Wichita eagle., 1888-09-08
SHE KNEW IT

developed state The world being all her
oyster, she proceeds to open it with dyna-
mite. Because the story Of Baptiste
chances. by an accident, to be true, is no
good reason for it being less interesting.
Miss Virginia Mascorn was so very pretty
and graceful than even in New York she
passed for beauty. She had heard this
SO often, and from SO many people, that
she would have been forced to believe it
even if she had originally been freighted
with doubts. She had highly well bred
carriage and a naughty manner on occa-
sion, but was withGl O pleasant, inteli-
gent, well behaved girl. whose wealth
gave her pleasure rather than airs. She
was pretty enough and stylish enough to
make something of sensation even in
Paris.
1t was in the time of Louis Napoleon
that Miss Mascom arrived in Paris under
the feeble wings of her mother, Mascom
himself being only a memory. They
wanted to see the city before they became
involved by the claims of either society or
dressmakerS. They had rooms IN an ex-
pensive hotel not far from the Place Ven
dome, and made daily excursions. for
sight seeing purposes, from its hospitable
portals. Acting upon the advice of a
friend, they hired carriage by the month,
thus doing away entirely with the nuis-
ance Of cocherS.
Among the cabmen who were on duty
in front of the hotel was tall, handsome
young Breton named Baptistc. He was a
tidy, steady fellow, and lived with his
married brother. Jacques, in the Mont
martre quarter. His was q passionate
nature, and the first day he saw the
pretty American he fell deeply in love and
almost off the seat of his carriage.
He Ionged for some opportunity to
speak to her, to do some wonderful thing
to attract her attention and arouse her
good will The opportunity to speak came
at last. One afternoon the ladies came
out at the usual time, only to find that
their carriage was not ready. 1t was q
golden moment for Baptiste. He whip
ped up his horses and dashed to the front
of the house. So did a cocher who
CHANGED TO be passing. There was much
confusion, almost collision, and great
deal Of curious swearing. Baptiste was
vehement in expost stations and offers of
his services. The ladies were frightened
by the wrangle, and called the concierge,
who ordered both disputants to take
themselves off, and capped the climax of
Baptiste's despair by calling up third
cabman.
That was my Waterloo" cried the poor
Breton MY golden moon is an unripe
apple l shall never speak to her now.
That iHbecile has ruined me-"
Il thought that young cabman was
rather good looking at first" said Miss
Mascom to her mother. 1T shows us
how mistaken we are about foreigners. 1
wouldn't be bit surprised if he were
one Of those communists we have heard
of" and she shuddered at her own sug-
gestion.
Miss Mascom's French was limited. She
had not understood the cause of the ex-
element OF Baptiste.
The ladies found hotel life bore, and
took an apartment near the Park Mon
ceaux. They were there when the storm
of war came with the cry of "a Berlinl"
Their rooms were on the ground floor,
and the low stone balcony in front Of
their windows was covered with lovely
red climbing roses.
One evening two drunken gardes mo-
bile were passing the house, when one
exclaimed: Let 5 pick some of that pretty
girls roses for our wives"
Miss Mascom sat at the window. Being
somewhat nearsighted, she did not notice
that the soldiers were drunk and vicious,
Two very picturesque fellows" she
thought, and having caught the word
roses, she said: You may gather some if
you like"
The men did not hear the permission,
but were about to proceed without it,
when man who had been standing In
the shadow of the next house sprang
upon them and ordered them to go away.
There was Of course brawl. The attack.
ing party was vehement, both in action
and speech.
What" he cried, you dogs of the
street, would you insul. that lovely one
from the west-that rose of rosesl ALL
you shall pay for it, swearl'
There were gendarmes at hand in few
moments, and all Of the combatants were
hurried off. Virginia had watched the
ARRAY in terror. She caught glimpse of
the strangers face and screamed. Turn
ing to her frightened mother she cried
''Oh, it is that dreadful cabman who
feel sure he is Communist. Did you see
how be attacked those poor, unofending
soldiers who wanted some roses2 Such
men ought to be kept In prison" And
for the second time she shudGered because
of poor Baptiste.
The second reign of terror had its awful
grip upon the throat of Paris. Mrs. Mas
com was very III, and her daughter ten
derby watched at her bedside. No ono
know when they were safe, and each night
was made up of hours of dreadful sus-
pease. One very dark night there were
shots IN the street, and presently mob,
headed by man in a ragged. dirty Garde
Mobile uniform. came to stand in front
of the house.
AN aristocrat lives here" shouted tho
man in uniform. attracted by light from
the windows on the first floor. ''She is
woman whose servants attact peaceable
men on the street. Let Us teach her
lesson, my friends"
There was responsive yell, a rush for
the entrance, and then a sudden halt.
A man stood at the head of the steps
waving his hand and shouting:
No! mol" he said 1T is lie what he
saysI The young lady is an American.
She is friend of liberty and Of the people.
He is not telling you the truth. All,
you would not harm her She
is young thing. and SO beautiful-so
and his voice was piteous IN
SIS entreaty.
The answer was coarse laugh.
80 il is you again?" shouted the Garde
Mobile. Here is something for you!"
and there was pistol shot.
Like some agile beast OF prey. the man
On the steps sprang down. snatehed q
n0shet from one of the mob, and brought
hts butt down on the head of the leader.
Then he spralig back up the steps and
into the balcony. The light from the
torches OF the mob Eickercd across the