Year: 1878

AOpPCObs


Toward evening, Pierre Valiant, with
his wife ane child, were admitted to see
the prisoner. This was a visit which
Jerome would gladly have dispensed
with, as his feelings were already
wrought up to a pitch that almost un-
manned him but he braced himself for
the interview, and would have stood it
like hero had not little Natalie, in the
eagerness of her love and gratitude,
thrown herself upon his bosom and
offered to die in his stead. This tipped
the briming cup, and his tears flowed
freely.


Pierre and Lisette knew not what to
say. They wept and they prayed, and
they would have willingly died for the
noble fellow who had been thus con.
demned.


Later in the evening came a compan-
ion who, if he lived, would at some
time return to Jerome's boyhood's g home.
First the condemned thought OF his
widowed mother, and he sent her O
message of love and devotion. Then
he thought of a brother and sister.
And, finally. he thought of one-s
bright-eyed maid-whose vine-clad cot
stood upon the banks of the Seine-one
whom he had loved with love such as
only great hearts can feel.


"Oh, my dear friend - he cried, bow
ing his head upon his clasped hands,
"you need not tell them falsehood
but if the thing is possible, let them be-
lieve 1 fell in battle !"


His companion promised that he
would do all he could and, if the truth
could not be kept back, 1t should be so
truthfully told that the name of jerome
Dubois should not bear dishonor in the
minds of those who had loved him in
other days.


Morning came, dull and gloomy, with
driving sleet and snow and, at an early
hour, Jersme Dubois was led forth to
meet his fate. The place of execution
had been fixed upon low, barren spot
toward the sea and thither his division
was being marched to witness the fear
full punishment. They had gained not
more than half the distance when the
sound of some strange commotion broke
upon the wintry air, and very shortly an
aide-de- camp came dashing to the side
of the general OF the brigade. with the
cry:


"a sortie A sortie The enemy
are ont in force. Let this thing be stay
ed. The marshal directs that you face
about and advance upon the peninsula u


In an instant all was changed in that
division; and the brigadier general, who
had temporary command, thundered
forth his orders for his counter-march.
The gloom was dissipated; and with glad
hearts the soldiers turned from the
thoughts of the execution of q brave
comrade to thoughts of meeting the
enemy.


"What shall we do with the prisoner p
asked the sergeant who had charge oi
the guard.


"Lead him back to the camp" re-
piled the captain.


The direction was very simple, but
the execution thereof was not to be so
easy, for scarcely had the words escaped
the captains lips when a squadron OF
Prussian cavalry came dashing direct.
ly toward them. The division was quick.
" formed in four hollow squares, while
the guard that held charge of the prisoner
found themselve obliged to fee.


"In heavens name," cried Jerome
"cut my bonds, and let me die like a
soldier |"


The sergeant quickly cut the cord thai
bound his elbows behind him, and ther
dashed toward the point where his OWL
company was stationed. The rattle oI
musketry had commenced, and the Prus
slams were vainly endeavoring to breal
the squares of French troops. jerome
Dubois looked about him for some wea
pom with which to arm himself, anC
presently he saw Prussian officer no
far off reeling in his saddle as though hG
had been wounded. With a quick bound
he reached the spot, pulled the dying
officer from his seat, and leaped into the
empty saddle.


Dubois was fully resolved that ht
would sell his life on that day-sell i
in behalf of France-and sell it as dearly
as possible. But he was not needed
where he was. He knew that the Prus
slams could not break those hollow
squares so he rode away thinking Il
join the French cavalry, with whom h,
would rush into the deepest danger
Supposing that the heaviest fighting
must be upon the Nehrung, he rode hi
| horse in that direction, and when h,
reached it he found that he had no
been mistaken. Upon a slight eminenc
toward Hagelsberg the enemy hat
planted battery of heavy guns, sup
ported by two regiments of infantry
and already with shot and shell immens,
damage had been done.


Marshal Lefebvre rode up shortl
after this battery had opened, and quick
ly made up his mind that it must b
taken at all hazards.


"Take that battery" he said to
colonel of the calvary, "and the battl
is ours"


Dubois heard the order, and saw tn
necessity. Here was danger enough
surely; and, determined TO be the frs
at the fatal battery, he kept as near I
the leader as he dared. Half the dii
tance he had gained, when from the hi


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