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Maupassant Original Short Stories (180), Complete by Guy de Maupassant
It was after Bourbaki's defeat in the east of France. The army, broken up, decimated, and worn out, had been obliged to retreat into Switzerland after that terrible campaign, and it was only its short duration that saved a hundred and fifty thousand men from certain death. Hunger, the terrible cold, forced marches in the snow without boots, over bad mountain roads, had caused us 'francs-tireurs', especially, the greatest suffering, for we were without tents, and almost without food, always in the van when we were marching toward Belfort, and in the rear when returning by the Jura.
Of our little band that had numbered twelve hundred men on the first of January, there remained only twenty-two pale, thin, ragged wretches, when we at length succeeded in reaching Swiss territory.
There we were safe, and could rest. Everybody knows what sympathy was shown to the unfortunate French army, and how well it was cared for. We all gained fresh life, and those who had been rich and happy before the war declared that they had never experienced a greater feeling of comfort than they did then. Just think. We actually had something to eat every day, and could sleep every night.
Meanwhile, the war continued in the east of France, which had been excluded from the armistice. Besancon still kept the enemy in check, and the latter had their revenge by ravaging Franche Comte. Sometimes we heard that they had approached quite close to the frontier, and we saw Swiss troops, who were to form a line of observation between us and them, set out on their march.
That pained us in the end, and, as we regained health and strength, the longing to fight took possession of us. It was disgraceful and irritating to know that within two or three leagues of us the Germans were victorious and insolent, to feel that we were protected by our captivity, and to feel that on that account we were powerless against them.
One day our captain took five or six of us aside, and spoke to us about it, long and furiously. He was a fine fellow, that captain. He had been a sublieutenant in the Zouaves, was tall and thin and as hard as steel, and during the whole campaign he had cut out their work for the Germans. He fretted in inactivity, and could not accustom himself to the idea of being a prisoner and of doing nothing.
"Confound it!" he said to us, "does it not pain you to know that there is a number of uhlans within two hours of us? Does it not almost drive you mad to know that those beggarly wretches are walking about as masters in our mountains, when six determined men might kill a whole spitful any day? I cannot endure it any longer, and I must go there."
"But how can you manage it, captain?"
"How? It is not very difficult! Just as if we had not done a thing or two within the last six months, and got out of woods that were guarded by very different men from the Swiss. The day that you wish to cross over into France, I will undertake to get you there."
"That may be; but what shall we do in France without any arms?"
"Without arms? We will get them over yonder, by Jove!"
"You are forgetting the treaty," another soldier said; "we shall run the risk of doing the Swiss an injury, if Manteuffel learns that they have allowed prisoners to return to France."
"Come," said the captain, "those are all bad reasons. I mean to go and kill some Prussians; that is all I care about. If you do not wish to do as I do, well and good; only say so at once. I can quite well go by myself; I do not require anybody's company."
Naturally we all protested, and, as it was quite impossible to make the captain alter his mind, we felt obliged to promise to go with him. We liked him too much to leave him in the lurch, as he never failed us in any extremity; and so the expedition was decided on.
