Litchfield enquirer., 1871-01-19
sJnles had gone. and sue had forgotten


 it to execute Madame's commissions fol her. l can't tell, now, of all the queer places went to, nor>the strange people met on these errands; but there was sc much to think of, aud every thing was so | full of interest, and we were all so occupi- ed with the war, that notbing made much impression of itself; life, from day to day, being Q shifting kaleidoscope of dramatic scenes; and madame always explained her affairs as resulting from an unpleasant complication about property with her hus- bands relations, in which l could serve her better than Jules, ;who might get into a family difficulty if he had the handling ! of so delicate matter. Then she would call me sagacions and secret, and, ol course, held my tongue. ..
 Things were at this point, ,when Bourgogne appeared one morning in the uniform of captain of the Garde Mobile. .Ls.srC-. "I am ordered on duty," he said grayely 'sin the Department of the Seine-et- Marne saw an old comrade of mine this morn ing, who was wounded at Weissenburg. begin to fear that matters are going wrong yonder. The emperor manages too muct and has lot of addIe-heads about>him. | we are in for long war, and you think you had better go home, you will do what you can for my cousin l am sure ; but, O. course, Paris will be in no danger. Adieu good friend" and, sobered for once. Jules marched off, whistling ''La Marseillaise, and under my window heard him singing as he marched along: !. 4F 3# ssEn avant, marchons
 E sFi Contre leurs canons :; ..f3 .-
 Courons au feu, ..... ert&3o Au leu des> >battaliions.n .'
 In the afternoon went. as usual, to pay my respects to Madame de Lisle. I found her rather pale and dejected, reading the edict of banishment of Germans from the soil of France.
 "It will bring much trouble upon the poor people," she lamented and on, this subject her thoughts remained fixed till al length, apologizing to me for her abstrac ton, she seated herself at her writing table and scratched few lines, which she beg ged me to carry to No.;7, Rue de rOratoire where I could deliver them to M. Hassler her German profersor. E promptly hastened on this errand, but on the staircase of No. 7, I encountered { gendarme, who arrested my course and de handed my business. n I told him whom sought, and his brow contracted. a., =% Bus
 'sHassler Is under arrest! fe
 "On what charger" I asked. ....... . <4ks afsoaat of tho Pru&sian Gnvern ment-a spy" a.F. @ t 5' @
 I was in consfernation, and saw the ne cessity of caution, So I turned to leave the house without further barley, when my passage was barred by the bayonet of the guard. -.-.5 aH .a>3- t.,.. su.s- s.. .''You wished to sec Hassler?' se 5 .Yes." ,. | 'What do you want of him?''
 Ihesitated, saw that the bold tone would only lead me into difficulties, so ] smiled gayly, though in much inward trep idation, and said
 Don't be too curious, mon brave only 8 message from a lady," @.a
 The suspicious face did not relax.
 .'You are no Frenchman, can tell by your tongue possibly you, too, are [ spy:' boa. : so@ % ,.a.' My friend,' I said, in most conciliato ry tones, you mistake me altogether; have no sympathy with the Germans; am the friend of France, though not na tive. am an American" -s.e4z3 B..
 The stern features softened little then contracted again. ...., -.~-.
 "Prove it," he said severely.
 Opportunely remembered that in my wallet was a tiny flag, placed there by low ing hands before left home, and, plung ing into the depths of my pocket, I fshec up the treasure, displayed the silken stars and stripes. .......t.- .4t .-a
 ''That is my best proof, I said.
 The soldier smiled grimly and raised his bayonet. a aa5asl
 eve do not fight that flag he said ''Pass on but beware to whom you carry ladies' messages in these times" ~ ! :. I sped back to Mo- 49. and burst il upon Madame de Lisle with my intelligence. .. si"My note. she said, anxiously; "where is it?".o sagal 8 1aatl,1t} ssN 5,ste.-s
 Isearched my pockets-it was gone h vain poured out their contents upon the floor, and turned those unfortunate recep. tacles inside out ;; it was nowhere to be found. In pulling out my pocket-book, had probably drawn it out unawares, and ii had by this time fallen into hostile hands.
 "I trust there was nothing of a political nature in your note to your professor, madame" said, carelessly, little thinking of the signifcation of my words; but was thunderst1uck at the effect they pro. duced.
 Madame de Lisle looked at me with a face blanched to the color of her handker. chief, but with the same steady, nnhihch- ing gaze with which she had studied me at our first interview. Sf4s'8@f s''Mr. -, she said, II have never been deceived in my judgment of man. know that you are trustworthy and resolute. will you help me in this emergency, which demands promptitude and courage? I am obliged to leave this house instantly, with. out a moments delay. Imnst go to Eng land to morrow; in the mean time, I must go to an hotel as newly arrived traveller, and under an assumed name. My safety depends upon your readiness and discre. tion. Will you help me? Do not fear that my heart will fail. l will sustain you in any invention that you may find necessa try.p 2 | e #
 | could we'll believe her. Her paleness had given place to brilliant flush, unusual to her white cheek; her eyes glowed with g calm and steadfast lustre. Iuscrutable anG unflinchiDg she looked She volunteered no information, and asked no questions The adventure, pleased d me. consented t. any course she chose to indicate.
 She paused moment for reflection, con |ceived plan, matured 1t, and then an nounced her intention. A . E sT shall add a wrinkle or two to my face. she said, ssand adopt q more antique eos tame You will bea nephew escorting | beloved aunt to England. A I shall speal mo French. so that my accent will not be