The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1879-07-26

jules wound was comparatively slight,
but fright and excitement threw her into
fever which robbed her of sense and consci-
ouss for ten long dreary days and nights.
All through the delirium, her brain teemed
with the events of the unlucky day of the
soldier visit, but the faithful attendants
poundered in vain over the possible mean
ing of her constantly repeated words
-"Thank God, he is safe"
The anxious watchers almost dreaded the
girls return to consciousness, for reports
had come of the mysterious disappearance
of Emil Garnier, her lover, and it was sup
posed that he had either shamefully de-
serted, or fallen victim to the enemy.
AT last the light of reason came back to
jules eyes, and, as they had all expected,
Emil was the first word en- her lips but,
as she spoke his name, she started with q
wild cry
"How long have been ill9 Answer
me, queklyp
"Ten days yesterday, mOdemoiselle, and
we have been in such "a"
"Oh, MY God Ten daysl Then he is
dead, and have killed him God be ner-
ful, and grant me breath to rxplain."
Oh, Mademoiselle Julie, do calm yourself
and lie down again. You will kill yourself.
What thing has happened p cried Toin-
cite, falling on her knees before the bed,
from which her mistress had half risen.
Julie, with bosom heaving, and cheeks
and lips ashen pale, said, in sharp, quick
tones, as if fearing her strength might
fail:
"Take the large key that was in the
bosom of my dress the day was wounded
clear away the bushes from the bottom of
the ravine, under the great tilleul tree, and
unlock the door hidden there. Take lights.
You need not tell me what you find
miserable wretch that am, l know too
we'll Col There is no time TO lose Oh,
Emil, my darlingp
She fell back in death-like swoon, and
Toinette flew from the room for help and
the execution of her mistress last strange
command.
Not many moments elapsed before group
of frightened women and boys stood huddled
together before the mysterious oaken door
under the wall, waiting in breathless ex-
pectancy while Toinette turned the key.
AS the door opened, man, pale and hag
gard, with rough beard and soldiers
tarnshed uniform, staggered forward to the
light.
"In the name of all the saints, it is Mon
seur EMIL" they cried, joyfully gathering
around him.
GLOW came you in such dismal place
How long have yJu been here? We thought
you were Dead" echoed on every side.
"Let me go where can stretch my legs
and breathe the fresh air again. | will ex-
plain everything later. Here, Toto, your
arm; am weak as baby"
The farm servants, to whom startling
events were growing TO be an every day oc-
currence, bore the released captive back to
house, when, with every expressions of ass
constituent and concern, he heard of tho
misfortune that had befallen his fancee.
When Julie Garcn ogain awoke to the
world and its trials, it was to meet Emil's
loving gaze shining down upon her.
d" My Darlington have had a hard strug-
gle for your life, and for my sake too" he
said, pressing her thin hand to his lips.
" Is it you Emil, or is my brain forever
+ going to play me false? I had pictured TO
myself such horrible vision of youi dying
by inches, of starvation and cold, in that
dreadful den What merciful Providence
intervened to save you ?"
Later, when you are stronger, Julie, |
will tell you all my adventures, but you
cannot bear 1t now."
Oh, yes; am strong and well, since you
are restored to me. Tell me everything"
confess" began Emil, "that l could
not feel altogether grateful for your thought
, fulness in locking me up in that dark hole
and as time wore on and no release came, !
made the place echo with muilled oaths
To amuse myself, carefully explored my
new quarters, and found in one cornera a gen.
/ erous hoard OF various eatables-apples
bread, and the like. Julie does not mean
/ to condemn me to starvation, at all events,
l SAID to myself, as my watch ticked away
4 one hour after another. There was also q
keg of cider conveniently open, and provid.
/ ed with a straw and with this, and the
shawl YOU left, together with piece Of old
carpet that covered the provisions, / sal
down and made myself as comfortable as
circumstances would permit, while watch
ed the candle flare up and go out AS nc
sound broke the stiffness, grew almost des
/ perate, and l spent my waking hours in al
ternate fears for your welfare, anger at youi
, neglect, and cursings Of my fate. ! slep
=, long and often, fortunately, and thus, o.
: course, did not suffer from hunger or thirst
. but the cold and darkness were very hart
. to bear. They tell inc | was in that den
only ten days, but it seemed to me tel
thousand years"
Oh, Emil, how can ! ever forgive my
! self for all this needless misery that yol
have endured !" sobbed Julie; "but wha
u good fairy could it have been that gathered
together this food which saved your life p
Au uneven step was heard crossing tht
room.
=" Bon jour, Denis" said Julie, extending
I, her hand 10 the awkward fellow, who h, {
stolen into the room. Can you explain
how all this provisions came TO be IN tn,
q dungeon2"
: "Perhaps whoever robbed the store room
= hid his spoils there" suggested Toinette.
IS Heaven bless the thief" excaimeC
n Julie, iervently, "for he has sayed my dar
!. ling from a most dreadful DEATH"
To the astonishment Of all present, tn
usually so placid Denis dropped on hi
lie knees, and losing all control Vi his voice
l. stammered:
Mademoiselle Julie, | can keep my Sc
cret no longer. | was that thief. / though
N that when the hard times came, the other
10 could better take care of themselves than
:. My lame leg, you know, makes me no goo,
~ at fighting. Icould not run for my life, an
should only be left at home 10 stsrve. Earl
d in the summer, found the entrance 10 tha
IN ong-snce-lorgotteh powder cave, and 10
" fear Of the worst, 4 slowed away there enougl
oi food TO keep body and soul together for
,d few weeks"