The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1883-09-01
LUCIA ON THE BATTLEFIELD.

| On the 18th of August, in the yea
1860, number of the inhabitants of Ber
lin were seen crushing wildly toward tn
pillars outside Litfasz's, in order to re
the first glimpse Of the victorious bulle
tins that had just been put up there.
! A stout old gentleman, with spectacle,
on nose, now begged for uiet, and whel
this was established he read out in .
clear voice the despatch dated from Pont
a. Mousson. announcing that the enemy
had made sortie from Metz on the 10th
but had been driven back again into the
fortress, after twelve hours hard fight
| ing. Heavy loss on both sides was, how
ever, a sad ending to the glorious news
The crowd was just beginning to dis
perse when an open carriage drove up
and the tastefully dressed occupant
ordering her coachman to stop close te
the pillars, told the footman, who hastily
jumped down, to tell her at once the con
tents of the telegram.
II can spare your servant the trouble
Madame" said our gray-haired old
frienl, stepping toward the carriage and
lifting his hat politely.
'Ah, good morning, dear doctor,
cried the lady, very pleased. 81 have
not seen you for an age: please tell me
quickly, have we gained another
victory?"
General Won Doring and von Wendell
are killed, and Won Rauch and Won
Gruter are wounded" replied the
Doctor.
''And is there nothing about Iieuten-
ant yon Rhaden?" questioned the lady in
an anxious tone.
mo, Madame, your husband is not
mentioned, answered the doctor, smil-
ing good naturedly at her naive ques-
tion.
'Then must telegraph at once. Will
you, please, see about the telegram for
me, dear doctor? I shall have no peace
till I know whether my husband is all
right. We are close to my house, pray
help me in my forlorn state"
The doctor bowed assent and strobe
after the carriage, which stopped at No.
30 Victoria street.
who was that interesting looking
lady? asked a bystander OF the district
inspector.
s'That little lady with the spirituelle
face and speaking eyes is the prima
donna of our opera, Nine. Pauline Lucca,
the wife of Baron Won Rhaden, who is
now away with the army. She enjoys,
and deservedly SO. the greatest popular
ity here, and is always spoken of as "our
Pauline" both by high and low.
Nine. Lucca had scarcely entered
her door. when the porter placed tele-
gram in her hands.
Hastily tearing it open, she read:
Lieutenant Won Rhaden is wounded,
but not dangerously"
"Ah, it is as I fearedl' she exclaimed.
''It was not for nothing that I dreamed
three nights running about snakes! It
gerously wounded, but I am sure he
must want nursing; and here am-hun-
dreds of miles away from him"
Then speaking to herself, she contin-
ued: "No, no-I know my duty and
will fulfill it! John must not take the
horses out, I must drive off at once.
Where is my maid? EdItha. you have
just come in time. Get everything ready.
we start at once. Pack some changes of
linen in my smh1l trunk-dresses we
shall not require, as we shall certainly
not be asked to court. Here is some
money, go at once and buy everything
that will strengthen my sick husband
pigeons, chickens, meat-extract, pre-
serves; if there is any caviare, you can
get small barrel from the old Russian
in Charlotte street, and don't forget the
very best cigars, and take one dozen bot
ties of the oldest wine in the cellar. But
I must have pass from Count Eden
berg, the minister of the interior. Quick.
quick, Edithal pack everything into one
box and send it off to the station. As
soon as you are ready we start
''You are giving yourself unnecessary
expense and trouble" insisted the doc.
tors eff you want to take somethin q
with you, let it be compressed vegetables.
condensed milk, Liebig's extract, coffee.
tea and sugar; all these he can enjoy and
if you like, will go and make the neces-
sary purchases.
.'Oh, doctor, could embrace your
Pray do SO, sans gene," said he.
laughingly, as he took his departure.
Having settled her commissariat de-
partment, Nine. Lucca got into her car
riage and drove to Count Eulenbarc
whom she entreated to grant herself and
maid pass to the seat of war. She got
il.
Early on the morning of the 21st OF
August we find Nine. Lucca and her
maid at the railway station. and soon
they and their baggage. including the
much discussed commisariat hamper.
were en- route for the seat of war. After
numerous Interruptions and stopnacas
her journey was concluded. It was late
IN the evening when the train reached