Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1906-08-18


Henri was just on her then, and with
out pausing, he came at her with his
musket dubbed.
"German?" he demanded.
NO, no; Swiss-Vaudois!" cried Julie.
in alarm.
He dropped his weapon then, and stood
painting. She could see his curly head
then, even though the smoke and CRIME
had blackened his face, and she knew his
chuckle so well.
kh, bien, my FRIEND" he said, with
what seemed to her an astonishing cool
ness. Il also am Vaudois-Henri Martin
from these pa.oI. You may have heard
the name? In any case, these are Prus-
slams behind me-"
"Terrible!" said Julie.
Is it not ?" said the young man laugh
ing. "On the sacred soil of a free re-
public, name of name! They are by
law our prisoners. But
Exactly !"-he laughed again-"the
laws Of war are different, as you OBJ
serve. And these Prussians are dying to
catch me. The point is-for l must
go on otherwise-will you help me to
drive them back?"
Willingly"
Julie was in glow of mixed fear and
eXultation. He had not recognized her,
but he had appealed to her, and these
were Prussians, who had dared to want
to kill Henri. She knelt and took aim.
Fire, my friend" said Henri; Il have
yet to load. 1t was an affair of mo-
ments getting away, l assure you, but
these Prussians do not know the noun
tains, Fire, them"
The pursuers were crossing the clear
ing as Julie fired. She was in such a
quiver that she missed. But the bullet
must have flown pretty close, for the
leader of the Germans stopped and swore.
He was evidently disconnected
They do not like real bullets" said
Henri, as he shot.
A German on the outside screamed
out and put his hand to his leg.
"Ah, do not kill them!" said the girl.
She could not endure to see men killed.
She was glad to see Henri laughing as
he had laughed when he went away but
to laugh while men died-that seemed
too terrible.
DO not kill them!'' she besought.
He seemed surprised at that, but not
put out of his humor.
"As you WILL" he said, "but they must
surrender at least"
The pursuers had scattered and were
retiring, one man iimping painfully.
Hal" cried Henri. 1--WE shall have
them SOON" And he sent a yodel high up
over their heads to startle them To his
own surprise it was answered fro m sew
eral directions.
The Swiss patrols are out" Julie ex-
planned.
so? Keep behind the tree, nv
friend" he said, laughing merrily. He
began to sing the old village songs:
ha, n pie-bald COW
Ding 'ug-the bells are saving:
Her skin as soft as silk
But or she went a-straying,
The flo rs were in the dells
The ass was on the levels
Ding Jng-she shook her bells
And went upon her travels.
He broke off the song. "Ah, I had
more than a cow, friend postman, up
there. But I went to the wars, being
much change out of the Prussians.
Heigh no, vivi la France. But tonight
go home from the wars, postman, and
l shall see my Julie"
The girls lips quivered as he spoke.
This was what she had waited for, to
know that Henri, who went off soldering
so merrily, had not forgotten her. To-
night he was going home from the wars,
and she was come to meet him. She came
forward from the shelter of the tree, to
where he knelt behind the next.
Henri" she said.
The Prussians had lain down in the
SHOW for lack of cover, and were on the
4ui vive.
What, you--Jule," cried the young
man.
Il came to bring you home," she said.
And one of the Prussians, seeing a
good mark at last, fired. The girl gave
little cry and fell forward in the snow.
A tiny stream of blood flowed on to the
white carpet, and Henri knelt by her dis
tractedly.
She put her hand to her breast and
smiled up to him. 1T is good that you
come home tonight" she said. 1T seemed
so long. l could not knit for thinking.
See, you must 90 now. There is soup
ready in the pot and the fire burning
against your return, Henri"
The young man was only staring at
her, stupefed with grief.
You must 60" she said again. But
tell me do you love me?"
yes" His lips could hardly frame
the words.
"Smile at me then-as you always
smiled"
He constrained himself to do it.
Dearest postman!" he said. Match
less folly, that he had ever left her; she
had closed her eyes and he sprang to his
feet wildly. The Prussians lay out in
the snow, and they had killed her. He
began to fire again-aimlessly-
with fury. The shelter of the trees was
no longer regarded, and the enemy, find
| ing another mark so easy, fired volley.
The young man was in the act of shoot
| ing when their bullets came. Then he,
too. reeled forward and fell.
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