Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1882-01-14
veil and began adjusting it across
the pretty face.

i Co. AunI, oHC Nhg
inasmuch as ! am hungry, and there
is nothing in the house to eat, /
think it rather a matter of necessity
than of choice. Beside, / would
rather have open insults than Herr
Hugh Won Trenck's magnanimous
interference. Do not fear, %auntie;
am quite able to take care of my
self"
And, in spite of her aunt'sentreat-
les, and with a good-by kiss and re-
assuring smile, she was gone.
But the smile faded as she stood
on the threshold of the outside door
and glanced up and down the street,
filled with soldiers. The color in her
cheek paled to whiteness, and her
heart beat loud and fast.
She almost determined to turn
back, when some one standing at
her elbow said in tones so earnest as
to almost be harsh:
"Did not your aunt receive my
warning 2"
1t was Hugh Won Trench who
spoke.
"Are you in authority in this res
idence ?" she questioned. "If we
are your prisoners, let us know it.
You can then enforce your wishes"
"You do me injustice, mademoi-
%selle," he replied in a low, thrilling
tone. 81 beg you for your own sake,
not mine, not to venture out this
morning."
"Your prayers and commands are
all one to me, sir" she said.
The next minute she had gained
the street, fear forgotten in her in
dignation. With quick sleeps she
FASTENED in the necessary direction.
Beyond a rude stare of admiration
she was unmolested, and her few
purchases were effected.
She started to return, when COM
ing Immediately toward her, extend
ing from the curb to the wall, was a
line of Prussian soldiers, arm linked
il arm, their steps unsteady from
liquor, and their voices raised in
laughter and soEg. What should
she do ? She feared to turn and flee
lest they should pursue her. Per
haps by hiding her tremor and walk
ing boldly on they might make room
for her to pass. Herr Won Treack's
hated advice rang in her ears. She
should hate him trebly if it proved
unnecessary. But now all the SOL
diers' eyes were turned upon her, as
they stood, an impossible phalanx,
barring her way.
"Pay us toll my pretty little Fran
caise," said one fastening his coarse
gaze upon her.
Eyes; pay us toll, 1.-THE others echo
ed; ga kiss apiece !"
Concealing the awful sinking at
her heart, she strove to pass them
by stepping down from the curb; but
the outside man and first speaker
threw out his arm to prevent her es-
cape.
"No, no ~ he said in a boisterous
tone. "You are our prisoner, and
we let you off easy. Pay us willing
ly, and we will prove good as our
word. Drive us to force, and We'll
help ourselves"
To scream would be but to gather
round her fresh tormentors, so she
struggled to appear calm.
"Let me pass" she said in low,in
dignant tones, when, without deign-
ing further parley, the first
speaker threw his arm about her
waist.
She felt his tainted breath upon
J her cheek. OGod must her lips be
poisoned by his touch ? With sud-
den strength she wrenched herself
from his grasp, the brutal laugh of
the others jeering on her ears.
A scream, loud and long, burst
from her lips, followed by another
and another, as her prosecutor ap-
preached her again, when, as if by
magic, some n darted in between
them and felled the ruffian to the
earth.
The others, bold with drink, muir
INJURED angrily, but a cleaning pis-
tol soon silenced them, even as they
recognized their young colonel and