ent. Do you hear, Charles Henry? Show it to me
quickly." He extended his trembling hand toward his son, while with the
other he still held his arm in a powerful grasp.

"Father," said Charles Henry, fiercely, "I have no such paper. It is as
I told you; we have left the Prussian army because we are no longer
the subjects of the King of Prussia, and it is not necessary for us to
remain in the service. We wish to become peasants once more."

"You lie! you lie!" cried his father. "You are no deserter--it is
impossible that my son should be a deserter."

"No, father, I am no deserter," returned his son, defiantly, as he freed
his arm from the old man's grasp. "I am no deserter--I have only done my
duty as a subject of the French king. I have left the flag of the enemy,
and I am here ready and willing to obey my new master as a true subject.
That is all I have to say, father, and I believe when you consider, you
will see that I was right, and that you will be pleased for me to take
off the Prussian uniform and remain with you." He did not wait for his
father's answer, but left the room hastily, as if he feared to be again
detained.

The old man arose to follow him, but his feet refused their accustomed
office; with a deep groan, he sank upon his chair, and as the scalding
tears streamed from his eyes, he murmured: "Oh, my God! my son is a
deserter! Why did you permit me to live to see this shame? Why did you
not close my eyes that they might not meet this disgrace?"

CHAPTER V. THE BRAVE FATHERS AND THE COWARDLY SONS.

The clear bell of the village church was sounding for mass, calling the
pious inhabitants of Brunen to worship in the temple of God. All the
hut-doors were opening, and men and women in Sunday attire wending
their way in solemn stillness to church. They were followed by their
children--the maidens with downcast, modest eyes, the boys with bright
and joyous faces, proud of the thought that they were old enough to go
to church.

From the distant farm came the servants, two and two, up the broad
chestnut alley, greeting here and there the church-goers, and walking
on with them, chatting softly. They all remained standing a short
time under the great linden, waiting until the bell ceased, until the
church-door was opened and the minister appeared with the sacristan
and the four choir-boys. Not until then were they allowed to enter the
church.

A bright-looking crowd was assembled under the linden;