The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1901-09-18

he loved his comrades ana suffered ii
peace and ii silence lest. through him,
they should be led into evil Z
His eyes softened as he heard her,
but the infexibility OF his voice never
altered
g It is useless to argue with me-, be
said briefly. never change a sem
tence.'
But / say that you shall H. As the
audacious words were flung forth she
looked him full in the eyes. while her
voice rang with its old imperious ora
tory. on are a great chief You
gifts and the grandeur of the empire.
but because Of that, because you are as
France in my eyes, swear, by the
name Of France, that you shall see
Justice done to him-after death if you
cannot in life. Do you know who is
he, this man whom his comrades will
shoot down at sunrise as they shoot
down the murderer and the ravisher in
their crimes? He is man who vindi-
Gated a Woman's honor. He is man
who suffers in his brothers place. He
is an aristocrat exiled to a martyrdom.
He is a hero who has never been great
er than he will be great in his last
hour. Read that. What you refuse to
justice and mercy and courage and
guiltIessness you will grant maybe to
your order.
She forced into his hand the written
statement Of Cecil's name and station.
The French marshal glanced his eye
on the fragment carelessly and coldly.
As he saw the words he started and
read on with wondering eagerness.
.Royallieuv he muttered Royal
lieu!' The years had been many since
Cecil and he had met, but not so many
but that the name brought memories
OF friendship with it and moved him
with a strange emotion.
He turned with grave anxiety to Gig
arctic.
You speak strangely. How came
this in your hands?'
Thus: The day that you gave me the
cross saw Princess Corona. | hated
her, and went-no matter. From her
learned that he whom we call Louis
Victor was of her rank, was Of old
friendship with her house, was exiled
and nameless, but for some reason I'M
known to her. She needed to see him.
took the message for her. | sent him
to her. He went to her tent alone, at
night. That was, of course. whence
he came when Chateauroy met him.
doubt not the Black Hawk had some
foul thing to hint of his visit and that
the blow was struck for her-for her!
Well, in the streets Of Algiers | saw
a man with face like his own-dif-
ferent, but the same race, look you.
l spoke to him. taxed him. When
he found that the one whom spoke of
was under sentence of death, he grew
mad. He cried out that he was his
brother and had murdered him-that
it was for his sake that the cruelty Of
this exile had been borne-that if his
brother persisted he would be his de-
stroyer. Then / babe him write down
that paper, and brought it Hther to
you that you might see that | have
uttered the truth. And now is that
man to be killed like mad beast
whom you fear? Is that death the re-
ward France will give for Zaraila?'
AS he heard he was yisibly moved.
He remembered the felon's shame that
in years gone by had fallen across the
banished name Of BERTHE Cecil The
history seemed clear as crystal to him
seen beneath the light shed on it from
other days.
His hand fell heavily on the gun
carriage.
Heavens! It was his brothers sin,
not his!'' The marshal swung round
with a rapid sign to staff officer.
Pens and ink instantly! My brave
child, what can we say to you? l will
send an aid to arrest the execution Of