The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1881-04-01

Are you in authority in this
house, sir, over all its inmatesA
she questioned. 1t We are pris,
oners, let us know it. You can then
enforce your Wishes
"You do me injustice, mademOi-
sella." he said, in low, thrilling |
tones. II beg Won, for your own
sake not to venture out this morn
ing.n
"Your prayers and commands |
are AL one To me, sir" she retorted.
The next moment she had gained
the street fear iorgotten in her in
dignaut anger. With quick step
she hasteued in the necessary dl-
rection. Beyond Il rude stare OF
admiration she WAS unmOlested,
and her few purchases were ef-
fected.
She started to return, when con-
ing immediately toward her, ex-
Tending FROM the curb to the wall,
was line of PruSsian soldiers,
arm linked in arm, their steps mn
steady from liquor, aud their voices
raised in laughter aud song. What
should she dol She feared to turn
aud tlre least they should pursue
her. Perhaps by hiding her tremot
aud walking boldly on they might
make room for her to pass.
"Pay us toll, my pretty Fran
caise," ,"said one, fastening his coarse
gaze upon her.
ayes; pay MS toll" " the others
echoed, "a kiss apiece 7
Concealiug the awful sinking ut
her heart, shc strove to pass them
hy stepping down from the curb (;
but the outside man aud fist
speaker threw out his arm to pre-
vent her escape.
"No, nor he said, in freezing
tones. "You are our prisoner, aud
we will let you oil easy. Pay us
willingly and we will prove good as
our word. Drive MS to force and
well help ourselves
TO scream would be but to gath.
er round her fresh tormentors, so
she struggled to appear calm.
"Let me pass" she said IN low.
indignant tones, when, without de.
signing further parley, the first
speaker threw his arm about hei
waist.
She felt his tainted breath upon
her cheek. Oh, God! must her
lips be polluted by his touch.
With sudden strength she
wrenched herself from his grasp
the brutal laugh OF theothers leer
Ing on her ears.
A scream, loud and long, bursI
from her lips, followed BY another
as her prosecutor again approached
when, as if by magic, some one
darted in between them aud feilet
the rullian to the ealth.
: The others, bold with drink
muruured angrily, but u gl' apin'
pistol soon silenced them, even n
they recogi IL plthe Young colonel
aud respectfully moved away.
Calling n guard, he put the mai
!. he held under his heel IN arrest
then turned aud offered his arm t
l
the trembling girl.
She saw, then, for the first time
: that it was Hugh Won Trenck VIII
/ had saved her. Haughtily refusin
7 his arm, hating herself, hating hin
more, she walked Oh III NJ eneeby h'
$ sile. At her door she forced her
self to speak "Sir, | owe You NJ
thanks" she said.
e "Male,noiselle, tho day vi
: come when yon will pay your del
e in tnll,n he replied, and left her.
What did he meant His word
!. the man himself haunted her. Ho
& brave and full of courage be ha
ie been! How nobly he had COME
Ie her relief! How generously |
Y had uttered no word ot reproac
IN or of the truth that she had brongl
| it all on herself. Ii he had ~
, been Prussian, she might almo
have liked him. As it was-b
r. she cot no further than this. 81
a broke down in II storm ot tears.
r.. A week later the troops, all b
i. a small reserve, were ordered OF
III for a sortip. Paris had long be-
in siege, and must soon capitnlaI
n. With all her heart Marie pray
IN night and day for success TO l
Vii flag already doomed. That h
cause could be lost seemed to h
er impossible.
~ The third day the fighting ceas
the Prussians were again vic'
rious; bat all night long they ",
Mt bringing back the dead aud woul
nd ed to the little town.
at. 1t was just daybreak when
~ souad OF soldiers halted III |
I'D door. She had not dreamed
e,l undressing during the long mig
l,,s A nameless dread had tortured h
va Size knew in this moment what
to- was, as herself size went down a
tbrew open the door to receive
va pale, sensekss torm they bore.
iss "This way y she said With ql'
gas dignity, and led the way to her o
room aud her own bed.
,od He told her she wonli repay
the debt. Could be have forseeh 7
md dayi Would he ever know W
,rs she had done tor him
to For weeks his life hung III
,ud balance; but one night he ope'
his ornr eyes TO consciousness,