The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1880-11-12
Select Story.
TAKEN By STORM.

'NiadamuiSollc. we are obliged to ask
your hospitality. Believe me. we will
cucroach upon it as little as possible.
The speaker. young Prussian officer
in full uniform,benj low before the beau
tiful girl whom he addressed
But Maria Morcau saw neither the
courtly grace Of manner nor noted the
young, handsome face and form. She
only knew that the enemy of her country
stood before her, that the tri-coor Of
France had been dragged from its stand
ard where it tioated protectingly over
| the 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 ruthlcssly-and that the man
before her was but a representative OF all
| that disaster cntailcd.
Sir, she answered, her lip curling in
uudi,guiscd scorn rs she spoke, we are
women. and defenselcsS. 1t fits YOU
well that YOU should make a'prctcnsc of
asking through courtesy, that which You
/ have already obtained through force.
/ Th, only request we can make OF our
/ guests emphasizing the latter word
( with supreme irony is that we may be
permitted to see as little Of them rs pos
! SibIr. Unless your regrctfuI considcra
/ ton demands al the house, leave us
any portion. however small. that shall hC
ours, not only in word bui in deed.
/ MulcmoiScllc. your wishes are com
mlud.. answered the young officer
though a flush had risen to his check a'
her hot word, of scou. My advice t,
you would be to take the upper floor
/ where there would be no excuse of in
tuSon upon YOU | wish most earnest
ly that | might withdraw my men from
the house, but it is impossible. The town
is small and the troops are many. The.
are quatercd everywhere, and, ever
should withdraw them. YOU might b.
subjected to fresh annoyance, from
which it shall he my earnest cndcayo
to shield you. Permit me, madcmoiSello
to hand you my card, and to beg You It
command my services, and to report t.
mo any inciyili,y which you may en-
counter.
So speaking, he placed on the tabl
beside her slip of pastrboard, and max
ing Il low bow withdrew
The girl made no motion toward il
not even bending the naughty little hca
in recognition Of his courtesy
Rcally, Maria. said her aunt, street
iug ont her hand for the card, the youu
man was very polite, 1t would hav
been policy, my dear, had your name
not been SO rcpelant.
Rcpcllantn exclaimed the young cir
rising from her seat in her excitement
and pacing up and down the room
| wish could have crushed HIM with m
>corn Docs he not know that a tru
French woman will bear any insult ratl
cr than the humiliation Of Prussian ma2
uauimity! hate him, hate them nj
How shall | ever draw free meatI
knowing that they live on the same n
that sustaiuS me, An France, be p,
t,cnt, it i, hu, for little longer,
Hugh Won Trenck, read the cid,
lady aloud from the card. We must u,
lose this The young man may real
be of future service to uS
Aunt, how can YOU! Give me Il
'al'N or tear u Ul loUIH'II' no I'
think would ask favor at lis hands
aye or accept one! Never never, IN
the bright eyes flashed.
But madam quietly slipped the pie,
of pastoboard within the reticule 81
wore at her belt, determining, if nccc
sary, to take the young officer at h
word.
MADAME will pardon a strangers i
reference, but | must beg that ncith
she nor mademoisclle venture out I'M
the strcets.to-day. The soldiers are in
state of reyelry and riot, which mig
subject them to insult Any commmn,
| should be happy to fulfill,
Respectfully,
IIuGH NoN TRENcK.
Madame Moreml, some three DAYS IL
cr reads aloud the above from a ca
just slipped beneath the door,
Her niece stood before the glass tyiI
on her hat and listening, with curlil
lips
you see, Maria, She said, glanciI
up from the writing, you must not
bout, 1t would be rash madness
But Maria only picked up her veil al
began adjusting it across her pretty ia,
l Maria, you hear thatl'