The weather was most distressing. It had rained all night. The roaring of the overflowing gutters filled the deserted streets in which the houses like sponges absorbed the humidity which penetrating to the interior made the walls sweat from cellar to garret
This carefully edited collection has been designed and formatted to the highest digital standards and adjusted for readability on all devices. Guy de Maupassant (1850-1893) was a popular French writer, considered one of the fathers of the modern short story and one of the form's finest exponents. Maupassant was a protégé of Flaubert and his stories are characterized by economy of style and efficient, effortless outcomes. He wrote some 300 short stories, six novels, three travel books, and one volume of verse. His first published story, "Boule de Suif" ("Ball of Fat"), is often considered his masterpiece. Table of Contents: Introduction to the Works of Guy de Maupassant by Leo Tolstoy Novels: A Life Bel-Ami (The History of a Scoundrel) Mont Oriol Notre Coeur - A Woman's Pastime Pierre and Jean Strong as Death Novellas and Short Stories: Boul De Suif Simon's Papa Suicides On The River Lieutenant Lare's Marriage Two Friends Father Milon A Coup D"Etat The Horrible Madame Parisse An Adventure in Paris The Awakening Crash My Landlady The Horla Our Letters Profitable Business A Fashionable Woman The Donkey A Mother of Monsters A Family Affair The Mad Woman The Bandmaster's Sister The Cripple A Cock Crowed Words of Love Miss Harriet Mademoiselle Fifi Pierrot ...and many more Plays: A Tale of Old Times A Comedy of Marriage Musotte Poems: Des Vers Travel Sketches: Au Soleil: African Wanderings La Vie Errante Sur L'Eau: In Vagabondia French Original Texts: Une Vie Pierre Et Jean Mont-oriol Notre Coeur Fort Comme La Mort Bel-ami Mademoiselle Fifi Madame Baptiste La Rouille Marroca La Bûche La Relique Le Lit Fou? Mots d'Amour Une Aventure Parisienne Deux Amis Nuit de Noël Le Remplaçant Boul De Suif La Maison Tellier Le Pere Milon Le Diable La Petite Roque Lui? Mademoiselle Pearl Le Horla Clair de Lune Des Vers Recollections of Guy de Maupassant by His Valet by François Tassart ...
This carefully edited collection has been designed and formatted to the highest digital standards and adjusted for readability on all devices. Guy de Maupassant (1850-1893) was a popular French writer, considered one of the fathers of the modern short story and one of the form's finest exponents. Maupassant was a protégé of Flaubert and his stories are characterized by economy of style and efficient, effortless outcomes. He wrote some 300 short stories, six novels, three travel books, and one volume of verse. His first published story, "Boule de Suif" ("Ball of Fat"), is often considered his masterpiece. Table of Contents: Introduction to the Works of Guy de Maupassant by Leo Tolstoy Novels: A Life Bel-Ami (The History of a Scoundrel) Mont Oriol Notre Coeur - A Woman's Pastime Pierre and Jean Strong as Death Novellas and Short Stories: Boul De Suif Simon's Papa Suicides On The River Lieutenant Lare's Marriage Two Friends Father Milon A Coup D"Etat The Horrible Madame Parisse An Adventure in Paris The Awakening Crash My Landlady The Horla Our Letters Profitable Business A Fashionable Woman The Donkey A Mother of Monsters A Family Affair The Mad Woman The Bandmaster's Sister The Cripple A Cock Crowed Words of Love Miss Harriet Mademoiselle Fifi Pierrot ...and many more Plays: A Tale of Old Times A Comedy of Marriage Musotte Poems: Des Vers Travel Sketches: Au Soleil: African Wanderings La Vie Errante Sur L'Eau: In Vagabondia French Original Texts: Une Vie Pierre Et Jean Mont-oriol Notre Coeur Fort Comme La Mort Bel-ami Mademoiselle Fifi Madame Baptiste La Rouille Marroca La Bûche La Relique Le Lit Fou? Mots d'Amour Une Aventure Parisienne Deux Amis Nuit de Noël Le Remplaçant Boul De Suif La Maison Tellier Le Pere Milon Le Diable La Petite Roque Lui? Mademoiselle Pearl Le Horla Clair de Lune Des Vers Recollections of Guy de Maupassant by His Valet by François Tassart ...
Original Short Stories of Maupassant, Volume 1 by Guy de Maupassant
Original Short Stories, Volume 5 (of 13) by Guy de Maupassant
Joanna was sabotaged by her sister and ended up in a stranger’s bed. Despised by her boyfriend and pressured by her family, she was forced to marry a wealthy scoundrel, Rhys. Rhys’ young adoptive father was the richest man in town, but was also said to be violent. Everyone thought Joanna was doomed, but Owen favored her and condemned her bullies. Joanna secretly loved Owen, but after a night of passion, he began to withdraw from her. Heartbroken, she entertained other men. She was on a date when Owen suddenly barged in. "You said you loved me!" Joanna smirked. "Too late. You’ll have to get in line."
