Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-01-31

me the chaft OF the river, tnat i may convince
ny comrades, who are not accustomed to i'm
plicit obedience And now, my dear brother,
must find my way to the Villa POTTER He con-
cealed the chart on his person, andwrung my
"At this moment the outer door was flung
violently open with great clatter Of military
accoutrements-my TWO German officers coming
in! Ernest cast hasty burning glance around,
and snatched up knife that lay ON my table,
a curious silver-mounted CircaSsian dagger,
which had been given me by one of my trav.
eled friends, and which l commonly used as a
pal er-knife.
HUSH 1 whispered; they will not come
here; they will go to their own rooms
But tonight, OF all nights, my inmates de,
parted from their usual practice. They had
b. en- suppi1g with comrades. and were merry
and excited as If with vile. The light usually
placed for them in the passage had been acci-
dentally extlnguished, and seeing the glare
from my room, they advanced and stood In the
doorN ay, peeriDg in with an owltSh expression
Of got d-nature on their blonde stolid faces.
"'f eTS for you. worthy Sir cried the elder
Nef ture not out tonight; for after the hour just
struck all circulation IS forbidden except with a
special pass. The sentries are doubled, and all
q on the alert: for a band of assassins-francs-
tireurS. they call themSelveS-are lurking in the
forest close b.
Il thought that the glare of Ernest's eyes
from under his capeline, hastily pulled over his
face as the Prusstans entered, would have be-
trayed him; but our foes were in happy. I'M
critical frame OF mind. They had not noticed
my companion at the first moment, dazzle1 by
the glare OF my lamp; and when they saw the
supposed Susette, they exchanged glanceS, and
began to laugh furttvely. Perhaps the attitude
unconsciously assumed b. Ernest who stool
leaning over my fauteuil was rather familiar for
servant Anyhow. they began to rally me
broadly about Susette. Here was second
FuuSf,' cried one; the sage turned into the be-
trayer of innocence They saw that was an
gered, and only laughed the louder. Ernest be-
hind NE boiling with rage, and ready in a mo-
ment to spring upon them.
".We ale two for two,' he muttered, under
his breath; but held up warning finger. The
thing was madness. In the extremity of sus-
penSe and danger however, found luminous
placing my brother in comparative safety
'Messieurs,' said gravely; 4 am glad you
can amuse yourselves with such childish joke.
My servant here about whose presence you are
pleased to make merry. has brought me an ur-
gent message from my friend, NJ. POTTER, OF the
villa on the heights
...Ah, we know him! Prince L. is there, and
some of the headquarters staff. There Is
charming daughter, too. Ha! ha! our Princess
know how to choose their quarters. They share
the penchant Of sdrdnts for the rustic of pet
ticoat.'
'.Again thought that Ernest would have
flown at them; but warned him with glance
'sMy friend, NJ. POTTER 1 said. sternly.
will inform the Prince OF the motives imputed
TO him.
".Oh, no, nor cried the Germans; pray don't
repeat our words; we We're only jesting.
'.'Well, as you have had your joke, said re-
Stunning my good humor, perhaps you will give
lle Oul HclD MdudillC ObIlCi 10 dangerously
i'll. and requires Lcy professional assistance to
arrange her affairs. 1t is matter OF urgent
necessity. Susette will accompany me to the
villa with a lantern. Kindly give me the con-
signe. that may pass your sentreS safely.
The young men became instantly grave and
sobe:ed. What you ask is impossible. 1t is
forb dden to tell the password; but we are anX-
iOus to obtge you. Come, we will ourselves
accompany you, and pass you to your desttna-
ton
..This was favorable turn of affairs on the
fort Ot
insure us against detention and awkward eX-
aminauons. True that when we reached the
villa they might see the real Susette, and thus
detect the false, but sufficient for the moment
We're its own perils. | extingushed my lamp
at once and went out into the street, l holding
fast by the supposed Susette on the preteyt OF
my near-S ightedneSs. we passed line OF SEN
ties, eltcitng challenges at every moment At
more than one post we were stopped, ani low
cOny erSation would ensue between our Goa
ductors and the officers on duty. The word
giveI-all'S well-we passed On, our hearts be-
ginning to beat once more.
LAS we descended the hill we emerged from
the fog into clearer atmosphere, and were
soon in sight of the house OF NJ. Potter. The
lower rooms were brilliantly lighted up, and the
strains OF music could be heard-clarionet and
hoIn-in gay dancing measure, with the rush
OF cancers feet, the mlrmur OF voices, and the
sound OF light laughter
"'For sick house merry one,' said one OF
my companions dryly; and at the momeAt felt
COZ founGed, thinking my ruse detected, incred-
IDLE as ii seemed that my friend should be thus
dancing and making merry over his couutry's
nlisfortuneS. But as We approached the case
became clear. Through the long windows we
saw the glitter OF splendid uniforms; number
OF PruSsianS OF high rank, as | gathered, were
enjoying frolic. There might have been IN
Wo thy FleAch women among them. OF that
KIN W nothing.
"To my intense relief at this point our COM
panions drew off. Here were Hers and Vons
II seemed, of the blue blood, twicc-born BaronS
TWO SWorded DamioS: and our humble infantry
Officf With the awe OF rank Inherent In Tell
tonic blood feared to intrlde upon them. They
wou!G wait on the terrace, and begged Inc to
lose no time"
Lero the notary broke of, seeing Resale ap-
PFC ach with her arms full OF bottles and Jars of
ltqueura and strong waters
.'And the kirsch," cried the notary. ''RoSa-
lie, don't 70: get the kirchenwaSSer.'
CHAPTER II.
''Ies, try the kirSch," said the notary; "thc