Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-08-24
MARIE, OR THE BLUE HAND.
KERCHIEF
From the German.

IS I was returning on foot from Or
leans to the chateau of Bardy.
Before me. on the same road. marched
troop of soldiers I FASTENED my step
20 overtake the military music which I
like so much but presently the music
ceased and only a few measures of the
drum sounded to mark the time of the
soldiers steps.
Coming up with them, discovered
friend of mine to he the captain at their
head and I asked II they were out for
exercise.
mo" ne sast. ''we are here TO try and
probably to shoot one of the men OF my
company for having stolen from tho
farmer where he lodged"
what" I cried do you mean 70 say
you will Judge, condemn and execute all
at once?'
eyes," he replied, "those are our or
ders."
For him. there was nothing further to
be said. His orders were absolute and
final.
1T you are curious" be added. Il will
make n place for you here where you
can watch. the proceedings. 1t will not
take long"
assented gladly and followed tho cap
tain.
The regiment was formed in a square.
Behind the second line. on the edge Of
the woods n few soldiers were digging
a hole they were commanded by a second
lieutenant for everything. in tho army.
is done with n certain order and disci-
pline. even in digging hole.
In the center of the square. eight Of
flccrs were seated and ore. the ninth.
was busy writing on his knees
The prisoner was called. He was n
young man. tall and we'll built. with a
kind. gentle face. Beside him came .
woman. the single witness to testify to
the theft
HIT when tho colonel started TO ques-
tion the woman. the soldier interrupted.
There Is no need. sir. 10 ask her am
ready to confess everything. I stole a
handkerchief from this woman"
"You. Peter" cried the colonel. IT
have always thought you a good soldier"
$50 I am. sir; at least I have always
steal anything for myself. 1t was for
Marie
"Who is Nfarie?" the colonel demanded
"She Is my sweetheart she
lives down there in the coun.
try near Arcneberg. Shall I
never see her again sire"
II do not understand you. Peter. What
do you mean?"
"Ah! we'll sir Read this letter II you
please"
The colonel stretched out his hand for
the letter and read it aloud:
"My Good Friend Peter
II am fastening to send you this letter
br Arnold. who has enlisted in your
company. and I send you also the silk
purse which I have knitted for you.
Il have had to hide it whenever father
came near for ne always scolds me for
loving you so much and tells me that
you will never come home. But You will
come back, won't you? Even II you
don't. shall always love you. ! gave
you my promise the day YOU brought
me the blue handkerchief from the fair.
and I will always keep 1t.
"Whcn shall see you again?
1T am so proud of you for they tell me
that YOU arc respected by your officers
and loved by your comrades. But you
have still two years in tho army. Make
haste and finish them quickly and then
We will get married
Good bye, dear Peter,
Your loving Marie"
r. S--Plenso try and send me some
thing from France. not because I will
forget you but so that can always wear
IT, II you will kiss it am sure I shall
know the place and then I shall be
happy"
As the colonel paused. Peter spoke
again.
"Arnold gave me- the letter yesterday"
ne said. '.and all night could not sleep
for thinking of Marie and tho old home.
Shc said she wanted something from
Franco. did not have any money
sent all I had to my mother month
ago This morning. when I rose to Join
the company I opened my window.
"a blue handkerchief was hanging on
line: It looked like tho one I gave to
Marie for II was the same color and had
the same white stripes. was weak
| enough to take 1t and put II in my KNAPP
| sack Then I went out into the street
but I soon regretted my action and start
ed to go back to the house when the
woman ran after me. They found her
handkerchief among my things. That Is
| the whole truth. ! know the orders arc
| that anyone that steals must he shot
Very we'll, I am ready. shoot mo. hut
do not despise me-"
Vie paused, then approached his cap
tain and begged him to loan him -four
francs. The captain gave them to him.
| Peter handed them to the woman.
"Madame. here are four francs" he
| said. II do not know II your handker'
chief is worth more but. indeed. shall
nay dearly for It.
lie kissed the blue cloth and gave I,
! to the captain.
sir" he said. "in two years you will
return to our mountains; II YOU 20 neal
| Arcncberg. nsk for Marie and give this
| 10 her but do not tell her how ] bOugh
it,"
IT am ready" he added. turning TO thu
soldiers.
lCopyrightea 1901. by the Story syndi
| cato Coz