Part 15 (2/2)

”Well,” asked the Austrian officer, ”do you acknowledge the truth of this statement, or do you deny being the cannoneer, Fritz?”

”Why should I deny it?” answered Feodor, shrugging his shoulders.

”This gentleman, who ought to have saved me, has already betrayed me.

I am the man whom you seek!”

With a scream of surprise, Elise threw herself toward her lover.

”No!” cried she, loudly, ”no, he is--”

Her father's hand pressed heavily on her lips. ”Another word, and you are a murderess!” whispered he.

The officer looked suspiciously at them. ”You do not deny,” asked he of Feodor, ”that you are he who directed such a murderous fire on our lines? You do not deny that you are the artilleryman, Fritz, and that this cloak and hat belong to you?”

”I deny nothing!” replied Feodor, defiantly.

The officer called to some of his men and ordered them to shoulder arms, and take the prisoner in their midst; enjoining them to keep a sharp watch on him, and at the first attempt to escape, to shoot him down. But when he demanded his sword of the colonel, the latter recoiled, shocked, and resisted.

He now became aware of his foolhardiness and rashness, and that he had not considered or foreseen the dangerous and perhaps dishonorable consequences. However, as he had gone so far, he considered that it would be disgraceful and cowardly to retreat now. He was also desirous of pursuing to the end this adventure which he had begun with so much boldness and daring. He drew his sword, and with considerable strength breaking it in pieces, he threw them at the feet of the Austrian officer.

That officer shrugged his shoulders. ”Your insolence will only make your situation worse. Remember, you are our prisoner.”

”He must and shall die!” shouted the soldiers, thronging around Feodor, angrily.

The officer ordered silence. ”He must die,” said he, ”that is true; but we must first carry him to the general, to obtain the price offered for him.”

The soldiers surrounded him and shoved him toward the door. But Elise broke through the crowd. With flas.h.i.+ng eyes, and cheeks burning with a feverish excitement, she rushed toward Feodor. ”No!” cried she, with all the ardor of love, ”no, I will not leave you. You are going to your death!”

Feodor kissed her lightly on the forehead, and replied with a smile, ”I fear nothing. Fortune does not forsake a brave soldier.”

He then took her by the hand and led her to her father. Gazing on him with a long and speaking look, he continued: ”Here, Father Gotzkowsky, I bring your daughter to you: be a better father to her than you have been a friend to me. These are my farewell words.”

He leaned forward as if to give Gotzkowsky a parting embrace, and whispered to him: ”I hope we are now quit! I have atoned for my fault.

You will no longer wish to punish your daughter for my transgression.”

He then threw the white cloak around him, and bidding Elise, who leaned half fainting against her father, a tender farewell, he stepped back into the ranks of the guard.

”Attention! shoulder arms!” commanded the officer; and the Austrians left the hall with closed ranks, the prisoner in their midst.

CHAPTER XIX.

FATHER GOTZKOWSKY.

The door had closed behind the soldiers and their prisoner. Gotzkowsky and Elise remained behind, silent and immersed in the deep sorrows of their souls. Neither spoke a word; both stood motionless and listened.

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