The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-12-30
sation against a gentleman wLose.rep-

sation against gentleman wLose.rep-
utation is 50 well known
1.-The individual who had called out
had never been to the club before, and
did not know M. de Mertens at all.
We had ii been standing round the
table close to each other, and on seeing
another player put his hand into my
hat, it was very natural that the man
should have thought it his duty to
warn me. On hearing my explanation
he apologized most humbly to NJ. de
Mertens. and several of the acquaint-
ances of the latter gathered round and
expressed their regret that such an in
suit should have been offered him.
"We then continued our play, and
NJ. de Mertens soon after left the club.
Three days passed, and I heard moth
ing more of the young man. In shield
ing him as l had done, my first thought
had been Of his father, and I'D deter
mined to save from disgrace tae name
of the brave soldier of Mag nta. Of
course, I could quite understand that
the young man should now shrink
from seeing me again, but still it struck
me as rather strange that in some way,
either direct or indirect, he did not at
tempt to express his thanks.
Zone evening, however, just as was
going out to pay some visits, my order
ly informed me that lady wished to
see me. went into the drawing-room,
and there I found a woman of about As
years of age. She was very dignified-
looking, and there was an open, hon
est expression about her face which
fascinated me.
81 am Madame de Mertens,' she said,
simply. My son told me everything
about the affair at the club, and have
come to thank you with all my heart
for having preserved for us intact the
honor of our name
'Madame-,' began; but she in
terrupted me in her emotion and nerv
BUSINESS.
'''My son had got entangled in vari
Gus ways, and in desperation had taken
to play. It appears he had lost every
penny he possessed that night. You
know the rest, alas'
81 felt very much embarrassed, for
the poor mothers grief was terrible to
witness. She was still standing there
in front Of me, her face was deadly
pale, and the tears were trembling OH
her long dark eyelashes.
"'He is young, madame; you must
not take it to heart So stammered.
1T was just a moments weakness. I
will see your son, and
"'No, captain she said, shaking her
head, sadly, he is NO longer here
4 he has enlisted, and is already
on his way with the regiment
We had all been listening attentively
to Capt. Jcubert's story, and when he
stopped sneaking there was silence for
few minutes.
"And what happened to M. de Mer-
tens, captain?" asked one of the group.
Odd you ever hear?"
HE is dead. = 4 Six months ago
1 received letter from Kelung-a pitt
full little letter-written with very pale
ink, and on sheet of paper that was
all crumpled and yellow with age.
There were only a few lines for me to
read. I know them by heart. They
were as follows:
&c am MORALLY wounded 4
Admiral Courbet has just brought me
the cross; but I am dying.
] am sending it to you, my poor cross
y X for you saved me, and I should
like you to wear it $ ~
"This is why, my friends, instead of
wearing the decoration which I re-
ceived from the chancellor, you always
see me with the sergeant's cross which
poor Mertens sent me. Poor boy! To
think that he started as a thief, and
died hero's death at Kelung."-
Strand MAGAZINE