Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1884-10-29


boy another road ran, hung a cloud Of
dust such as she had seen before that
morning. When they reached the vii
lage, how still it wasl Not soldier was
to be seen. What had become OF theln2
the aide-de-camp wondered. There
was no time, however, for him
to be either frightened or sur
prised. Hardly had his horses hoof
sounded on the street when out of every
house rushed a troop Of soldiers. half d
dozen of whom grasped the lads bride.
For an instant both he and Fauvette
were too much astonished to speak. The
girl, who recognized familiar faces, was
the first TO recover herself.
"Ahl" she cried. let him 90. He has
saved my life and Bebe's. y
5 AT the same moment an officer came
out of the inn door. s'Your name and
rank, monsieur, . he demanded, briefly
The lad drew himself up proudly
until his slender figure seemed that of a
man. His frank, boyish face glowed,
and his blue eyes flashed fire. ''Carl
Ludwig Won Schomberg,n he said, in
French, lieutenant in the German army,
and grand duke of Hoenstauffen- Stein
metz"
The officer bowed. Thanks, your
highness, he said. 1T is unfortunate.
but your soldiers, whom presume you
expected to find here, have evacuated
the village, and you are the prisoner of
the French"
Fauvette's lip trembled. She was
still on horseback. protected by the
young officers arm. ''But he came
back to bring me, y she cried. "If it had
not been for him, would have been
killed."
THAT will be considered, /" said the
officer, ''but at present Lieutenant Won
Schcmberg is our prisoner. Will you
please dismount, sir?''
The boy let one of the men whom Eau
vette knew take her down and then dis,
mounted himself.
Nov, sir" said the French officer,
IF you will come into the cabaret you
will find there some of your companions.
The lad turned to where Fauvette
stood crying on Bebe's neck. "Do not
cry, my child he said; sit is only the
fortune of wars
''But it was for me,n she sobbed eff
1t had not been for me you would be with
your prince now.
He smiled kindly. 81 should no
doubt have come back anyhow he
said. Don't vex yourself, little one;
and adieu"
Her face lighted up through he- tears.
"Ah, no, she whispered, looking
hurriedly around to see if any one over
heard-''Au revoir."
What did she mean? the duke had
wondered as the officer led him off to
the cabaret. He would hardly see her
again, for the next day, if not earlier,
they would surely take him off to Metz,
or wherever else the French kept their
prisoners. 1t was an inglorious ending
TO his military career, but he had served
the little peasant maiden and saved
cows life; and he was sure ne would
rather have done that than kill some che
in battle. His rank enabled him to have
room to himself in the upper story of the
cabaret, and left alone, with sentinel
outside the door and another beneath the
window, he had time to reflect upon these
things, and to wonder what the prince
would think when he did not re-
appear, ard whether they would send
back for him.. They would hardly do
that, he concluded, since they we're anx-
ious to get ahead as fast as possible. He
was unwilling to admit it, but there did
not seem to be any very good prospect
of his immediate release. All the after
noon he was left undisturbcd, and when
the darkness shut down there were no
signs that he was to be removed that
night. At midnight, however, the key
turned in the lock, the door opened,
and some one stood in the room.
care you awaken whispered a soft
voice.
1t was Fauvette's voice, and the boys
heart gave a thrill of hope.
''Oh, yes, he answered, ST couldn't 90
to sleep, you know"
She came UP to him and laid her hand
on his arm. Listen, " she said. "The
soldiers are all asleep. My uncle, who
keeps the inn, has drugged their wine,
and my father holds your horse before
the door. There is nothing between
you and your army. You must 90 at
once
He hesitated a moment. "And your"
he said.
''Oh. ann all right. she answered.
This Is my home. no one will harm
me-"
He could not see her face in the dark
ness, but he guessed that the black eyes
were full of tears. ssYou are a good
girl" he said. 'eTell me your name.
You know | did not learn that"
my name is Fauvette, = she said, sim
ply-Fauvette Marets. .
'sAh, he said. II shall always remem-
Der the brave little owner of that name.