, 1897-12-17

wager. for you ride before me toward
the enemy's line Aud, monsieur, il
wa 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 l 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 q good soldier Of France
is comforted by the presence Of a 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 ], were
still together.
"Cambert bore St. Paul to the place
where NJ. Vendome aud Marie EmmaD.
uel were at work. They were both cov-
cred with blood and sweat. The surgeon
groaned as we brought the youth in. for,
Us l have said, he loved St. Paul, but
Marie uttered a cry which was hard on
Cambert and made him look more grim
than ever.
Il was in very great haste to part
company with my right arm, but l stood
aside to give young Leon his chance. A
right arm is a good friend and sticketh
closer han a brother. But even the best
friend is sometimes de trop.
THE surgeon ripped the garments up
with his scissors and tore them from the
wound, disclosing the white flesh of the
patients body, but inst then Leon
reused and tried to drag himself on to
his side, away from the healer's hand,
muttering something that seemed to inn
ply that, exclusive to the last, he would
not be touched or handled in our pres
ence.
1.-The surgeon drew back irresolute,
which was indeed strange with mo-
ments SO precious and gaping wounds
waiting for him on every side.
Then 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.
eco, go. my friends she said
u III Via pullCts ouu
this is no place for you. You all have
had mothers, women Of France, sisters,
some of you wives or sweethearts.
Retire, l beg. If l 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 a brave
daughter of France
I'VE who had called the young SOL
der comrade and loved or hated him
for his smiling. handsome face cast a
strange look upon the silent figure I'M
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 our
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. 4 loved the youth, he
said. 1 find that have loved our sis
ter. 1t is well that you should go-she
wishes it-but courage, my brothers, the
time has not yet come to say of our
brave comrade in arms-may the soul
of the faithful departed rest in peace
well, monsieur, my arm was taken
off and did well enough. They ex-
tracted that bullet from young Leon's
body, and the doctor kept it. A bit of
German lead, of course, but made pre-
cious by q Countrywoman's blood. They
moved us to the house of u wealthy pa.
triot, and she lay in the temporary
ward among the men, but separated by
q screen. My bed was next to it.
"Cambert came to visit us, clean
without his mustache. When he left.
be was weeping like a child.
Zone day l heard Marie Emmanuel
talking to the patient behind the screen,
and then I heard the voice of Leontine
St. Paul.
"'How shall | face my comrades,
she said; how meet them. 10Y l no
longer dare to wear the dress in which
they knew me-
And the vivandiere answered: Meet
them, dear friend, as the wife Of our
brave surgeon. He loves you'll have
said it Surely such women as you We're
meant to be the mothers of our future
heroes.
"And what became of Cambert?" l
demanded.
"Oh, he married." said the OLD SOL
der. HE has son and daughters. Per-
haps he married Marie Emmanuel. l
have seen his daughter. She is very
like Marie. Cora Langlois in New
York Journal.