The Arkansaw traveler., 1889-09-07

made up my mind about Robillard, aud was sure that his military exploits oonsisted In removing the furniture from deserted houses in the suburbs for fear that 1t might tempt the cupidity of the enemy and deposting 1t in safe places, unknown to the owners I wondered with dismay how this heavy mouthed ruffian was invited to gnaw our part of the cheese; but Mrs. Dutaily presently gave me an explanation, not without emotion. She had been out walking late in the afternoon and had fallen, hurting herself considerably and being stunned for Q moment. Robillard, who was pass ing, had aided her to return home and, in recogni tion of his kindness, she could not do less than invite her savior to dinner. This explanation treasured me, and hoped that my first sight of the hero would be the last. He said that the war had brought him to Paris, whose safety required his presence As to his prowess In the suburbs, at the head of the Lost Children, you can readily con- oeive that 1t passed all belief "The enemy could not stand for A minute With GOO bucks like mine, all the invaders would be swept away" etc., etc. Mrs. Dutailly listened complAcently to the enormities, and Dutailly himself was almost ready to believe them. As for the poor little cor poral of volunteers he seemed to be crushed by the presence of this big fellow.
 excused my self and left the house immediately after dinner escape the buster of this GAscon to whom, as l supposed, bade an eternal adieu but in this l was mistaken. On the following Sun- day found him in the same place, then on Thurs day, and finally plate was set for him at all our meals. The heads of the household were fascinated Robillard had captured Mrs. Dutailly by his ovial humor and MT. Dutailly by the interest which he seemed to display in the military operations as conducted by the TImes. Anatole lost ground viz ibly at each meal in proportion the captain grew in favor
 Anatole's discredit was especially marked after the Bourget engagement, where the poor lad had fought bravely, and whence he had returned to us wounded in the arm He described the attack, the retreat and all the principal details of this heroic combat with so much Encouragement that the cap~ tain was ready to treat him as 6 deserter and cow ard. With what noble indignation did Robillard prove that if the Lost Children had been there the result would have been very different Thereupon, becoming excited, he sketched for our edifcation plan of advanoe-passage through Disc, march through Rouen and triumphal arrival at Havre- which filled Dutailly with enthusiasm. Meanwhile the despised Anatole suffered greatly from the still bleeding wound.
 Next day Auatole had the fever and was confined to his bed and absent from our daily repasts for several weeks On the evening of his return to the house. oonvalescent and leaner than ever Miss Ger trude had red eyes, and it was evident to me that there had been during the day some skirmish between her and her mother, who was more infAtu- ated than ever with Robillard. believed that 1t time to intervene in the interest of these poor children. It happened that this day was the last Sunday of the year, and naturally we talked of the new year, which we intended to celebrate as joy ously as possible. Suddenly the captain said:
 "By love dear Mrs. Dutailly, must give you c surprise for your present"
 This gave me the idea of preparing my own little surprise.
 On New Years Day Dutailly was radiant and received us with open arms The strategist of the Times had just annihilated the army of Prince Charles on the outskirts of Evreux, and Dutailly offered this pleasing intelligence for our present. Anatole brought hare, trapped in the devastated sented to Mrs. Dutailly a large bag of sugared chestnuts in a German helmet.
 "Dear madam" said he, with a smile, "I could easily have given you this helmet with the owners head therein"
 "Whatl" cried Mrs. Dutailly, filled with ad- miration, "did you kill him7"
 "Certainly did, beauteous lady, that I might offer you this bonbonniere, and I venture to say that everybody could not have accomplished the