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

81. ou1s tAo uluceFS Daue friendly fart
we'll to their s'Comrade Frau Won Rha
den, and with many good wishes for
speedy meeting with her husband, the
hastened away in search of their respec
tive quarters. Turning to porter
Lucca asked him where she could get
nights lodging.
"a nights lodgingw repeated he, look
ing at her in surprise: ''there is n
chance OF lodging anywhere in Saar
brucken. The whole place is cramme,
with soldiers"
And am so tiredp exclaimed Nine
Lncca. Don't you know of any plao
where we could rest for the night2 N
matter how small or poor, / would re
ward you WE'LL"
The porter showed his cap on one side
scratched his head, thought for mo
ment and then said:
"The engine house-there could ar.
range you good bed of clean straw o.
hay, If you think it is respectabl.
enough"
Respectable enough? and why not?'
Because, madame. in peace time We
often shut tramps up there"
MY good man, that won't trouble me
IN the least-but could you not get us
some blankets?"
"Oh, yes" answered the porter. 81
can get plenty of blankets from the off.
Gers. If say they are required for Ia.
dies"
The porter proved man of his word
Quickly spreading some fresh clean
straw In the small dark space, he went
away, and in less than a quarter of an
hour returned, laden with soft, warm
blankets out Of which a couch, not at all
to be despised, was arranged.
Soon the two travellers were comforta-
bly, wrapped in the warm blankets on
their extemporized bed. just as Nor
pheus closed their eyes, however, loud
knocking was heard at the door.
Gracious Heaven, have pity on us /!
we are lost. we are lost!' cried the maid,
making one spring to the door and seat
ing herself on the boxes to increase the
resistance. who is there?' she con-
tinued, feeling thus reassured.
| "It is only me, Lieutenant Won L.
your travelling companion" was the an
swer. Il have just come to tell you that
you can sleep in peace, as have placed
q guard before the engine house, by the
Coloneps orders.
/ Feeling secure by the knowledge that
j
| lay down and, thoroughly tired out. did
| not wake till 4 in the morning; when
Isuddenly drums began to beat, bugles to
| sound, words of command were shouted
| out-warlike noises were heard all
round; something extraordinary must be
going on in Saarbrucken.
The barricade was quickly removed
| and Mime. Lucca stepped out, just as
Lieutenant Won Il came squirting up
on his fiery chestnut, reporting hurried
": There is an alarm, Madame, the
French won't wait any longer-they
want another beating! Everything has
gone on, and have been left behind to
you. Au revoir! but stop-I had very
nearly forgotten to tell you that your
husband is in the hospital at Pont-a.
Mousson."
"And how far is that from here?'
About forty miles; but, pardon me,
am called away. Adieu!' and off he gal
loped like bullet out of chassepot.
The aspect of Saarbrucken was indeed
desolate when the troops had left. See-
ing an old man coming along, Nine.
Lucca asked: my good man is any of
our army still here?"
'tOnly the Grand Duke of Oldenburg:
there he comes up the street with his
staff, and off he went.
GOOD morning, your Highness," said
the prima donna, in a loud voice.
The grand duke, surprised, pulled up
his horse, and looking down at her he
said:
"Can I be mistaken? no, surely it is
Frau Lucca, our prima DONNA! Many
time have / had the pleasure of hear
ing you at the opera"
"Your Highness, / am delighted that
you graciously remember my insignifi-
canoe. In Berlin [ am introduced to
dukes at court; here, however, I must
do it myself in the open street. / have
come to fetch my husband, who lies
wounded at Point-a- a-Mousson. entreat
OF your Highness to help me-"
''That, dear lady, is, L fear, impossi-
BILE, with the best will in the world"
answered he, pittingly; 'for at this mo-
ment there is nothing at hand but the
baggage wagon, which follows US with
the servants"
'Serene Highness," exclaimed Nine.
Lucca, "but driving is better than good
walking. If that is your only objection
to the baggage wagon, please order down
three men, so that l my maid and bag
gage may mount"
The grand duke laughinglY complied.
shook her heartily by the hand, excused
himself that he could not do more for
her and rode off. Nine. Lucca and her
maid got up and the wagon slowly rum
aled off to Pont a. -Mousson. It was late
the following day when they at last
reached the town. The whole Of Pont-a-
Mousson was converted into huge hos
pital, and nearly every house had the
Geneva flag. Frau Lucca went indefat-
itably from one to the other, till at last
she got the information. Lieutenant
Won Rhaden, severely wounded. First
floor, room No. g."
This confirmation of her fears seemed
to take away her courage"
Eve hope to pull him through yet"
said the doctor reassuringly; "pray,
madame, do not lose heart; all will go
we'll, hope. Follow me up the stairs,
allow you to go into his ROOM"
She stepped in, her looks anxiously
searching for her beloved husband; but
what picture met her eyesi In close
small room stood bed, to Judge by its
length, OILY intended for q child, on
which lay tall manly figure of at least
six feet, the legs hanging over the end,
the head and face bandaged leaving
nothing visible but nose and mouth,
fearfully swelled and the color of lead.
'tIs that my husband?" Frau Lucca
asked in a broken voice.
''Yes, that is Lieutenant von Rhaden."
She sank down on chair, covering
her face with both her hands.
''Pauline?" murmured the patient al
most inarticulately.