Waterbury Democrat., 1901-06-04

y tAe2sJ tranquil beside the coffin with 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. To the words of the priest who ap- preached him he listened with respect, though he gently declined the services of the church. XF
 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 I ever fear to look down the depths of my enemies muskets ?"
 It 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 indignity which would have blind ed his light as though he had ever dreaded to meet death. ii al
 That eprotest having escaped him, he was once more still and calm, as though the vacant grave yawning at his feet had been but a couch of down to rest his tired limbs.
 'It is best thus" he thought, tif 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, stalwart, 1.-the, xr,;4I c41l ;r, his rapid step and the sinew of the northern races in lis mold.
 The newcomer went straight to the adjutant in command and addressed him with brief preface, hurriedly and low
 'sYour prisoner is Victor of the chas- seurs? He is to be shot this morn ing"
 The officer assented. He suffered the Interruption. recognizing the rank of the speaker.
 ''I heard of it yesterday. rode all night, from Gran. feel great pity for this man, though he is unknown 10 me-" the stranger pursued in rapid whispered words sHis crime was"-
 "A blow to his colonel, monsei- gneur."
 And there is no possibility of re- prieve?''
 None"
 'sMay I speak with him an instant? have heard it thought that he is of my country and of a rank above his | standing in his regiment here"
 "You may address him, M. le Due, but be brief. Time presses" l He thanked the officer for the un- usual permission and turned to ap- 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.
 For a 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 stilli Oh, thank God thank Godi You perishing here! If they send their shots through you, they shall reach me first in their passage. Oh, heavenI Why have you lived like this? Why have you been lost to me if you were dead to all the world be side?''
 They were the words that his sister had spoken. Cecil's white lips quiv- cred as he heard them. His voice was, scarcely audible as it panted through | them:
 T was accused'-
 "Ayel But by whom? Not by me! Never by mep'
 Cecils eyes filled with slow, binding tears-tears sweet as woman's in her | joy, bitter as mans in his agony. God reward your' he murmured. "You have never doubted?"
 Doubted? Was your honor not as my ownY'
 T can die at peace then. You know me guiltless"-
 Great Godl Death shall not touch youl As I stand here, not hair of | your head shall be barmed'-
 Flush! Justice must take it's course. One thing only-has she heard?" l -..Nothing. She has left Africa. But