Year: 1872

The curious crowd that had gather
ed had fled in q state of consterna-
ton when the trouble began, and
the enemy was already out OF town
when the young Bernard, in his
paroxysm of rage, was still fighting
in his own blood with an imaginary
foe


He was picked up and carried
home. A brain fever placed his
days and his reason in danger, and
it took all mothers care to bring
him back to life. He never spoke
of this adventure, which ne seemed
to have forgotten, and everybody
was careful not to recall it. His
character was visibly affected ; from
frankness and joyousness he had
become taciturn, and when he was
particularly happy he contented
himself with simply smiling.


After the year 1915, Jean Bernard
was placed in bank, while his
brother renounced his profession Of
arms and bought him farm in the
neighborhood of Mulun.


There was a heavy storm in May
ence on the 2lst of November, 1922,
raining from six O'Clock in the
morning till mignight Toward s
o'clock in the evening of that day
Major Hasner, of the Prussian army,
was dancing his little girl on his
knee as usual, giving her his nous
tache to pull, and listening to the
recital Of her prayers. After re-
ceiving several of those big, child
like kisses that resound so charming
ly, he laid her down in her little
cradle. AS soon as Mile. Charlotte
closed her eyes, her mother rocking
her and singing softly one OF those
lullabies that can be traced even to
the savages, the officer went into the
parlor, where his mother sat waiting
for him. He kissed her forehead in
sincere flial affection, then walked
up und down the long room several
times, halting finally before WIN
dow to look out upon the gleam OF
light that stretched from the parlor
candles upon the wet sidewalk.


A graceful young woman, one
finger on her lips, and stepping
lightly out of the room where her
little girl had just fallen asleep, ap-
preached the dreamer, who, though
he had Just been promoted to ma
jority still wore his captains uni
form.


"What are you dreaming of,
Frederick p she asked, as she lean
cd her head against her husbands
shoulder.


"Of you, Martha," he answered,
as he reached out his arm 10 draw
her towards him.


"Is it the rain which makes you
feel so sad ?"


"No, but the prospect of passing
my evening at the inn, when it
would be so much pleasanter for
me to stay at home with you.


"Then why do you go?'


"You forget, my dear, that my
old friends, Weisch and Buggler,
nave offered me a punch for tonight,
which we are to drink IN honor of
my promotion"


Cant | go with YOU


"No," answered the major, who
couldn't keep from laughing at the
idea of seeing his Martha enter the
bar room of an inn.


"Then they don't allow women in
your miserable old tavern ?"


ut is they who yofuse to come.
At least, that was the way OF it
when | was lieutenant. Single then,
Martha, I have been with you so
much that 1 don't know whether
there has been any changes or not" !"


"Then go quick, so that you can
come back all the sooner, said the
young wife as she disengaged herself
from her husbands arms.


Major Hasner, who had now
reached his 34th year, was one of
the most promising officers of the
Prusslan army. His character was
mild, and his regular features car
ried an expression that was rather
melancholy than otherwise. He
threw his great army coat about
him, buttoned it up, looked out of
the window, and then came back
and sat down opposite his mother
and beside his vile. Martha had in
her hand one of Mile. Charlotte's
little ribbons, which that young
lady was probably dreaming of at
that very moment.


"Come, go on, now, and let me
have this sofa all alone" said his
wife, who saw his hesitation and
wished to help him out of it.


She received another kiss, and
the Major, after having traversed
the room three or four times with
measured tread, babe his mother
"good night p with sigh, he stop
ped a moment before the door Of
the bed chamber to hear the regular
breathing of his child, and then
went away,


There was still fine drizzling
rain outside. IT was quite a dis
tance between the majors house
and the cafe Aux Armes de Bran
denburgh. which was situated near
the cathedral.


Devil take Buggler and Weisch
for breaking in upon my habits in
such weather as this, muttered The
oficer as he felt the rain in his