His wrath sank within him, and the arrow of solitude pierced him
to the heart.
Then he came to the belfry, and there was the bell-ringer, one of
the worst of his ancient persecutors, standing at the entrance of
the tower.
"Why are you here?" said the Avenger.
"By the orders of King Alaric," answered the bell-ringer, "to ring
the bells when peace comes to the city."
"Ring now," said the Avenger, "ring now!"
Then, at the sound of the bells, the people who had concealed themselves
at Alaric's command came trooping forth from the cellars and caves
where they had been hiding,--old men and women and children, a
motley throng of sufferers.
The Avenger looked at them and the tears ran down his cheeks,
because he remembered.
"Listen," he said, "don't be afraid. These soldiers are going on
to join their army. You have done me great wrong. But the fire of
hatred is burnt out, and in the ashes of vengeance we are going to
plant the seeds of peace."
December, 1918.
THE BROKEN SOLDIER AND THE MAID OF FRANCE
I
THE MEETING AT THE SPRING
Along the old Roman road that crosses the rolling hills from the
upper waters of the Marne to the Meuse a soldier of France was
passing in the night.
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