Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1882-01-14
BY STORM.


we will encroach upon it as little as
possible"
The speaker, a young Prusqian Of
fcer in full uniform, bent low before
the beautiful girl be addressed.
But Matte Moreau saw neither
the courtly grace of manners, nor
noted the young, handsome face or
form. She only knew that the enc
my of her country stood before her,
that the tri-color of France had
been torn from its high standard
where it floated protectingly over the
little French town, and the hated
banner of Prussia put in its stead,
that the very privacy of their homes
and hearths had been intruded upon
in many instances ruthlessly-and
that the man before her was but a
representative of all that the disas-
ter entailed.
"Sir !" she answered, her lip curl
ing i'll undisguised scorn as she
spoke, ''we are women and defence.
less. 1t fits you we'll that you should
make a pretense of asking, through
courtesy, that which you have al
ready obtained through force. The
only request we can make of our no.
BILE guests-emphasizing the latter
word with supreme irony-is that
we may see as little of them as posi-
BILE. Unless your regretful consid-
Grafton demands all the house, leave
us any portion, however small, that
shall be ours, not only in word, but
in deed"
"Mademoiselle, your wishes are
commands" 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 from me.
[ wish most earnestly that I. might
withdraw my men from the house,
but it is impossible. 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 eve be my earnest en-
deavor to shield you. Permit me,
mademoiselle to hand you my card,
and l beg you to command my SER
vices, and to report to me any inciv-
ility which you may encounter"
So speaking he placed on the table
beside her a slip of pasteboard, and
making a low bow withdrew from
her presence.
The girl made no motion toward
it, not even bending the naughty lit
tie head in recognition of his cour-
tesy.
Really, Matte" 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
repellent."
''Repellent!" exclaimed the young
girl, rising from her seat in her x
element, and pacing up and down
the room, II wish | could have
crushed him with my scorn. Does
he not know that a true French
woman will bear any insult rather
than the humiliation of Prussian
magnanimity ? L hate him ! / hate
them all How shall | ever draw a
free breath, knowing that they live
on the same air that sustains me ?
France, be patient; it is but a little
longer"
Hugh Won Trenck," said the
elder lady, aloud from the card.
"We must not lose this. The young
man may really be of future service
to US"
"Aunt, how can you ? Give me
the card or tear it up yourself. Do
you think | would ask a favor at his
hands-ay, or accept one ? Never !
Never ~ and the bright eyes flash
ed.
X z x X
MADAME will pardon a strangers
interference, but | must beg that
neither she nor mademoiselle ven
ture 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