Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-10-22
Taken by Storm.

MRuemOlSe.le, we are Obliged TO ASK
your hospitality. Believe me, we will
encroach upon it as little as possible. -
The speaker, young Prussian officer
N full uniform, bent low before the
beautiful girl whom he addressed.
But Maria Moresu saw neither the
eourtly grace OF manner, nor noted the
young handsome face and form. She
only knew that the enemy of her coun.
try stood before her, that the tri-color
Of France had been dragged down from
It, standard where IL foated protecting
~ over the little French town, and the
hated banner OF Prussia put in its stead /;
shat the very privacy of their hearths
and homes had been intruded upon-in
many instances, ruthlessly-and that
the man before her was but represent
ative OF all that the disaster entailed.
"Sir, she answered, her lip curling
m undisguised scorn as she spoke, "we
IRE women, and defenseless. It fits
you we'll that you should make pre-.
tense OF asking, through courtesy, that
which you have already obtained by
force. The only request we can make
sf.our guests emphasizing the latter
word with supreme irony" is that we
-MaS5~Sss ~i,.sss.ssseT'SS' sss rs 1s.Ssciy 81
them a. possible. Unless your regret
tul consideration demands al the house,
Save MS any portion, however small,
mat shall be ours, notonly in word but
IN deed"
"Mademolsalle, -. yaas, wishes are
commands" answered the young off,
cor, though flush had risen to his
cheek at her hot words of scorn. "My
advice to You would be to take the-up-
Per floor, where there would be no ex-
euse for intrusion upon you. wish
most earnestly that I might withdraw
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 I with
draw them. you might be subjected to
nesh annoyance, from which il will be
my earnest endeavor to shield you.
Permit me, Msdemoiselle, to hand you
my card, and to beg you to command
my services. and to report to me any in
eivility which you may encounter"
30 speaking, he placed on the table be.
sade her slip OF pasteboard, and max
ing . 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. It
would have been better policy, my
dear. had Your manner not been SO re-
pellant."
:" Repellant," exclaimed the young
girl, rising from her seat in her excite.
nent. and pacing up and down the
roora. wish / could have crushed
nlm with my scorn. Does he not know
That true Frenohwoman will bear any
insult rather than the humiliation Of
Prussian magnsnimity I hate himl
hate them ALL How shall ever draw
free breath, knowing that they live
on the same air that sustains me-! Ali
France, be patient, il is but for little
Hugh Won Trenck," read the elder
hdy. aloud, from the card. "We must
not lose this. The young man NAV
really 30 of future service TO u.s."
Aunt. how can you? Give me the
sard, OF tear it up yourself. d. you
ssAAuA Wou1O ASK u favor at MS hands
aye. or accept one2 Never, never!"
and the bright eyes flashed.
But Madame quietly slipped the piece
Of pastebosrd within the rcticule she
wore at her belt, determining, if nee
sssary. to take the young officer at his
word.
Madame will pardon strangers in
terference, but must beg that neither
she nor Madamoiselle venture into the
streets to-day. The soldiers are in a
state OF revelry and riot. which might
subject them to insult. Any commands
! should be happy to fulfill. Respect
fully, .HUeH Won TREScK."
Madame Morsau, some three days
later. read aloud the above from a card
Just slipped beneath thu door.
Her niece stood before the glass, tying
on her hat and listening, with curling
lips.
You see, Marie" she said, glancing
mp from the writing, "you must not go
ont. 1t would be rash Madness"
But Marie picked up her veil, and