Year: 1871

and cruel deed1 They were no
! long left in suspense.


| A beautiful sunrise ii was whicl
broke the light OF day to Vaux Vii
laine on that fair autumn morning
The heavy dews which had fallen tn
night before glistened like scattered
gems in the early sunshine, and tn
air was sweet with the breath offlow
ers, yielding up their perfume to til,
soft warm breeze. The bleatinI
sheep, and cattle lowing in the fields
seemed to call the people to theil
usual peaceful occupations, and thu
little church bell, with its silvery
tone, gave notice that the cure mean
to celebrate an early mass on behal
of their dear patrte, so sadly II
need of aid from heaven. All thing
were as they had been many and
many a morning before, when the
people of Vaux Vilaine rose to carry
on the gentle, peaceful life, which
made so sweet an existence for them
and nature still was doing her part
in beauty and beniiccncc. The skies
failed not to shed on all their bright,
est smile, but there were human pas
sions at war upon earth; and, only
the records of this tremendous strug.
gle might well lead one to believe,
that if all the demons of hell were
let loose, they could hardly have
made more terrible havoc in Gods
fair world.


While yet the peaceful church-bell
rang, and the sunbeams streaming
through the lattice windows of the
cottages woke the children in their
cradles, there was heard coming,
ever nearer and nearer, the heavy
tramp of large body of mounted
Uhlans, galloping down upon the
village. In a moment more they
were swarming, fierce and merci-
less crowd, in the main street, and in
every lane and alley in the place. A
certain number were told of, who
dismounted, and, entering into all
the houses, from end to end of the
village, they dragged out every man
that they could find, and drove
them in mass into the church,
where a very different scene was to
be enacted from the quiet holy SER
were driven back with blows and
curses by the Uhlans, and the church
shut upon the whole male inhabi-
tants of the village. What could be
done to them there! The poor wo-
men shrieked and wept, as they ask
ed themselves that question.


Leonie and Vevette, united by the
anguish of their common suspense
and terror, crept, hand in hand, near
er to the church than any of the 9TH
ers dared to 60, and hid themselves
behind the very tree beneath whose
branches the three young men had
held their conversation on that bright,
peaceful evening, before even the
shadow Of war had cast its gloom on
the earth, and when they were look
ing forward so gaily to the fulfilmcnt
of their various plans ofhappiness,


Meanwhile, strange scene was
taking place in the church. The
cure, already robed for mass, was
thrust rudely aside by the Uhlans,
and knelt down in q corner, praying
fervently, while the commanding Of
ficer of the troop of avengers went
and stood on the steps of the altar.
There, in loud ringing voice which
was heard over the whole church, he
announced the tribute of blood
which the clemency, as he expressed
it, of his superiors would alone exact
for the murder of the Colonel. They
would not burn down the village, as
would have been just, nor would
they put the inhabitants to the sword,
richly as they deserved it, but they
would DO satisfied with the lives OF
three men out of those now assem-
bled in the church, who must be ex-
ecuted instantly before the troops re-
sumed their conquering march
through Frsnce-not an hours delay
could be accorded. The officer adj
ded that the choice of victims might
be made by lot, amongst themselves,
but it must be done then and there,
without loss of time. AS he con-
cludcd, he held up his watch before
tlem,


'1n ten minutes" he said, %your
choice must be made; if you delay
longer than that, | choose for my
self, and shall take the first three
on whom l happen to lay my hands,
and have them shot at once"


1t was but too plain there was nc
appeal, and that it would only be
wasting the precious moment to at
tempt it. Lcpelleticr, with some Of
the older men, began in silence, and
with trembling hands, to prepare
the lots with the three fatal numbers
which would be drawn by the mel
on whom the doom of death should
fall.


But, suddenly, there was 4 move
ment in the crowd, and young
man. came forward with a light
active step, and, laying his hand on
Lepelletier's arm, to prevent his con
tinuing his dreadful task, ho made
a sign that he wished to speak. And
there was silence over the whole
church in an instant, and all eyes
were turned on Evaristc Rosssl
Familiar as his features were to mos
of them, they look on him now al
though they had never seen him be
fore, so completely was his thoughfu
face transfgnred by the pure heroic
resolution that shone in his soft eye
and thrilled his clear young voice
with the utmost simplicity word
death-laden to himself.


"Nes amis," he said, and every In
dividual in the assembly heard hin
distinctly, "if we cast lots for tn
victims Of the enemy, il may be tina
the doam will fall on fathers of tami
lies who would leave widows ant
orphans to mourn them, not only il
sorrow but in poverty and destitu
ton. 1t is not well, therefore, tina
such as they are should be taken iron
tho home they support and protect
while there are others who have not
as yet at leas., formed ties SO clos
and binding. OF these ] am one