchin talks OF my word as though he
were knight of the Round Table,
He stopped abruptly In front OF his
prisoner and asked. In a severe tone,
Your nameT
Victor oury."
"Agey'
sixteen on the 18th of July next"
Where does your mother liye?'
at Believille."
What made you to leave her to fol-
low the Commune?"
For the thirty sous chiefly; one must
eat! Then the neighbors and my com
rades threatened, 10 shoot ME il | did
not march with them. They said l was
tall enough TO carry u musket. Ny
mother WAS afraid of them, and wept
and prayed"
You have no father, then?"
HE was killed" !
"And wherei''
AT Bourget, fighting for his coun-
try"
The commandant turned toward his
staff as though he would consult them
at glance. All seemed TO interest and
pity.
We'll, then, it is understood" the Of
ficer said, gravely, after a moments
reflection. You can go and see your
mother. You have given me your word
of honor to come back in an hour. C'est
bien. l shall know then whether you
are man of character or simply a
cowardly boy. | give you until even.
ing. IL you are not here at 8 O'Clock
| shall say that you are braggart, and
care more for life than honor. Allons
Quick march,
Il thank you, mon commandant. Al
eight | Will be here"
You are sure?"
Certain
Eve shall see when the time comes. .
The boy would have thrown his arms
about the officer In his wild joy and
gratitude, but the latter repealed him
gently.
| No, not now" he said. This even
/ ing, If you return, viii embrace you
in front of the firing party" he added
| grimly. on with you.'
Victor ran like hare. The officer:
smiled as they watched him disappear
Twenty minutes later he knocked a
his mothers door. and the nelghbol
who was tending her opened it to him
She started and exclaimed when she
saw him, for like every one else, she
believed him dead. He would have
rushed to his mothers room, but the
woman stopped him.
Go In quietly" she said, in a low
voice; "she is asleep. She has been very
Ill since you went away, but she is lit
tie better now. The doctor said yes
terday that If she could sleep she woulG
soon get stronger; she must not bt
awakened. Poor thing! she will be GLAD
to see you, For she has asked for yor
| so often. When she was not calling
you she was praying the bon Dieu tC
preserve you and to restore peace in the
land. Helas! one would say He had
abandoned us, the bon Dieu. and lei
men do just as they like. 1t is awful!
But, Victor, impatient, thought he
heard his name called in faint voice
He moved on tip-toe toward his moth
er's bed. He had not been deceived-the
sick woman's eyes were opened wide
Victor! my boyr" she cried, In hel
thin, weak voice. Without word he
lay down beside her, and her arms
closed round him hungrily.
And now the boy who had faced
death so impasslyely could do naught
but sob. Now, in his mothers arms be
became child once more, timid, de.
spairing.
The sick woman, who seemed to gain
strength from his presence, sought In
vain to console him.
why do you distress yourself so. nv