The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1882-08-05

response; and then no more was said
until we reached the station.
When the train stopped l perceived
several men in the uniform OF the French
police upon the platform, and observed
that they went up to one carrirge AFTER
another and Intercepted the occupants.
As they were approaching the one IN
which we were, my fair companion sud
denly changed her seat for the one next
to mine, threw her arm round my neck,
and rested her head lovingly upon my
shoulder. l was dumb with astonish-
ment and modification at this, as l con-
sidered it most outrageous proceeding,
and was endeavoring to free myself from
the unwelcome embrace, when one OF
the officials came up to the door OF the
compartment, and, perceiving, as he
supposed, the affectionate relations ex-
isting between the lady and myself, said
politely, but with an ironical smile:
+" Pardon, Monsieur! Do not disturb
yourself" Then, turning to his COM
rades; he added: % He whom we seek is
clearly not there"
Here was q nice situation for hus.
band and the father of family? No
sooner had we resumed our journey than
/ said, with considerable indignation:
81 am surprised at your conduct,
madame. / accepted in good faith your
assurance that you would not compro-
mise me; but you have done so, and
most seriously. If the knowledge OF
what has occurred were to reach my
wife l should never hear the last of it.
| Monsieur is married then?" was the
quiet reply, the speaker appearing
amused rather than ashamed.
Ill am" 1 rejoined. briefly.
Monsieur" said my companion
after brief pause, in a graver tone
81 am under too serious an obligation
to you to permit that you should remain
under misapprehension which cause:
you uneasiness. can afford you very
simple explanation of what, at present
appears aninexcusable indiscretion. l."
| '.Indeedr'
Eyes. Convinced that l am speak
ing to a man of honor and gentleman
incapable of betraying me, Twill frank,
confide to you that l am not, as you sup
pose, awoman."
"Not a womanr' l exclaimed, witt
establishment not unmixed with in
credulity.
mo! / have assumed this dress Il
facilitate my escape from Paris. Briefly
monsieur, the circumstances are these.
held a commission as Colonel of an In
fantry regiment during the Commune
and, although l had no share in the ex
cesses by which it was disgraced, tn
mere fact that had been in its servic
! would be sufficient to seal my fate wer
: to fall into the hands of the existin;
Government. For some days past ha'
been concealed in the.house of my sister
This morning she applied for and oh
tanned pass authorizing her to leav'
the city. This, as arranged, she handles
to me; and, armed with it and clad in fe
; male attire, succeeded this evening il
evading the vigilance of the authorities
The attitude assumed toward you, an
for which 1 apologize, was the inspira
, ton of the moment, when / perceive
that the passengers were being examined
as judged that it would disarm sus
picion. Hitherto my disguise has serve'
! me well; and, if you will only permit m
at Calais to represent myself as lad
under your escort, have every hope c
being able to reach England in safety.
1 did not like this proposition at al.
1t might prove very serious matter fc
me were my companion arrested, sine
1 should find myself most probabl
; charged with being accessory to tn
escape from justice of notorious Con
munist. Yet, on the other hand, to n
fuse might cause the sacrifice of the poe
fellows life. After few minutes d.
liberation therefore, said:
If you will give me your word {
l honor that, in the event of your fallin
: into the hands of the authorities, you wi
under no circumstances reveal the fa'
that am aware ofyour real character,
will render you all the assistance in m
: power
"That is fair" was the reply; and
!. pledge you my word as a Frenchma
b and soldier that will exactly obsery
: the condition you have imposed
Nothing more was said on the sui
q ject, and we arrived at Calais withol
aught having occurred to cause us III
easiness. After brief detention at ii
pier while our passports were being e,
n amined, we walked on board the mai
boat together, my companion leanin
affectionately upon my arm. 1t was
relief to my mind, and must have bee
e still more so to his, when, at last, Il
; packet cast loose from the shore an
r fairly started on her voyage across Il
0 Channel. When we arrived at Dove
the ex-Colonel, after warmly thankir
q me for the service had rendered hir
/ babe me adieu; and and / have new
0 seen him since. "-Fanlily Herald.
A Midnight Sidewalk Marriage.