The Springfield herald., 1897-09-17

dered to assemble in the public square.
In fairly plain French the commandant
addressed them:
"One of you has shot one OF our SOL
diers. I give you one hour to produce
the murderer. The village is sur
rounded and no one can leave. II in an
hour the assassin is not in my hands
will set fire to your village at Its four
corners. Now go 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 Coo d'Argent. and as soon
as he saw the white. fearful face of
Gillet he said, brusQuely:
at was YOU"
Gillet tried to answer, but Bancroche
interrupted him authoritatively:
Don't take the trouble to lie; 1t was
you"
Mariette and two or three others.
who heard his words, stopped in star
tied surprise.
What would they do to him If they
knew it?" asked one.
They would shoot him. And II
they do not know 1t 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 a moment. You, Sylvan Gil
let, must not die. for you have wife.
But neither must the village be burned.
1 think see a way. Stay where you
are. Gillet. and you others, swear to
keep silent. l will take care Of the
rest" And they all departed, leaving
Gillet.
who is guilty." cried the officer. in
terrible voice.
Bancroche made a step forward and
said quietly, at was l."
"You." said the officer. "a cripple!"
THAT does not prevent my firing a
gun"
your name?" o.
Simon Martin. but on account of my
leg l am called Bancroche."
you confess that you killed the SOL
der" .-i...
Yes"
do you know you will be shot?"
II do"
The commander could not but ad-
mire the calmness Of Bancroche's s
speech. The crowd listened. breath
less. amazed that Bancroche, known
to be SO peaceable. could have fred
the shot. but glad, nevertheless. that
the village would be saved.
Eight men: behind the church,"
commanded the officer.
At this moment Mariette, forcing her
way through the crowd, ran toward the
officer crying. stop! he lies! 1t was
not he."
What are you saying?"
"I tell you he is not guilty. 1t was
not he.'
Hurry with the man." cried the Of
hcer.
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'll"
What is he to you?" asked the Of
ficer. your husband, your brother
your father"
He is oh. in the name of God
do not kill him! I love him!"
The officer burst into loud laugh.
Then kill me. too." cried Mariette.
But you have done nothing to de-
serve It,"
She sprang up with bound and
standing before him struck him de.
liberately in the face. The soldiers ut
tered cry of rage. r.
Seize the woman, also!" cried the
officer furiously.
1--WE will die together" said Mariette
placing herself beside the cripple.
Come, Bancroche. love you"
They were shot behind the church.
The soldiers dug grave in the ceme-
tary and buried them together, mar
ried in death. The village of Saint
Georges was not burned.