The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1915-05-21
Philippe. viii you not spare me this

Will you NV opssJC iuc thAs
shame in our fathers na.ne?"
Suddenly, with a military salute,
Philippe left his brother and started
away down the road. Jean Janvier,
watching, saw him accOsted by the
sentry, heard his reply; moment la
ter he heard the discharge of a rifle.
He crept stealthily forward, hoping
that tho traitor had paid the price
without inquiries or the shame of a
court-martial. But, as he drew near,
he saw Philippe being marched away.
Half an hour later Captain Janvier
walked into the camp where the spy
was being held, pending the hasty
converting of court-martial. The of.
ficer in charge, who had not interro'
gated the man, and had only caught
glimpse of his face, was unknown
to Janvier. However, the latter, as
his senior issued his commands.
II wish to interrogate the prisoner"
he said, displaying his papers which
showed him to be in charge Of one OF
the advanced companies.
Philippe, seated upon the floor, was
writing a last letter by the light Of q
piece of candle that had been supplied
him by the good-heartsd sentry. He
looked up at his brothGr.
so you have come to gloat over
mel" he said
mo, Philippe" ans~ cred Jean Jan
vier wretchedly. 81 was writing let
ter home an hour aga. told my Ia
Their that l was sure !ou were fight
ing on the side of France. AS an
Alsatian l can understand that you
might honorably have chosen the Ger
man side, perhaps, but-a spy!"
IAN honorable profession, brother.
for a man who is debarred from more
active service by physical disqualificar
tion," replied Philippe. "Ap injury to
my arm, brother, makes it impossible
for me to WELD rifle or sword"
but how comes 1t that you are on
the German side?"
81 have no kindly thoughts OF
France or my family who have dis
carded me-" burst out, Philippe i'm
petuously, rising and standing before
Jean with folded arms.
And Jean Janvier, looking at him,
felt his heart moved with pity. Phil
| ippe was still the same loving, cratic
brother as of old. Hitherto he had
felt grieved for his fathers sake only;
now it was for Philippe.
you realize your fate" he said
gently. Come, Philippe, there is
some mystery here. Tell me how you
came to choose the German side"
He was astonished at the vehe-
mence with which his brother burst
out into his story. He listened in
establishment. He had not dreamed
that Philippe, too proud to ask assist
ance from his father, had suffered mis-
cradle poverty, that he was desper-
ately in love with girl, and, seeing
no hope of marriage, had chosen to
accept the German offer of sum of
money, sufficient to enable them to
live comfortably. He had taken a
desperate risk, and was prepared to
l pay the penalty.
| Take this letter and mail 1t to her,
said Philippe, handing him the enve-
lope. 1T is my only request of you"
Jean Janvier took the letter me-
chanically. His eye fell on the super
scription. 1t was addressed to Co
leste Paquin.
He did not reel or stager, but stood
looking at 1t gravely. And by degrees
| 1t was borne in on him that the SUI
preme chance which he had coveted
had arrived. In one way only could
he untangle the skein of fate, set Phil
ippe free to marry the girl, pay the
penalty for France, and gain that
death which he coveted. He explained
to Philippe.
The latter grasped his hands i'm
pulsively.
mo, no, Jean; 1t is too great a sac
rifice," he said.
1T is only fair return for what we
have made you suffer-" answered Jean.
You will exchange clothes with me,
walk out of the hut, and make your
way TO my quarters, which are doubt
| less known to you. My pass will get
you to the Cernay road, where you
can doubtless rejoin your friends. One
|
finished letter to my father in my
quarters. Add a postscript to the eff.
feet that you, Philippe Janvier, are re-
turning home to take my place, and
say that l died fighting for France"
And the thought of Celeste Paquin
overcame Philippe's resolution. He
| flung his arms about his brothers
| neck and embraced him
Ten minutes later, with last hand.
clasp and words of love Jean Janvier,
now dressed In the imitation uniform
of his brother, conducted him to the
door. He watched him walk past the
sentry and then, sinking upon the
ground, remained in q stupor for che
remainder Of the night.
At dawn the court-martial con-
vened. Jean Janvier, very cool and
collected, faced his brother officers.
He saw the colonel's face turn gray,
he heard his cries of incredulity.
Gentlemen, spare your protesta-
Il H.. Il