The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1884-10-31
THE GRAND DUKE.

w udC Is IL luuI L duVCJUc SecSf Inc Gay
Is cold and bleak; Fauvette gathers the
blanket more closely around her thinly
clad form and over her head as she looks
down the road and discovers far away,
in the direction of her own home, a
cloud of dust. 1t is not the dust of the
diligence, for that went by an hour ago
Fauvette noticed it particularly, because
it was going fast. The horses were gal
Looping and Baptiste was urging them
on as though something were coming in
pursuit. Had Baptiste been running
away from that which made the clouds
of dust2 and was that which made the
cloud the German army?
Fauvette's heart stood still as this
thought came to her She knew there
was war in the country, but as yet it had
not come anywhere near Champvilers,
which was the village where Fauvettc
lived. Had it come near so soon? When
she left home that morning with Bebe
there had been no thought of the Ger
mans; had they arrived already? She
looked around at Bebe, who was tryinr
almost vainly to get some pasturage out
OF the stubble of the field. Then she
looked again at the cloud of dust. 1t
had lifted little by this time, and un-
derneath Fanvette could see the glimmer
of bayonets and the forms of horses and
men. Yes, it was the German army
there could be no doubt of that.
At the first thought she started to run.
But where should she go2 The soldiers
were between her and the village; she
could not leave Bebe, and Bebe would
not willingly go in the opposite direc
ton from home. Even if Bebe consented
the soldiers would very soon overtake
her. But if she stad would they not
take Bcbe and herself, toe? of, if they
let her go, would they not carry Bcbe off?
Fauvctte,s heart now beat quick and fast
Inc soldiers were coming rapidly nearer.
indeed, she could distinguish their
faces. The man in front on horseback
was old and ugly. Could that be the
Count Bismarck, she wondered Fauvettc
crept up to Bebe's side and laid her
arm over the cows neck. For the first
time Bebc looked up, and seeing the sol.
dlers, gazcd at them with a Alook of
gentle surprise.
Bebe was Fauvctte's special care. Eau
Vctte S elder sister, Lucic looked after
the children, and helped the mother at
home, while Fauvette brought the COW
TO pasture, and in these troubled times
stald with it all day. At this season it was
cold work, and there was little in the
field for Bcbe to eat Pretty soon her
task would end, and the COW would live
at home with the rest of the family, hav
lng better quarters, indeed, than they
had themselves. Fauvette now wished
that 1t had ended before to dav. so that
she might not have met the soldiers in
this exposed place.
The officer at the head, who, though
Fauyette dld not know it, was only a
colonel, eyed the COW, as he rode up.
with grim satisfaction.
"Ah " he exclaimed in his own
tongue, ''this will make fine steaks
Leave the COW, girl and 20 back to your
village. No one will hurt YOU"
Fauvette stood still. She did not un
dersland German, though she guessed at
what he said.
'Ach." exclaimed the officer ''who can
speak this dctestable tongue! Where is
there a man who knows the French?"
The colonel looked up and down the
line. Several Of the men appeared ready
to answer, when the attention of all was
attracted to young aid-de-c camp, who
came galloping up the road, and de-
manded to know what was tine matter.
The colonel pointed to Fauvette and the
COW.
Il am Just about to tell the girl to 90
home to the village and leave the cow'n
he said but unhappily am not ready
with foreign languages. When | have
something TO say in French, | rcauirc
help"
The young man smiled. Then turning
to Fauvette, he said to her, in her own
tongue; "Aly poor child, the colonel
wishes me to tell you that you must
leave the COW and go home. You live
IN the village we have just passed, do
you not"
Fauvette gazed at him calmly. She
was terrible afraid, and her face was
pale, but otherwise she did not show it.
''Oui, monsieur" she said; II live in
the village, and should be glad to go
back, but | cannot leave Bebe."
The young aid de-camp-he was little
more than boy--looked at her pitying-
ly. But you must" he said; the
colonel says So"
Her eyes flashed, "What do I care
for the colonel" she said. "If he kills
Bebe. he must kill me too"
"Oh, lie won't kill you," said the boy.
owe don't fight children. But he wants
the COW, don't you see"
What does lie want it for:" asked
Fauvette, gravely.
"Why, TO cat, I suppose, - he STAN
mered, not wishing to hurt her more than
necessary, but yet telling the truth as
from habit.
"To eat!' exclaimed Fauvette. 'My
Beautiful Bebe! If she was yours, would
you let anybody kill herr"
lie looked admiringly at Bebe's mouse
colored velvet skin and large soft eyes.
''Well, mol wouldn't" he said, frankly.
'Well, | won't, either" and she
clasped her arms tightly around the
creatures neck.
The young man walked helpessly over
to the colonel. 81 can't seem to per-
suade her, sir" he said.
The colonel laughed. ooh, well then,
we'll use force" he said. Turning to his