Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-09-09
praisedl such q resolution could not stand
How would she have despised me! On the
following morning benned the following lines:

How would she have despised me! On the
following morning penned the following lines:
for S h viii LETT OF
Germany win: i. WIN Al yet turn on. well. You must
Saye,s ascend for God
After the letter had been dispatched, felt
somewhat calmer, but my heart bled and quiv-
cred in the depth of distress. l changed my
residence and watched the course of events.
Reports came in profusiOn, only to be contra
dicted. All the world knows how the French
people were deceived and cheated; yet the &C
counts of the mighty events around Sedan could
neither be CARRIED nor denied-the blow was
too Oyerpowerng As a direct consequence
there ensued the proclamation of the republic,
and a new spirit, freshly-bcrn courage, mo-
mentary enthused the French people. In the
| meantime the expulsion of all Germans from
Paris had been decreed l prepared my own
departure, yet determined to see Pauline once
more. 1t was an lmprudent resolution, but 1
could not possibly alter it. One of her female
friends took pity on me. Through her inter-
vention l managed to see Pauline upon the
POnt Neuf. The latter, with no previous init
nation of the meeting. seemed frightened and
surprised This robbed me of my own speech
| could not open my lips.
How could you do ths?" she asked, as she
cast SLY gances around.
''In order to take leave; cannot remain in
Paris"
You have done wrong; we have said farewell
to each other" The tones of her voice had lost
their wOnted warmth.
Farewell. then. Farewell and forget me not
have no desire to brin you into embarrass-
ment. pity your trepdatiOn."
"TrepidatiOn? For whose sake? Besides. tits
too late now: here come Antoine and my brother
doubtless they have followed me. Let us step
behind the statue!" We had reached the statue
OF Henry ". Perhaps they have not discov-
cred us as yet"
Too late, of verify. / observed how Paul
ines brother pointed to us and clenched his fists.
Both men the uniform of the Garde Ma
tionale. The girl grew pale as death.
I'VE are lost" she said.
Her brother now stood before u.s.
'Eh, bien madcmOisele are these your prom
Uses? You, and this PrussOn here as we'll. have
shamefuily belied us. He shall bitterly rue it.
Antoine, conduct my sister away"
At the first step toward compliance with this
command Pauline receded a step and exclaimed
Not until am informed what you propose
to do to this gentleman"
"That is our affair and that OF the French re-
public"
..Etienne." she reioined. in hurried accents,
"yOu surely will not commit an unworthy act.
No, Will go with you. but you must allow this
gentleman to go his way undisturbed. He de-
slres to leave Paris. Antoine. beseech you,
come away!"
tires bien, mademoiselle; I will fulfill your
wishes if you will here ard now sOlemnly swear
never to give your Land to an accursed Prus-
sian: otherwise, mon Dieu! this gentleman snail
travel TO the Internal regions rather than to Ger
many"
Ny first thought was to lump at his throat for
his insolence. 1t would have been folly. for a
large circle of bystanders had formed closely
around us. Pauline glanced helpessly around.
Antoine" she cried, ~ have done all that
you wished OF me, why are you not content?"
''Parbleu. You should have kept your promise
and not accorded a rendezvous; however, once
for all, have you made up your mind or nOt?
1T was measurably my fault" | broke in
''the young lady knew nothing of it. Pauline"
turning to her. do nothing for which you
would be unwilling to answer to your Godr
she enioined silence upon me by means of q
sudden fugitive glance.
IL will not do it, because / am a free cito-
yenne and do not wish to be compelled
Well said my pretty dove! and claim to be
both citizen and patriot. / serve my fatheTland.
Citizens" he exclaimed. he turned to face the
bystanders. there is a Prussian. spy. In pur-
suance of the decree he should have been be-
You'd the borders long since, but he prefers to
remain here and to misiead young girls
'Prussan! Spy' hOwled the mob ''Into
the Seine with him."
Into the Seine!" resounded hundred
voices.
Pauline drew herself up to full height and
cried in vibrating tones:
He lies. There is neither a spy nor deceiyer
before us, but an honorable man. who desires to
depart for mis- own country. l viii vouch for
him"
Into the Seine. Into the se,ne," yelled the
masses atreSh. as their numbers grew more for
midable. Cast the girl in behind him."
The critical moment had arrived. prepared
to receive the first one who might approach me
with powerful blow. Several rnfiians had
approached Pauline as WELL but her brother
stepped before her
This is my sister and a patriot
Let her prove it. was the response "Let
her cry out, 'Vive la France! Das les Prus-
sipnsn"
With clarion voice the girl repeated the indi-
Gated words and the rage of the excited multi
tude again turned against my own person.
Into the Seine with the spyr' ITO the lamp
post" blended fiercely with their cries
Hear me, citZens' now screamed Pauline.
This man has been my betrothed, with full
consent of my parents. and have loved him.
am daughter Of France and have sacrificed my
love to my country. ] have given back to him
his plighted troth. and | hereby do the same
alresh publicly. But YOU are FrenchInen and
not barbarIans. You will assuredy allow this
man to return to his own country in order that
he may recount to his friends the patriotism Of
Frances women. In consideration herefor |
promise to add the support of my weak arms to
the defense of the walls of our own dear Paris
and my example shall fire the hearts of thou
sands of Others"
well spoken. Bravo. yive la cheyenne.
let the German depart. Take him to the rail-
way station!" yellell the multitude.
''Cdil Il UaCft exclaimed GO elegantly -aCClrcd
gentleman, politely to me.
| merely thanked him with hurried glance
while my eye rested unchangeably upon Pauline's
lovely form. 1t was impossible to evoke glance
from her in return. In that moment | almost
wished that their threats had been converted to
deeds. An earnest desire took possession of me
to have Pauline loudly boast OF her love before
the assembled mob. including my rival. andtien
to share the inevitable jointly with me. She
seemed like coincidence in my eyes. Without
so much as casting furtiye glance behind her
she left the scene. My heart filed with bitter
ness. The masses gradually dispersed, Calling
tiacre namad the address of my lodgings
where stood my baggage. ready packed. My
two enemies saw me drive away without the
interchange of another syllable.
Eight years rolled on. Circumstances fire.
quenty took me to England. but l had always
studiOusly avoided Paris. The great exposition
opened and seized upon it as a pretext. Forts
Inspection would alone 60 thither but the re-
membrance of Pauline pressed between all of
my speculations and excuses. How, If she We're
still to be waiting for me?
TO Paris, then! And now again was there to
find the glorious city more beautiful, liyeler.
brighter than ever, but to discover alike the
hatred against the Germans undmnished |
a hot II mi.