The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1901-09-25

i in which his broken limbs and shot
/ pierced corpse would so soon be laid
! forever. There Was a deep sadness on
/ his face, but it was perfectly serene.
1 To the words of the priest who APP
preached him he listened with respect,
/ though he gently declined the services
of the church.
When they came near to bind the
covering over his eyes. he motioned
them away. taking the bandage from
their hands and casting it far from
him.
Did ever fear to look down the
i depths of my enemies muskets ~
4 1t was the single outbreak, the single
reproach. that escaped from him, the
single utterance by which he ever quot
], ed his services to France. Not one who
heard him dared again to force on him
that indignHy which would have blind
ed his light as though he had ever
dreaded to meet death
/ That one protest having escaped him,
he was once more still and calm, as
| though the vacant grave yawning at
his feet had been but couch Of down
forest his tired limbs.
1T is best thus, he thought, 'sif
| only she never knows
/ Over the slope Of brown and barren
earth that screened the camp from
view there came at the very moment
that the ramrods were drawn out with a
shrill. sharp ring from the carbine bar
rels a single figure. tall, staIWart, 1.-the,
/ with the spring of the deer stalker in
his rapid step and the sineW of the
northern races in its mold.
! The newcomer went straight to the
i adjutant in command and addressed
/ him with brief preface. hurriedly and
| low.
.sY our prisoner is Victor of the ehas-
seurs He is to be shot this morn
| ing?''
The officer assented He suffered
the interruption, recognizing the rank
of the speaker.
II heard Of it yesterday. rode ali
night, from Oran. feel great pity
for this man, though he is unknown to
me, !" the stranger pursued in rapid
VAiASE1SAO d WI LIS SIllQG w
a blow to his colonel, monsei-
gneur Is
And there is no possibility Of re-.
prieve?''
| None
May I speak with him an instant?
| have heard it thought that he is OF.
my country and of rank above his
standing in his regiment here
You may address him, M. lie Due.
but be brief. Time presses. 2
| He thanked the officer for the un-
usual permission and turned to APP
proach the prisoner. At that moment
Cecil turned also, and their eyes met.
"A great shuddering cry broke from
them both. His head sank as though
the bullets had already pierced his
breast, and the man who believed him
dead stood gazing at him, paralyzed
with horror. s55
| For q moment there was an awful
silence. Then the Seraph's voice rang
out with a terror in it that thrilled
through the careless, callous hearts of
the watching soldiery.
You live still! Oh, thank Cod
thank God! You perishing here! If
they send their shots through you, they
shall reach me first in their passage
Oh. heaven! Why have you lived like
this? Why have you been lost to me
I If you We're dead to all the world be-
hide?''
| They were the words that his sister
had spoken. CeciI's white lips quiy-
cred as he heard them. His voice. was
scarcely audible as it painted through
them: MS
| ST. was accused
Aye! But by whom? Not 81 me.
Never by me-
CeciFs eyes filed with slow. binding
tears tears sweet as 4; woman S III her
10y, bittel. as 4 man s in his agony
God reward You. i Is nurmnred..
III ! gu have never doubt ed p
Doubted? Was your honor not as
my own =
q can die at peace then. You know.
me guiltless
Great God Death shall not touch
you! AS stand here, not a hair Of.
/ your head shall be harmed !, SO ~
Hush. Justice must he its course.
One thing onI " has she heard q
hing She has left Afriea But
you can be saved. You shall be saved!
They do not know what they do
Yes; they but TO low the sentence Of
the law. Do not regret it. IT is. best
thus best because a lie could never
speak to you and the truth can never
tell to you. Do not let her know. tt
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 urn your head
away. Il will soon be over
The clear voice of the officer iii com-.
mand rang shrilly through the stiffness:
" AZ onseigne eur, make your farewell.
can wait no Ion ger s.
The Serap PHI starred and flung himself
round with the grand challenge Of q