The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1908-06-17
MademOiselle of the Cross
BY Leo Crane


The village was proud OF Old Pierre, I
but there were times when he became
tiresome.
Old Pierre had two rare anecdotes.
He would lead of with Lodi and end /
with the affair OF Austeriitz and the
cross. Now everyone had heard Of
Austerlitz, which was a matter Of the |
day before yesterday, and the village
was familiar with every word Of Old
Pierre's famous exploit His daugh-
ter was the prettiest girl in the coun-
tryside Marie was tall, willowy, and
fair There was about her a certain
grace Of roise which kept the best Of
the young men at a respectful dis
tance. When Old Pierre died he gave
the cross to Marie and told her to
wear 1t always.
Marie and Nanon lived quietly, their
lives placid and serene, in the little
house at the end OF the village street,
and 1t seemed they bothered about no
one When suitors boldly sought Ma
rte, civil and kind was she to them,
but no one Of them earned her kiss
So, two years slipped away.
About this time there came to the
village a young officer. He was Gov
cred with the Crime Of the road, and
needed few days rest. Permission
for this much-needed repose had been
granted him. since he had completed
very hard ride to the front with dis
patches. and this was his return He
went through the village seeking a
place Of accommodation The inn
was filled with a motley collection OF
fellows. and he sought quiet. Then
he came to the garden Of the last
house In the village and saw a girl
7 must stop here" he said to him
self, noting the beauty Of the girl.
The proposed two days stay Of the
Il soldier crept away into three and the
beginning Of four AS yet he had had
no chance to see the girl alone. AL
ways was this gravefaced old WON
an close by, and he cursed to himself,
for the girl was very beautiful. and
he had an idea born Of some little ex-
perience that all ine-looking peasant
girls appreciated the advances Of
equally ine-looking officers who had
ridden hard and fast with important
dispatches Then came an opportu-
nifty for speech at last. 1t was morn
ing and he had been lettering before
the house. She was going for some
ferns, she said.
DO you think you would care to
look for ferns?' she inquired, with q
smile
q am sure I should like to help
you"
So he walked along at her side
They had to talk Of something. and
the war presented itself as an everim
portant topic. He told her how ht
had fought and hoped to win the cross
Does it mean that man has per
formed great deeds when he has the
cross to show2" she began. He hur
ried into some explanation:
Very great, Every soldier longs
for the cross, you know. | hat
thought l had earned it, but I wa:
mistaken. A man must be worthy, anC
] suppose every man at some time ol
other thinks himself worthy. OH wal
is a deceitful queen! Let us be hap
py in the midst Of it."
The girl started, for she found h
was very near to her, that his sleev,
touched her shoulder, that his arm
was about her She tried to eludl
him, her eyes showing fear.
DO not be afraid, sweetheart" h
said, lightly. Your kiss / would no
trade for the cross, and I love YOU
She had dropped her basket ami
with all her strength she sought t
prevent his earesses.
You are soldier without honor,
. she cried.
7 love you'll love YOU he re
piled, kissing her. why, do not b
J frightened-you are very sweet, and
+ love YOU
Suddenly she felt herself released
! free, and she saw him wide-eyeC
! almost fearing. There was a supplici
ton in his face. His lips moved i
: silent questions. His hand had caugh
I in the ribbon about her neck, and ha
dragged from the bosom of her dres
the cross.
"You-the erossn he gasped, holt
ing the decoration in his hand. The
he dropped it to the end Of the ribbol
after he had bent over to kiss it.
'Mademoiselle, forgive me- b
=" said, stammering, confused, pala p
stepped back two PAGES and raised h.
hand in the salute, even as he ha
y saluted his emperor. Then he spu
! about and left her
= When Marie reached home, Nanc
told her Of the soldiers departure.
eHe has left this for you. she sal
! Marie opened the folded scrap OF D
per and read:
MademoiseIle OF The Cross:
beg Of you to forgive and forget Oh
who has failed to show respect to viii
he should have held sacred.
And, strange as it may seem, Il
Mademoiselle Of the Cross preserve
this bit Of paper very carefully
n Marie could not forget the soldie