The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1897-12-30

arm useless, but / saw what passed near
mel saw very well, though the gray
mist seemed turning red.
Young Leon was the next. A bullet
struck him below the breast just above
the belt, little to the side-a disa-
greeable spot that Strike yourself with
your fist, monsieur, So Just there, and
you will know what mean. I heard
him groan 20 jesuit. and saw. him
throw out both his hands into the air
Then knew what had happened.
In another instant he would fall
backward over his horses launches
and lie on the ground with a Prussian
bullet in his Intervals and his COM
rades' horses trampling the beauty in
his young face. On I went, the blood
trickling down on to my saddle my
teeth gritting together and a pretty
strong resolve in my soul to see some
Prussian fluid very soon.
d" Holy Virgin Jean Joseph Cam
bert's voice reached me through the
screaming and the kissing of the bull
let's. He was speaking grimly. sCour-
age, comrade, he said; you win your
wager, for you ride before me toward
the enemy's line. And, monsieur, it
was SO! Leon ST. Paul had been caught
as he fell, and lay across the saddle of
his rival, supported by his left arm.
"What followed then? You must pic
ture it for yourself, for cannot. Some
of us never reached the hop vines, some
never returned, but those who left us had
Prussian comrades on their journey to
the other world, be sure of that. All, ha,
on that journey good soldier of France
is comforted by the presence Of detest-
ed Prussian, though in life no road is
broad enough for them to travel AMIGA
bly,.
when it was over we returned, and
we three, Cambert, ST. Paul and L; were
still together.
'Cambert bore St. Paul to the place
where M. Vendnme aud Marie Emman-
uel were at work. They were both GOV
cred with blood and sweat. The surgeon
groaned as we brought the youth in, for,
as j have said, he loved st. Paul, but
Marie uttered cry which was hard on
Cambert and made him look more grim
than ever.
was IA NO4y S4CaU 0Cs6OO w PcNA v
company with my right arm, but stood
aside to give young Leon his chance. A
right arm is good friend and sticketh
closer than brother. But even the best
friend is sometimes de trop :~4
The surgeon ripped the garments up
with his scissors and tore them from the
wound, disclosing the white flesh of the
patients body, but just then Leon
reused and tried to drag himself on to
his side, away from the healer's hand,
muttering something thatseemed to inn
ply that, exclusive to the last, he would
not be touched or handled in our pres
ence.
"The surgeon drew back irresolute,
which was indeed strange with mo-
ments SO precious and gaping, wounds
waiting for him on every side.
'fThen it was that the vivandiere
spoke, turning to those who stood with
in the door Of the hut, moved by such
curiosity as men can feel who are used
to scenes of blood. -. -!
"'Go, go, my friends, she said
monsieur must find that bullet, and
this is no place for you. You all have
had mothers, women of France, sisters,
some of you wives or sweethearts.
Retire, / beg. If come to the door Of
the hut and say, My friends, it is the
death here her strong voice broke
then pray-pray for the soul of brave
daughter OF. France,
we who had called the young sol
der comrade and loved or hated him
for his smiling, handsome face cast q
strange look upon the silent figure un
der the Doctors hands We saw with
opened eyes, and every head was bare
in an instant, for patriotism and the
courage which God himself gives some.
times to his weakest commanded ou1
respect as no other earthly attribute
might.
The doctor, with a gasping Sob
turned to us as we drew toward the
door of the hut. I loved the youth, he
said. I find that I have loved our sis
ter. It is well that you should go-sht
wishes it-but courage, my brothers, the
time has not yet come to say of oul
brave comrade in arms-may the sou
of the faithful departed rest in peace,
swell, monsieur, my arm was take1
off and | did we'll enough. They ok
tracted that bullet from young Leon I
body, and the doctor kept it. A bit O
German lead,@of course, but made pre-
cieus by q oountrywoman's blood. They
| moved us to- the house Of wealthy pa
triot, and she lay in the. temporary
ward among the men, but separated b.
a screen. My bed was next to it.
''Cambert came to visit us, cleal
shaven, and not half SO fierce and grin
without his mustache. When he left
he was weeping like child
"One day 1 heard Marie Emmanue
talking to the patient behind the screen
and then ! heard the voice of Leontin'
ST. Paul.
''How shall l face my comrades,
she said 'how meet them, now nj
longer dare to wear the dress In which
they knew mel? 4
And the vivandiere answered: Nee
them, dear friend, as the wife of GU
brave surgeon. He loves you-I hav
said it. Surely such women as you wer
meant to be the mothers Of our futur
heroes. -" o.
"And what became Of Cam ert?''
demanded. = III -
sob, he married, said the old sol
der. He has sons and daughters. Per
haps he married Marie Emmanuel
have. seen his daughter. She is yer,
like Marie. Cora Langlois in New
York Journal
.,y Russia's FQtnres H.
All that Russia requires is a farsight
ed, heroic czar who. comprehendlng tn
needs OF today as Peter the Great di
those OF 200 years ago. shall complet