The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-12-27

"C'est ben. never mind me-" replied
Pierre, raising Gabriel In his arms. you
are a father and | was only to he mar
ried on Christmas morning. Where is
your wound?"
My head, mon camarade-it feels as
though that German with The sword had
cut 1t off and | must find it and put IL
on again. Dismoi. is it on straight"
Out oui." answered Pierre. "A man
like you with Belgian blood IN his
veins can never die"
There was slight stirring near by.
Means came from an apparently lifeless
form in the snow. The figure raised it.
self and tried to speak.
Speak" called out Pierre. who are
your"
81 am Alfred. the Englishman," whls-
pered the injured soldier. Tell my old
blind mother and sister that that
that i"
THAT you live like an Engishman to
fight for Britain" interrupted Pierre.
Have courage. my friend, you have
everything for which to I've and moth
ing for which to die"
Colt in 1Iimmel." growled a hoarse
voice from the trenches, Damn those
Allies. The day Will come when there
is not one of them left on the face OF
the earth"
who speaks" called out Pierre.
"Gustav-the German" answered the
cavalryman. MY horse threw me in
the trenches, and I cannot get out?"
Are you njured-are any bones
broken"
mo. damn it-oniy leg. both arms
and | hope my neck, rather than be
taken a prisoner by YOU damned Allies.
How many of us are there here?'
Three and you" replied the French
man.
That makes fve." retorted the Ger
man. can any Of YOU get surgeon
or are We all to lie here and rot?'
THE weather is not propitious for
rotting." parleyed Pierre. We stand
better chances of freezing n'est-Ce pas
can some one pray for our souls?"
gasped Gabriel, the Belgian. clinging 20
Pierre.
pray TO whom" asked the German.
TO God" whispered Gabriel.
God Is law" retorted the German
God is science. God is physicist can
not heart has neither tongue nor
ears-it is the system you fool
There is no God" cried the French
man. Enough - that nonsense about
God-this man is dying. lie needs
help"
Can some one get doc'or?' Ven
tured Alfred, the EngiIshman.
"Non-non,' gasped Gabriel, the Bel
gian, "call a priest! is too lac to
save my body-save my soul"
The moments dragged along like
-. -, ID, ,,',,,,,.
the wounded men stained the snow
crimson. Numbcd 10y the bitter cod.
their voices soon lowered into whispers.
Now and then they passed into un"on-
seriousness to lie aroused from their
stupors by pin more terrible than
death. The storm abatcd, the showing
ceased the winds died away-and in
the east there appeared star of won
drouH glow. ilickerng in the dirk night
sky ike "A j.wel in the heavens
And along the path Of ght. over the
fields of snow, there came 20 whore the
soldiers were lying a figure, dressed
H. a black Soutane reaching To his feet.
Around his waist was a sash and ON
his head he Wore shovel hat. Hang
ing around his neck was a cruCiiN and
in his hand he carried a pyN contain
ing the cOnsocrated Host. an ampul,a,
or vessel holding holy oil. and prayer
book-a priest from out Of the dark
night \, his side there walked q
woman--a nun-drosScd in flowing
black hab,; and wearing a black hood
with a white band over her forehead.
From The g!rdle about her waist hung
the rosary beads.
The priest, as he ncared the four sol
ders. spoke His voice was soft and low
"Dominus vohiscum' BenedIctus vos
benodicat'" The Lord no with you.
May the Blessed one bless YOU'D
The words rested soothinGly on the
ears Of Gahric,. the Belgian. lie stirred
his eyes opened and he hchcld the
priest.
"Oh. mon pcrc," he exclaimed out
stretching his hands. 81 knew You
would come knew YOU would come.
Father. confess me"
"Dominus sit in cordc tue 81 IN lahis
tus" MAY the Lord hc in thy heart and
in thy lips). spoke the priest as he
made the sign of the cross. and, knccl-
ing with his ear close to Gahrcl's lips
he heard the pcnitcnt words NJ a dying
soul.
Mon fls," said the priest slowly, 81
eve thee no pcnanc", for hon hast
suffered enough. EgO t. ahsulNo All
omphus peccatis tuis in nomInc Patris
ct Spirtus SanCti" II ahsoivc thee
from all thy sins in the name Of the
Father. and the Son, and Of the Holy
Ghost)
"Oh, mon Dcu'" whispered Gabriel
Mine eyes behold the vision. It IS rs
Ruhcns painted IT, see the Christ
descending from tho cross See soc l
SEQ the agony Of HIS cuuntonancc tho
Woo on the face Of Ills Mother how
tendcry the disciples are carrying Him
in their loving arms. oh God. hr with
my Marie and may hor child" ohis bps
faltcred) "he like unto Thy SON
The priest fingered. An expression Of
sweet peace passed over Gdhrions fac"
Then, rising, the priest turned 10 Gus
tav
"Ncin, nein'" exclaimed Gustav grur-
~. rejecting the services. 81 die as have
lived. Neither priest nor repentance
can change the inevitable law go the
way of the planets. Tel Frau Bertha
die like German soldier ror
Deutschland
Benedicat to omnipotcns Deus" NUT
tered the priest, "natcr ct FIlluy 81
Spirtus Sanctus ,May Almighty God
bless thee, Father Son and Holy Ghost.