Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1880-10-14

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
barrcade the house entrance.
Father, l cried, wake up-thc peo'
pie, the soldiers are upon us! We can
escape through the window
| But it Was too late. 1t seemed as 1t
the whole town had turned out. The
people were in the garden now, un.
der the windowe, yelling and shout
ing, and on came the steady tramp of
the soldiers. hastened to the escri
toire where papa kept his pistols,
which were always loaded. | seized
them and hid them in my dress, while
papa thoroughly alive now to our
peril, barred the window as we'll as
the frail shutter would permit.
Give me that sword, child he said.
l think my old hands can do some
work yet. Lo Bruu will come doubt
less and be shall understand it was
my doing.
Listening, l heard the soldiers halt
outside, and the people receive an or
der to fall back. Then | heard lie
Bruins voice and the sound Of scutling
and shrieks and trampling Of feet. |
stood waiting as calm and quiet out
wardly as if my heart was not throb-
bing wildly.
Presently heard Col. lie Brun de-
manding almittance, which, Ct course
F'adette gave him; and the next min
ute the salon door was broken open
and the colonel strobe in, his w!ry
moustache seeming to curl with rage.
The room was instantly filled with
soldiers; and beyond them, | saw the
fierce faces, row after row Of the mob
who had got in in spite Of or with the
connivance Of the military,
Now then, monsieur, and YOU ma
demoiselle, said lie Brun, want an
account Of your treacherv. Ion have
triNel with an officer OF the French
army, monsieur and have contrary to
the laws Of war and Of Your boasted
neutrality, hal bored an invader and
an enemy-Count Ernst Won l.lchten-
stein, an officer Of Uhlans'
Before papa could make an answer
| stepped forward.
alone am responsible, Colonel Le
Brun, said clearly and firmly, for
the ruse practised on you. Ny faith
er is ignorant of the whole scheme
which | and Count Won Lichtenstetn
carried out, | amshappy to say, with
such success. He never knew that
the Count was in the house, and his
hatred Of the Germans and especially
the Uhlans, is too well known in Yer
vain to need me to tell you that he
would never have succorel an enemy
of the French army.
Wretched girl, replied tie colonel,
you condemn yourself if you speak
the truth; you paint yourselfa wom-
an dishonored.
| do not, l said unfinchingiy. ]
am the promised wife Of Count von
LicLtenstein. I saw no dishonor in
sheltering m7 betrothed husband.
CHANGING at my father | saw a
troubled look upon his face. There
was momentary pause and then he
sprang forward eagerly and called TO
lie Brun to defend himself. But at a
sign from his commanding officer, o
soldier stepped out, and in another
second the grayhaired old man fell a..
my feet. Oh, how the mob behind
yelled and clamorel! | heard one
soldier mutter, ,Supr'sla, but the En-
glish girl is handsome. lfelt that l
was losing all sci: control; still man
aged TO withstand the impulse to shoot
the dastardly colonel where he stood.
Heaven knew that ! wanted all
means of defence Tor myself. Oh, if
only Ernst was here.
! remember exactly how we were
placed. l was standing with my
back against the wall, Col. LIE Brun
was standing in the middle Of the
room, his soldiers were behind him,
and the people were crowding in at
the door. | heard Fadettes shrill
voice and the hoarse murmur with.