Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1889-09-19
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A THRILLING STORY OF THE
FRANCO-PRUSsIAN WAR.
CHAPTER XVII. CONTINUED.
BY MAURICE LEGRAND.

CHAPTER XVII. CONTINUED
She meanwhile hurried on, culver
ing as one under physical torture, her
strained eyes fastened on the empty
air, her heart throbbing as though it
would burst. She had scarce sense or
knowledge of what she did. She had
but one thought-to see his judges, to
proclaim her share in the plot and his
innocence and refusal to share it. 1t
was wild, mad idea, but the thought
OF a woman desperate, loving, faith
full unto death. She went on and on,
slackening her pace when she saw
other figures, increasing il whenever
she was alone. She knew nothing ofthe
way and dared not ask. From some
chance word that BONNER had once
dropped she knew the garrison lay
southwark of her place of conceal
ment, and she took her way there by
sheer instinct.
The hour was late. She heard mid
night strike from a clock in some
church-steeple near by, and the sound
filed her heart with terror At sum
rise he was TO die. Could she reach
him-plead for him-save him yet?
On-still on she flew, shrinking back
in the shadows of portals at the APP
proach of the night patrol, and hurry
ing forward with steps TO which fear
and love and longing lent wings, when
ever a quiet or deserted street lay be-
fore her.
Her face was white and stern, and
set in a martyrs courage, a soldiers
Endurance. That she would save him
or die with him she was resolved. She
was still weak. The languor. of long
illness stole over her frame and clog
ed her steps at last. The spirit within
her was brave and strong enough, but
the poor slight body insensibly weigh
ed it down, and stole away the fever
ish strength that had come with the
shock of peril. Still she pressed for
ward, the thought of his danger alone
in her heart. nerving her failing
strength, lighting her straining eyes
as they swept over the gray, dim sky,
or searched for the landmark she
longed and dreaded to behold. "Shall
/ ever reach him?" she thought, and a
sob shook her frame-a sob of despair
AS increasing weakness made itself
perceptive, and she knew she was far
from her destination.
Before her in the road she saw a ve-
hicle waiting. The tired horse stood
with dropping head. The man on the
box was asleep. She came to his side.
"Will you direct me TO the garri-
sonp" she asked. "Is it far?n
The man stared at her with sleepy
stupid eyes.
"Too far to walk" he said. "Will
you ride?" With the desperation of
her one great fear urging
her on, she gave no heed to
her own poverty-her own inability to
offer him payment for his conveyance
she sprang in without a moments
hesitation.
'.Drive there!" she said. and the
man obeyed.
She threw herself back in the seat
and pressed her hands against her
.throbbing head. Her brain had no
sense but of that one mad resolve
her eyes no gaze, save for the dreadful
signal-the first faint rose-hush in the
east.
I'VE are here" said the man.
Two thalers, il you please" She
gazed at him bewildered, then instant
ly put her hand TO search for her
money.
81 have but one" she said, Offering
it.
He swore rudely and angrily. She
paid no need. She sprang from the
cab and hurried to the entrance gates
with terror and gladness in her
eyes that silenced his fierce COM
plants. The sentinel stopped her.
''Who goes thereP" rang out his
challenge in the stiffness of the gray
wintry dawn. She would have passed
on in her blindness and ignorance, but
again the voice stayed her steps.
s'Halt, or / fire."
She paused and looked at him.
s'For the love of Heaven help mel" she
cried. ''There is man here-a
prisoner-condemn to die. is there
notP have brought information
that will save him. Can / see the
commandantp"
Sat this hour? At this time? You
must be madl BE off / can hold no
parley while on duty"
s.Oh stay!" she cried in an agony of
entreaty that silenced his rough words
aud thrilled to his heart in