The San Francisco call., 1910-01-08

four pound loaf and a bottle of medi-
cine which would look like making
him an object of charity
That proposition was unanimously
auopted. Each pupil hurried to his
parents, from whom he received in
advance the ? cents of the coming
thursdays allowance. not without some
seedlings Tor the naughty act he had
committed. and all gathering at the
same spot where the wrong had been
uone, they started toward the residence
of Elisa Bernard
In the meantime, what had happened
to Elisa?
When she reached the door of her
house she had scarcely strength enough
to go in. How could she present her
SELF 10 her father and mother without
the usual provisions? Finally. trem-
bling and hardly breathing. she went
forward with empty hands and told
them frankly and truthfully of the
strange and cruerNleed of which she
was the innocent victim.
Innocent! cried her father with
great anger and the excitement of an
old soldier. "And-why did you go to
sleep?"
Il was so tired, my father and the
heat was so great"
DO you know that they condemn to
death the sentry who goes to sleep?
1t IS you alone. who are guilty." And,
the old man in his excitement swung
his crutch hitting her on the forehead
and inficting a wound from which the
blood flowed rapidly
Elisa fell to the floor, and her mother.
terrified, picked her up in her arms,
eXclaiming:
my daughter, My poor childl She
is dead, she is dead.
No, no. said Bernard. now pale with
tr1ght Wildly accusing himself for
ms excess of brutality he endeavored to
check the blood which was covering
the face and dress of his daughter.
1t was at that moment that the chill
dren appeared to return the price Of the
milk they had drunk. OH what was
their sensation and their surprise at
the sight which met their eyes. The
young girl was lying motionless in the
arms or her mother. who was praying
for the mercy of Cod while the miser-
able father tore his hair in remorse and
despair. They all threw themselves on
their knees, praying. Save her, save
her! We alone are guilty"
Their penitent cries soon brought
ELISA out OF her stupor Recovering
her senses her first thought was to
comfort her father and mother.
Calm yourselves" she implored. "it
is nothing"
Ihe Old soldier tried to express to his
daughter his contrition and with his
eyes full of tears begged her pardon.
but hardly was the word on his lips
wnen Elisa covered them with hers.
And then, turning to the children who
were greatly agftated by the trying
scene. she said
4 accept the price of the milk that
you TOOK from me, and l believe that
you will always remember what has
happened under your eyes the conse-
quences of your act"
n
his comrades, lit Is who am the most
guilty, for first conceived the horrfd
thought or drinking your milk without
thinking OF the results that could fol-
low. The blood that yet runs on your
face will never fade from my memory
Then, seeing that the day was COM
ing to an end and that nothing was as
yet prepared for the supper of the poor
family, Felix proposed to the other
children that each one go to his par
ents and bring something for the meal
II will run to my mother" he added.
"and in a quarter of an hour shall re-
turn with some good soup"
And 1 with roasted goose" ex-
claimed the son of the hotel keeper of
the village"
And | with three big loaves Of
bread" added the bakers nephew
And finally there was not one of the
accomplices who did not offer, each ac-
cordng TO his means. to make repara-
ton for their guilty blunder.
We'll, l accept your Offers" an
swered Bernard, but 1t is on the con-
dition that you will all return and
take with us the supper of reconcilia-
tion. Everything will be forgotten ex-
cept the blow that | gave Elisa and
again clasping her in his arms he
pressed his trembling lips to the wound
that he had made. crying, ITO shed the
blood of the enemy, very good--but
the blood Of ones own child! Oh. [
shall never forgive myself"
He foretold the truth, the old soldier,
for never again, as long as he lived.
could he look at his daughter without
feeling the keenest sorrow and regret.
The children. for their part. were ex-
posed to the humilating ridicule of