The St. Johns herald., 1898-10-15
HIS WORD OF HONOR.


the whole world. If, like me- you were just going to die, your last thoughts would be of her. And you would bless the man who gave the opportunity of seeing her once more, for the aSt time. Mon commandant, do for me what you would pray others to do for you. Give me one hours liberty, and will give you my word of honor to return and give myself up. Is life itself worth prom iSe brokenT
 While he was speaking the command ant was pacing to and fro, tusging vic iOusly at his mustacbe, and evidently struggling hard to appear unInoved.
 My word,' h. murmured. ''This urchin talks of 'my word as though he were Knight of the Round Table"
 He stopped abruptly in front of his prisoner and asked, in a severe tone, Your nameY
 "Victor Oury."
 "Age?'
 Sixteen on the 18th of July next"
 ''Where does your mother live"
 "At Belleville."
 What made you to leave her to fol- low the Commune 7"
 For the thirty sous chiefly; one must eat! Then the neighbors and my com rades threatened to shoot me if I did not march with them. They said I was tall enough to carry a musket. My mother was afraid of them, and wept and prayed"
 You have no father, thenY'
 "He was killed"
 And where"
 "At Bourget, fighting for his coun- try"
 The commandant turned toward his staff as though be would consult them at a glance. All seemed to interest and pity.
 "Well, then, it Is understood" the of icer said, gravely, after 8 moments reflection. You can go and see your mother. You have given me your word of honor to come back in an hour. C'est bien. 1 shall know then whether you are a man of character or simply cowardly boy. l give you until even ing. If you are not here at 8 o'clock shall say that you are q braggart, and care more for life than honor. Allons! Quick marchr'
 'I thank you, mon commandant. At eight I will be here
 You are sure?'
 Certain"
 'We shall see when the time comes."
 The boy would have thrown his arms about the officer in his wild joy and gratitude, but the latter repelled him gently.
 :'No, not now" he said This even- ing, if you return, I will embrace you in front of the firing party" he added, grimly. of with you"
 Victor ran like Q hare. The officers smiled as they watched him disappear. Twenty minutes later he knocked at his mothers doOr, and the neighbor who was tending her opened it to him. She started and exclaimed when she saw him, for like every one else, she believed him dead He would have rushed to his mothers room, but the woman stopped him.
 'GO in quietly" she said, in a low voice; "she is asleep. She has been very i'll since you went away, but she is lit tie better now. The doctor said yes-- terday that if she could sleep she would soon get stronger; she must not be awakened. Poor thing she will be glad to see you, for she has asked for you so often. When sine was not calling you she was praying the bon Dieu to preserve you ana to restore peace in the land. Helas! one would say He had abandoned us, the bon Dleu, and let men do just as they like It is awfulp'
 But, Victor, impatient, thought he heard his name called in faint voice. He moved on tip-toe toward his moth CTS bed. He had not been deceived-the sick woman's eyes were opened wide.
 "Victor! my boy" she cried, in her thin, weak voice. Without q word he lay down beside her, and her arms closed round him hungrily
 And now the boy who had faced death so impassively could do naught but sob. Now, in his mothers arms, he became a child once more, timid, de- spairing.
 The sick woman, who seemed to gain strength from his presence, sought in vain to console him.
 "Why do you distress yourself so, my