Eliza Greer was abandoned by her mother, raised in an orphanage, and sold to the Burns family at 19. Even though she marries Mason Burns, the other people in the Burns family look down on her for her poor identity and want to try every way to bully her. Unexpectedly, they all failed. Eliza's hidden identities are gradually revealed in one incident after another, which astonishes everyone.
For as long as Emily can remember, she has wanted to overcome her shyness and explore her sexuality. Still, everything changes when she receives an invitation to visit one of the town's most prestigious BDSM clubs, DESIRE'S DEN. On the day she chose to peruse the club, she noticed three men, all dressed in suits, standing on the upper level, near the railing. Despite her limited vision, she persisted in fixating on them. Their towering statues belied the toned bodies concealed by their sharply tailored suits-or so she could tell. The hair of two of them was short and dark, and the third had light brown-possibly blond-hair that reached the shoulders. The dark, crimson background incised their figures, exuding an air of mystery and strength. They stood in stark contrast to the unfiltered, primal energy that pulsed through the club. Shocked by the desires these men aroused in her, she was disappointed to learn that they were masters seeking a slave to divide and conquer. She couldn't afford the fee, and she also realized that they were outside her league. Emily hurriedly left the club, feeling disappointed and depressed, unaware that she had also caught the group's attention. A world of wicked pleasure, three handsome men. Over the years, they have lived a life of decadence, their lavish lair serving as a stage for their most sinister desires. But despite the unending parade of willing subjects, one woman sticks out. A mysterious stranger with white porcelain skin and a killer body, a slave, a name with no address, the first lady to attract their eye and they will go to any length to obtain her no matter the consequences.
Linsey was stood up by her groom to run off with another woman. Furious, she grabbed a random stranger and declared, "Let's get married!" She had acted on impulse, realizing too late that her new husband was the notorious rascal, Collin. The public laughed at her, and even her runaway ex offered to reconcile. But Linsey scoffed at him. "My husband and I are very much in love!" Everyone thought she was delusional. Then Collin was revealed to be the richest man in the world. In front of everyone, he got down on one knee and held up a stunning diamond ring. "I look forward to our forever, honey."
Ethan always viewed Nyla as a compulsive liar, while she saw him as aloof and insensitive. Nyla had cherished the notion that she was dear to Ethan, yet she felt coldly rejected when she realized her place in his heart was insignificant. No longer trying to break through his coldness, she stepped back, only for him to alter his approach unexpectedly. She challenged him, "If you trust me so little, why keep me around?" Ethan, who had once carried himself with pride, now stood before her with a humble plea. "Nyla, I've made mistakes. Please don't walk away from me."
Looking at the divorce papers my lips curled up into a mocking smile. 'How big fool I am? How can I think that he will give a chance to this marriage? How can I forget that I was nothing more a tool in his eyes to vent his anger until his beloved Tara is back. Since, she was back, how can he let me stay there?' "After you will sign these papers, you will receive 100 million dollars as alimony." the lawyer added. Because of his words, I came back to my senses took the pen from him, and signed the name. I have also gotten exhausted from this marriage both physically and mentally. Even though I had wanted my child to be born into a complete family, I didn't want my child to have a stepmother and live miserably like me for the rest of his life. After taking the papers from my hand, the lawyer gave me the bank card, turned around, and was about to leave when he paused at the door. He then turned around and added, "Mr. Carter said that he hoped that you won't pester him, or you have to bear the consequences." The lawyer's words were like a knife stabbing in my heart, but I still nodded. Anyway, I also don't plan to have anything to do with him anymore. I just want to live a good life with my children. After the lawyer left, the ward fell into silence. I placed my hand on my belly and said to my children, "Baby, I am sorry, Mommy can't give you a complete family! But I promise you, I will do my best to give the love of both mother and father." 'As for giving one of my child, I will never do that. They are my babies and my alone. I and I will give birth to all of them and raise them no matter what.' Four Years Later... Anya came back to the country with her three kids, to inherit the company left by his grandfather...