Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1880-08-20

In another moment had the precious
slip of paper in my hand. l thanked my
ancient admirer, and said that Pierre
must go directly. as the day was closing
in.
was sitting at the piano, playing
softly, when suddenly l heard, out of
doors, strange low humming noise that
made my heart beat violently.
"What is that, papa?" l cried hurry
ing to the window.
There was nothing to be seen save a
few flashing lights in the town. Papa
was sleepy, and muttered something
about drunken soldiers" as he got up
and came to my side.
At that moment the garden gate was
burst open, and little dark figure, fol-
lowed by another man's-darted up
the walk and vanished round by the
kitchen entrance.
"What can it meanP" I said in low
tone.
Papa strobe to the door, reused at last;
but, before he got there, it was flung
open, and Fadette rushed in, screaming
at the top of her voice.
"What does this mean, womanp" said
papa sternly.
"What does it meanp" shrieked Fa-
dette. Why it means, Monsieur
PAnglais, this. that you are perfide,
traitre, maudit You have hidden a
devil, who has got away in spite of us !"
"Great Heavenr' 1 said to myself, and
for one second stood still; then stepped
forward
Papa was bewildered and looked from
one to the other.
"What does the woman meanp" he
asked, turning to me. "Whom have l
hidden?"
"Ah, you or your girl there" shrieked
the little virago, pointing to me, while
her lover stood scowling behind. "He
is her lover, know, or he would not
have stole to her window in the dead of
the night. Was it for that she sent me
out of the wayp All, Fadette
knows she forgets not! and she
has her revenge! The cruel uhlans!
And you, monsieur'-turning upon papa
the volubility of this person was mex
haustible-"she and he-the lovers
they have duped you and the good
colonel; and he goes away, with good
safe-conduct!"
think it was only want of breath
that made her stop there. l compre-
hended all now; and yet in that moment
could send up voiceless thanksgiving
that Ernst had escaped.
seized Fadette, and pushed her out
into the passage, and then shut and
locked the door. There was no time,
nor would it have availed, to barricade
the house entrance.
Father" I cried, "wake up-the
people, the soldiers are upon us! We
can escape through the windowm
But it was too late. 1t seemed as il
the whole town had turned out. The
people were in the garden now, under
the windows, yelling and shouting, and
on came the steady tramp of the soldiers
l hastened to the escritoire where papa
kept his pistols, which were always
loaded. I siezed them and hid them in
my dress, while papa, thoroughly alive
now to our peril, barred the window as
well as the frail shutters would permit.
''Give me that sword, child" he said.
81 think my old hands can do some work
yet. lie Brun will come, doubtless, and
he shall understand it was my doing"
Listening, I heard the soldiers halt
outside, and the people receive an order
: to fall back. Then l heard Col. LIE Bruins
. voice and the sound of scuffling, and
shrieks, and trampling of feet. / stood
waiting, as calm and quiet outwardly as
if.my heart were not throbbing wildly
: Presently I heard Col. LIE Brun de-
: manding admittance, which of course
Fadette gave him. and the next minute
the saloon door was broken open, and
the colonel strobe in, his wiry mustacht
seeming to curl with rage. The room
was instantly filled with soldiers; and
beyond them, saw the fierce faces o.
the mob who had got in, in spite of OF
with the connivance of the military.
Now then, monsieur, and you, made
mois elle," said lie Brun, 81 want an ac
count ofyour treachery You have trif1eG
with an officer of the French army
monsieur, and have, contrary to the laws
of war and of your boasted neutrality
harbored an invader and an enemy
Count Ernst Won Lichtenstien, an Officer
of uhlans!"
Glancing atmy father, Isaw troubled
look on his face. There was moment
ary pause, and then he sprang forward
eagerly and called to lie Brun to defent
himself, But, at sign from his com
manding officer, soldier stepped ou.
and in another second the gray-haireC
old man fell at my feet. Oh, how til,
4 mob behind yelled and clamored! Ifel
that was losing all selEcontrol; still
0 managed to withstand the impulse tt
0 shoot the dastardly colonel where Ii,
i stood. Heaven knew that l wanted al
means of defense for myself. Oh, if onl,
/. Ernst were here
: | remember exactly how we wer
o placed. / was standing with my bacl