Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1880-11-24
Taken by Storm.

Mademoiselle, we are obliged to ask
your hospitality. Believe me, we will en-.
croach upon it as little as possible"
The speaker, young Prussian officer in
full uniform, bent low before the beautiful
girl whom he addressed. But Maria
Moreau saw neither the courtly grace of
manner, or noted the young, handsome
| face and form, She only knew that the
enemy of her county stood before her, that
the tri-color of France had been dragged
down from its standard where it hoated
protectingly over the little French town,
| and the hated banner Of Prussia put in its
| stead that the very privacy of their hearths
| and homes had been intruded upon-in
! many instances, ruthessly-and that the
| man before her was representative of all
| that the disaster entaled.
Sir" she answered, her lip curling in
| undisgused scorn as she spoke, 1--WE are
| women. and defenseess. 1t fits you well
| that you should make a pretense Of asking,
| through courtesy that which you have
! already obtained by force. The only request
| we can make uI our guests, -empha.
! sizing the latter word with supreme irony
sis that we may be permitted to see as
| little Of them as possible Unless your
| regretiul consideration demands all the
| house. leave us any portion, however small,
| that shall ne ours, not only III word but in
deed"
| Mademolsele, your wishes are com.
mands,' answered the young officer, though
a flush had risen TO his cheek at her hot
words Of scorn. My advice to you would
be to take the upper floor, where there
| would be no excuse of intrusion upon you.
| wish most earnestly that ! might with.
draw my men from the house, but it is i'm.
possible The town is small, and the troops
are many. They are Quartered everywhere,
and even should ! Withdraw them, you
might be subjected to fresh annoyance,
from which it will be my earnest endeavor
to shield you. Permit me, Mademoiselle,
to hand you my card, and to beg you to
command my services, and to report to me
any incivility which you may encounter"
Sospeaking, he placed on the table beside
| her "a Slip of pasteboard, and making low
bow withdrew.
The girl made no motion toward it, not
even bending the naughty little head in
recognition of his courtesy.
Really, Marie" said her aunt stretching
out her hand for the card,' the young man
was very polite 1t would have been better
policy, my DEAR had your manner not
been so repellant."
Repelant," exclaimed the young girl,
rising from her seat in her excitement, and
pacing up and down the room. :" wish
| could have crushed him with my scorn.
| Does he not know that true French
woman will bear any insult rather than the
humiliation of Prussian magnanimity?
hate him! / hate them nllI How shall ]
! eye, draw free breath. knowing that they
| live on the same air that sustsinS me! All |!
| France, be patient, it is but for little
l longer"
1 Hugh Won Trenck," read the elder
lady, aloud. from the card. We must not
lose this. The young man may really he OF
future service to u.s."
"Aunt, how can you? Give me the card,
or tear it up yourself. Do you think |
| would ask a favor at his hands-aye, or
accept one? Never, never" and the bright
eyes flashed.
But madam quietly slipped the piece of
pasteboard within the reticule she wore at
her belt, determining, if necessary, to take
| the young officer at his words.
Madame will pardon a strangers inter
ference. but must beg that neither she
nor mademoiselle venture in the streets
to-day. The soldiers are in state of revel.
nv and riot, which might subject them to
insult. Any commands l should be happy
to fulfill.
Respectfully,
HUGH Won TRENCK.
Madame Moreau, some three days latter,
read'aloud the above from card just slip.
ped beneath the door.
Her niece stood before the glass; tying
on her hat and listening, with curling lips.
"You see. Marie" she said glancing from
her writing, "you must not 60 out. 1t
| would be rash madness"
But Marie only picked up her veil and
began adjusting it across her pretty face.
marie, do you hear me?'
ayes, aunt" she answered, "but mas.
much as I am very hungry. and there is
nothing in the house to eat, ] think it
rather a matter of necessity than of choice.
Besides, would rather have open insult
than Herr Hugh Won Trenck's magnani.
nous interference. Have no fear, auntie.
am quite able to take care of myself.
And in spite of the elder lady s entreates,
and with a goodbye kiss, and a reassuring
smile she was gone.
But the smile faded as she stood a
moment on the threshold of the outside
door and glanced up and down the street,
filled with soldiers The color in her cheek
paled TO wilderness. and her heart beat
loud and fast.
She almost determined to turn back,
when some one, standing at her elbow, said,
in tones so earnest as to be nearly harsh:
"Did your aunt not receive my warning?
1t was Hugh Won Trenck who spoke.
care you in authority in this house, sir,
over all its inmates?" she questioned. "If
we are prisoners, let us know it. You can
then enforce your wishes"
"You do me injustice, Mademoiselle,"
he replied, in low, thrilling tones. 81 beg
you for your sake, not for mine, not to
venture out this morning."
"Your prayers and commands are all one
TO me sir" she retorted.
The next moment she had gained the
street, fear forgotten in her indignant anger
With quick step she fastened in the neces
sary direction. Beyond a rude stare of
admiration she was unmolested, and her
few purchases were effected.
She started to return, when coming i'm.
mediately toward her extending, from the
curb to the wall, was line OF Prussian
soldiers, arm linked in arm, their steps
unsteady from liquor, and their voices
raised in laughter and song. What should
she dor She feared to turn and fee, lest
they should pursue her. Perhaps by hiding
her tremor and walking boldly on they
might make rooEa for her to pass. Herr