The Red Cloud chief., 1897-09-24

time. had often thought .'eSretfuliv q
the honesty and sweetness Of Bau.
croche. Gillct knew his .ownspeople
looked upon him DISAPPOINTMENT for
remaining SO quietly at home. instead
Of going to fight for his country. aud
he determined to win. by enc bCld
strike, their appreciation and gratitude.
SO, taking n rifle. he hid himself in the
bushes at the roadside IN ;he forest.
and when the advance guard passed he
fired and killed one soldier. The re-
suit of the deed was not long delayed.
Two hours aftcrward a Prussian bat
talon occupied the village AMI the in
habitants, men and women. were or
dcrcd to assemble In the public square.
In fairly plain French the commandant
addressed them:
One of you has shot one of our SOL
dicrs. | give you one hour to produce
the murderer. The village Is sur
rounded and no one can leave. II I'm an
hour the assassin Is moi In my hands |
will set fire to your village at It's four
corners. Now 30 home. and at the first
beat of the drum come back here"
The peasants turned away. asking
each other In frightened whispers who
had fired the shot. Bancroche entered
the inn of Goa d'Argcnt, and as soon
as he saw the white. fearful face Of
Gillct he said. b%rusQucly:
1T was YOU"
Gillct tried to answer, hut Bancroche
interrupted him authoritatively:
Don't take the trouble to lie: II was
you"
Marietta and two or three others,
who heard his words. stopped in star
tied surprise.
What would they do to him IL they
knew it?' asked one.
They would shoot him. And II
they do not know II they will burn the
village"
All were silent. terrified. except Gil
let, who cried, with chattering teeth:
In the name of pity. do not give me
up
Wretch, would you have us all
burned?"
AT this instant the drum sounded.
Listen said Bancroche, rising;
listen n moment. You. Sylvan Gil
let, must no die. for you have a wife.
But neither must the village be burned.
| think | see "A way. Stay where you
are, Gillet, and you others. swear to
keep silent. | will take care of the
And they all departed, leaving
Gillet.
who is guilty?' cried the officer, in
a terrible voice.
Bancroche made a step forward and
said quietly, 1T was l."
YOU said the officer. "a %cripple!"
THAT does not prevent my firing a
gun"
Your name?"
Simon Martin, but on account OF my
leg ! am called B~ancroche."
You confess that you killed the SOL
der"
Yes"
do you know you will be shot?"
II do"
The commander could not but ad-
mire the calmness Of Bancroche's
speech. The crowd listened. breath
less, amazed that Bancroche, known
to be so peaceable. could have fired
the shot, but glad, nevertheless, that
the village would be saved.
Eight men: behind the church,"
the officer.
At this moment Mariette, forcing her |
way through the crowd, ran toward the
crying, stop! he lies! 1t was
he"
VIVA are you saying?"
IL tell you he is not guilty. It was
he"
Hurry with the man." cried the Of
fcer.
Mariette escaped from the soldiers
who tried to hold her and threw her.
self on her knees before the officer.
Monsieur, ! pray you, do not kill
him! He is innocent! Do not kill
him! oh, | beg you!"
What is he to you?" asked the Of
icer. Your husband. your brother,
father?"
He is Oh, in the name OF God.
10 not kill him! love hint"
The officer burst into a loud laugh.
Then kill me, too" cried Mariette.
But you have done nothing to de-
,crve It,"
She sprang up with a bound and
before him struck him de-
iberately In the face. The soldiers ut
cred a cry Of rage.
Seize the woman. also!" cried the
'ficer furiously.
1--WE will die together" said Marietta,
herself beside the cripple.
Come, Bancroche, ] love you"
They were shot behind the church.
The soldiers dug a grave in the ceme-
airy and buried them together, mar
led in death. The village OF Saint
.aoroao uau mt b,rnad