The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-05-04

Philippe. will you not spare me this
shame in our fathers name?'
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; a moment Ia
ter he heard the discharge of a rifle.
He crept stealthily forward. hoping
that the 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
! a glimpse of his face, was unknown
to Janvier. However, the latter, as
his senior, issued his commands.
Il 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 last letter by the light of
| piece of candle that had been supplied
him by the good-hearted sentry. He
looked up at his brother.
so you have come to gloat over
me-" he said
mo, Philippe" answered Jean JAN
vier wretchedly. Il was writing let
ter home an hour ago. l told my ia
Their that | was sure you were fight
ing on the side of France. AS an
| Alsatian / can understand that you
might honorably have chosen the Ger
man side, perhaps, but-a spy!"
AN honorable profession, brother.
for a man who is debarred from more
active service by physical disqualifica-
tion," replied Philippe. AN injury to
my arm, brother, makes it impossible
for me to WELD a rifle or sword"
/ But how comes j. that you are on
the German side?'
Il 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 Janyier, 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 tt
accept the German offer of a sum OF
money, sufficient to enable them to
live comfortably. He had taken q
desperate risk, and was prepared tC
pay the penalty.
Take this letter and mail it to her,
said Philippe, handing him the enve
lope. 1T is my only request of you
Jean Janvier took the letter me
chemically. His eye fell on the super
scription. 1t was addressed to Ce
leste Paquin.
He did not reel or stager, but stood
looking at 1t gravely. And by degrees
! hos ~, III hat %IS<>
preme chance which he had coveted
had arrived In one way only coult
he untangle the skein of fate, set Phil
ippe free to marry the girl, pay tht
penalty for France, and gain thai
death which he coveted He explained
to Philippe.
The latter grasped his hands I'M
pulsively.
NO no, Jean; it Is too great a sac
: rifice." he said.
1t is only fair return for what W,
have made you suffer" answered Jean
You will exchange clothes with me
walk out of the hut, and make YOU
way to my quarters, which are DOUBT
less known to you. My pass will ge
you to the Cernay road, where yot
can doubtless rejoin your friends. On'
thing l ask Of you, you will find an un
finished letter to my father in m!
quarters. Add a postscript to the ef
feet that you, Philippe Janyier, are re
turning home to take my place, ant
say that l died fighting for France
And the thought Of Celeste PaquiI
overcame Philippe's resolution. HI
flung his arms about his brother
neck and embraced him
Ten minutes later. with a last hand
clasp and words of love Jean Janvier
now dressed in the imitation uniform
of his brother, conducted him to tn,
door. He watched him walk past thu
sentry and then, sinking upon TIL
r ground. remained in a stupor for Oh,
remainder OF the night.
At dawn the ourt-martial con
vened. Jean Janvier, very cool ant
collected, faced his brother officers.
He saw the coloners face turn gray
he heard his cries of incredulity.
Gentlemen spare your protesta
tions, he said. Il am in the pay o
Germany and | glory in dying for m,
adopted country"
The colonel turned his haggard fac,
upon those of his brother officers.
II he confesses, there is no more t,
say" he said
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