Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-06-23

man by his bony shoulder. "Whom have
you caught? And where is he:o'
in my cottage yonder, by that coppice of
fir trees The trees quite hide it, for it is
very small, and so it has remained unseen.
As for the Prlssian, found him just before
break of day lying in gorse bush fifty yards
from where we stand talking, Monsieur. |
think he must have been thrown from his
horse; for there was no wound upon him,
ONLY he was as senseess as this boulder. Also
he wears what seems to be cavalry uni
form. | ran to my cottage. and came back
with few yards of rope with which | soon
had him nicely trussed up; and before it
was quite light had dragged him where you
will find him. Come! Why do you stand
talking?'
patience, my friend You appear to be
a true son of France. | admire your brav-
cry. And so you were determined to kill
this poor devil bound in your hut Why?'
"Why?" The old man raised his shrunk
arm to Heaven with gesture of misery. Il
had three sons, Monsieur, in the artillery.
One had his Corporal's stripes, and the
were all killed at Sedan when covering that
splendid charge of General Marqueritte's
Chasser RS of France, when the battle was
los I hey were blown to pieces at their
guns, AM | have none left. Now do you
un lerstand? l was not allowed to go and
kill Prlssians; but when the Prussians
come to me, as this one did, then | will strike
one blow for my country, and to revenge my
darlings."
"Lead on" said Dagobert.
"Ths way, then. You will not want the
bayonet: that saber of yours will make a
hole wide enough
THE peasants dwelling was mere shack,
a matched hut. On bench alongside
one of the walls was extended the prisoner,
face upward, cruelty bound from shoulders
to spurred heels by coil of rope. A tallow
candle that fared on a table threw its uncer-
tain CLEAN on the pallid face of the prisoner,
and shone in his glazing eyeballs which, for
all his suffering, were filled with defiance and
contempt.
Dagobert took up the candle and stood by
the side of the captive. Long and steadily
they looked at each other, and neither spoke
word.
81 will go out" muttered the old man,
shaking from head to foot with excitement.
"Call me when it is over, and we will put
him under the ground between us" He left
the hut
Dagobert took his naked saber in his right
hand. Il am going to kill you,' said he
quietly, in German.
Il am prisoner of war; answered the
other, just as calmly.
Pardon me, you are nothing OF the sort.
You were captured by civilian.
Il surrender myself to you
II am franc-tireur outside the code.
Murder me then, Coward! You see that
am not afraid
"On the contrary, you are brave. 1t is
perfectly true that l mean to kill you; but
since l came in l have been struck by an
idea. Allow me to impart it. | have no de-
sire to pass my sword through you as you
are. Indeed, am incapable of that infamy.
Far from doing SO, intend to make you an
offer
what is that asked the other, with a
wild CLEAN of hope in his pain-flled eyes.
Il am willing to give you an hour of life.
You will leave this place perfectly free All
ask is your parole, youl simple pledge to
return here within an hour.
The German stared incredulously.
when l shall certainly kill you,' con-
Guided Dagobert. And with terrible smile
he ran finger along the edge of his weapon.
Still the other was not able to loosen his
tongue. Possibly he wondered if he had to
do with a mailman. He regarded with as
tonished gaze the gaunt, gigantic figure of
the ex-Captain of cuirasSerS, haggard,
II /, ~,