The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1901-07-11
"WGit, IN the name of FrGnce!'

w wv, wv UtC ICCtUtG " FTCG7LCG!'
speak to you and the truth I can never
tell to you. Do not let her know 1t
might give her pain. have loved her.
That is useless, like all the rest Give
me your hand once more, and then
let them do their duty. Turn your head
away. It will soon be overv'
The clear voice Of the officer in COM
mand rang shrilly through the stiffness:
"Monseigneur, make your farewell.
I can wait no longer
The Seraph started and flung himself
round with the grand challenge of a
lion struck by puny spear His face
flushed crimson; his words were chok->
ed in his throbbing throat.
LAS 1 live, you shall not fire! I for
bid you! swear by my honor and the
honor Of England that he shall not die
like a dog. He is Of my country; he
is of my order. will appeal to your
emperor. He will accord me his life
the instant ask it. Give me only an
hours reprieVe-a few moments space
to speak to your chiefs-to seek out
your generaP'-
1T is impossible, monseigneur. Sub
nit to the execution of the law, or
must arrest you.'
LyOnnesse flung off the OBTAINING
hand Of the guard and swung round
so that his agonized eyes gazed close
into the adjutant's immovable face,
which before that gaze lost it's cold
ness and it's rigor.
can hours reprieve-for mercy's
sake, grant that!'
II have said it is impossible"
"He is an English noble, tell you''-
HE is soldier who has broken the
law. That sufices. I must obey my
orders. I regret you should have this
pain, but if you do not cease to inter-
fere my soldiers must make you.''
Where the guards held him Cecil
saw and heard. His voice rose with
all it's old strength and directness:
"My friend, do not plead for me. For
the sake of our common country and
our old love, let us both meet this with
silence and with courage"
The words stung his hearer well
nigh to madness. He turned on the
soldiers with all the fury of his race
that slumbered so long, but when it
awoke was like the lions rage. In
vective, entreaty, conjuration, COM
mand, imploring prayer and ungovern-
ed passion poured in tumultuous
words, in agonized eloquence, from his
lips. All answer was a quick sign Of
the hand, and ere he saw them dozen
soldiers were round him, his arms
were seized, his splendid frame was
held as poWerless as a lassoed bull.
Cecips eyes strained on him with one
last longing look. Then he raised his
hand and gave the signal for his own
death shot. r.
The leveled carbines covered him.
He stood erect with his face full to-
ward the sun. Ere they could fire,
shrill cry pierced the air: r..
"Wait, in the name of Francer'
Dismounted, GREATNESS, staggering,
with her arms flung upward and her
face bloodless with fear, Cigarette ap-
peared upon the ridge Of rising ground.
The cry Of command pealed out upon
the silence in the voice that the army
of Africa loved as the voice of their
little one. And the cry came too late.
The volley was fired, the crash of
sound thrilled across the words that
babe them pause, the heavy smoke
rolled out upon the air, the death that
was doomed was dealt.
But beyond the smoke cloud he stag
gered slightly and then stood erect still,