The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1902-08-29

tort 10 draw himself up TO his full helght.
Let us go" he added. There must
be a suitable spot behind the building"
Castellane nodded and went ahead.
He was about to say something concern
ing the necessity of having seconds when
a great noise arrested his attention. In
front of the imperial sled appeared the
courier, swearing and lamenting that his
majesty's baggage had been ritied. They
killed one of my men," he cried, 'and l
am responsible for it. All, the Polish
scoundrel. Lead is too good for him."
Meanwhile the thief was marched for
ward between two grenadiers. He turn
ed out to be sublieutenant OF the Le-
gion of the Vistula, and Immediately
great crowds'of curious officers and SOL
diers surrounded him. Even his grace
Alexander Berthier, prince OF Neufcha-
tel, came running out.
Poor devil" said Castellane, "they
will place him against the wall, and then
goodby. It's a pity though. | am sure
hunger drove him to the act"
Dufresne said nothing, but stared at
the culprit with wide open eyes.
Don't shoot me-" cried the Pole. II
have something to tell. most important
information. | will confess all. Only
give me a hearing"
He was hustled into the house, the
courier following. At that moment Du-
fresno touched the captains arm. by
my soul. all is lost"
But. major, what is this to your"
Castellane lowered his voice after look
ing into Dufresne's face, which told
more than words. impossible" he cried
at last. This wretch is lying. Pray tell
me that he is. and | will believe you"
mo, no; he is telling the truth" whis-
pered the major. Il persuaded him to
rob the sled in order to get us meal,
just one meal, and now he will confess
all. am lost. My honor is gone"
"But you, a major of the guards. |
can't grasp it"
"Man," cried the elder officer. eff you
hadn't been travelling in the marshal's
equipage you would know what it means
to hunger-to starve for days, weeks,
months. You are an adjutant and never
have been wanting for bread"
Even if | had wouldn't have turned
thief
How do you know" cried the major,
Selling Castellane by the arm, with hun
ger and madness staring out of his eyes.
How does any COMPOUNDED glutton know
You have dined well today as always
Your clothes. | see, are of the best. Night
and day you have had warm stove at
your elbow. All, this war has been a
pleasure party for such as you. But look
at me. Forty nights have rolled on the
frozen ground, trying to find sleep, while
hunger gnawed my vitals. Have you
ever stuffed your mouth with snow until
your lips burned? | did it to get some
thing into my stomach. Once | lived for
three days on the leather of my helmet,
chewed to rags. We have fought battles
for a mouthful of horse carcass. | tell
you, captain, helped three of my men to
hang themselves on one and the same
tree at Orcha, and when | handed the
rope to the last one | said: 'Goodby, chill
dren. You are better off than we liv
ing.
Dufresne leaned his head against the
wall. The talking, the "reminiscences
proved too much for him.
Castellane could say nothing. He haC
forgotten about the quarrel and tn,
bloody errand on which he was bound
"Save this poor fellow, save him." hi
heart kept repeating.
hlollinSg COHlluuth lhC uldJO
after a pause, II learned of the emper
or's fight and that sled full of PROV
sions was to be sent after him. | wen
to the stables and looked on while it wa
being loaded. What quantities of wine
bread, coffee, meat and all sorts of goo
things! Then the devil took possession
of me. confided in the Pole, but he is
blockhead and allowed himself to
caught The game is up"
Castelane begged his newly foun
friend not to despair. 81 will go an
talk with the courier. | will offer him
large sum. No doubt things can be al
ranged" But even as he turned to g
the door of the posthouse opened, an
Berthier's adjutant, the courier and sey
eral gendarmes came out. CASTELAR,
doubled his steps in order to intercep
them. At that moment he heard a sho
behind him. The major had sent bulle
into his brain, dying almost instantly.
Castellane overwhelmed the courie
with reproaches, the man stutterin,
weak excuses: 81 had to do it. TIL
health of his majesty demands rich noul
ishment. His majesty knows the exten
Of our stock of wines, delicacies and 9th
er provisions to the last bottle and pound
II he had missed anything, it would hav
cost me my place. Besides, you know
his majesty is hearty eater
How much was stolen"
The courier didn't know exactly, bu
promised to report in little while. Whe
he returned, he said that luckily onl
two bottles of wine were missing.
1.-TWO bottles at the price of two lives
Take that" and Castellane knocked tn
courier down with blow Of his clinche
fist.
Then he returned to the cabinet cour
Gil, where the secretary still was brood
ing over bulletin No. 30. "The courier
waiting" cried Mounier, land that pa
sage is not yet filed in. Come quick. w
must decide upon one version or anotl
or"
Castellane took the paper and smiled.
81 have an idea," he said. Here is
sentence that will quiet the anxieties {
the cabinets and of our allies" And b
filed in the missing passage. His maje
tvs health is excellent, his appetite wa
never better."-New York Press.
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