Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1897-03-02

are not AWAIT THAT l<tloy anu
overcome with fatigue, slept on their
posts last night and were discovered by
the general and are now confined in
the guardhouse. Lucky for you, Pierre,
that you did not close your eyes, or
their doom would certainly have been
yours. Yes, and Jean, the young re-
cruit. as he is called, was found lurk-
ing near the outposts, and can give
no good account of himself. There
are strong suspicious that he is IN
league with the Italians. AS yet there
is no proof against him, but neverthe-
less he, too. is confined in the guard
house"
Pierre stood like one perfectly
stunned
Jean suspected of being a spy.
Jean, who in saving Pierre's lie,
had endangered his own.
You may we'll be overcome by the
intelligence To think that stripping
who looked so innocent, should be
double-eyed villain and traitor? TINS
afternoon his trial will be resumed.
One thing looks mighty bad for the
youth, he has a smart flesh wound on
his right arm, which had to be attended
to as soon as he was brought in. The
surgeon affrms that it comes from
one of our own sharp-shooters, ana
must have been done a few hours be-
fore he saw him. | do not see what is
to save him, any more than Leroy and
Fontain," said his companion.
Pierre went into his tent.
His mind was in a tumult OF fear
and anxiety
Gradually his head sank down upon
his knapsack, and in dreams Jean came
| to him and whispered words OF peace
| and comfort.
DE Laneau, you are detailed to ap-
pear before the general at once" said
an aid. who stood over him. You are
one of the men who are appointed to
carry out the sentence of death on the
two delnquents."
| And the man departed.
Great God! | of all others! /, who
have been guilty of the same charge!
| Rather face ten thousand bullets
"To arms! To arms" rang through
the camp.
In a moment every man had sprung
| to his feet and fallen into line.
On all sides the enemy poured in
their deadly charge.
Again they pushed forward, only to
see their ranks thinned.
Come on, come on shouted Cen
eral lie Grande; THE mountain pass is
ours and we shall hold it"
At the head If his followers he rode.
"Scarcer' Kissed a voice near lie
Grande, and dusky hand held in a
vice-like grasp the horses reins.
Die, dog OF a Frenchman! he cried
in his native tongue, as his saber was
lifted on high, when shot shattered
the arm of The Italian, who fell back
biting the dust at Pierre's feet.
The general paused 10 give gratefu
glance at his preserver.
From every rock, from every crag
the enemy, with fixed bayonets, seemed
to spring, when suddenly cry rose
from the assailants: Emperor
L'Empereur!' who. panic-stricken
could see how they were hemmed in b!
the advancing troops, which had 81
suddenly appeared upon them.
Though the invaders fought will
desperation, they were completed!
routed and cut down.
DE Laneau," said Gen. lie Grande
to you owe my life. Your promotion i
we'll deserved. l can never reward yo,
for your devotion to me. but whateve
YOU may wish. do not hesitate to asl
for it; believe me, it is granted al
!. ready"
81 beg. | petition for the pardon O
Private Leroy and Fontain."
The brow of the officer contracted.
"They merit shame, ignominy
DEATH" he said. They must be mad
an example of. would as soon thin
of releasing Jean Mountjoy, who, with
out doubt, has more than once carrie
news to the enemy. Nothing can say
him."
ION my life, / refute the charg
brought against young Jean. 1t wa
to save me from sleeping at my pos
that he disobeyed orders, and wa
caught providing about. Punish me
you will but let Jean go free
: Corporal advance. Let the prisoner
! Jean Mountjoy, be brought hither."
E With measured tread the young ma
? was conducted to the generals pres
: ence.
His ripe, full lips looked more Xix
J.. those of grieved child, but there wa
!, nothing on the whole face TO denot
either treachery or deceit.
Jean Mountioy, if you can answe
9 one question to my satisfaction 20
: will be free. Inform me how you re
T? ceived the wound which even now
1 far from being healed" said Gen. L
= Grande.
t The rich color mounted to Jean
], face.
Pierre exclaimed
= Il see ii all / must have caused u
your suffering. 1t was I" he continue
S addressing the general, who. mistaf
ing Jean for some of the enemy's nun
!, erous spies, discharged the content
of my musket on his approach, and "
r he continued, amid his intense snffel
e ing, to watch over me-"
o 1T is enough. Henceforth you are
+" "Vivienne! Vivienne" exclaime
e Pierre. as Jean Mountjoy was claspe