Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1889-09-13

the quick beauty of the scene, ahs Tin
gered just inside the gate, looking sea-
ward.
Suddenly she was startled by the sound
of horses hOOfs and almost at the same
moment she perceived two men on horse
back rapidly approaching across the fields.
The moonlight struck full upon them and
flashed upon something like differing
steel. She knew at once that they were
soldiers, for their spurs iingled as they
came, and each Of them carried a long
weapon like spear. Quick as thought
she drew back among the bushes, and
Selling the dog CASTOR by the collar made
it lie down at her feet.
The men came along at a trot, while,
sick with apprehension, she lay In her
hiding-place to watch them pass. And
now, as they doomed more clearly against
the sky, looking gigantic on their power
full steeds, her worst dread was realized.
They were Uhlans!
She knew them at once by their dress,
and the spears they carried; for, though
she had never seen any Uhlans living. the
pictures of the wild cavalry were familiar
to her from illustrated journals.
Fortunately she was safely hidden, and
the strangers would have ridden by IN
suspiciously had it not been for the con-
duct of the dog. In spite of her attempts
to quiet him, CASTOR began to groWl, show
his teeth and struggle Tor escape; and
suddenly, as they passed the wicket gate,
he tore himself free, and, Ieaping from
the bushes, rushed iercely at the lhOrses'
heels.
Utterly terrified, Blanche rem aimed in
her hiding place, watching what followed
in trembling fascination. AS the dog
darted out, showing his teeth, one Of the
hOrsemen wheeled swift as lightning and
covered him with pistol. There was a
fash, report and the poor animal lay
dead upon the ground.
The man who had fired the shot was
sinister-looking, middle-aged soldier, with
a ferOciOus black mustache; he was short
and somewhat stout and crOuched low in
the saddle. His companion, who had rid
den on past the spot, but who now came
quickly back, was many years younger and
very tall; his beard and mustache were
gOlden-yelloW, and the expression OF his
face, though stern, not at all fOrbidding.
Refining in his horse he spoke rapidly IN
German. The other replied with a gruh
laugh and pointed his spear at the dead
hound.
Crouching in the bushes, Blanche felt
her heart swell with mingled hate and
horror. To her simple mind the men
seemed scarcely human, resembling rather
the savage monsters Of popular magma
| ton.
She perceived now that the man who
/ had fred the shot carried on his saddle
| bow some straw, bunch of vegetables and
| a couple of dead geese.
| They spoke together for some moments;
! then, to her terror, she saw the younger
/ soldier pointing eagerly to the place where
! she lay hidden, and saying something
which was received by his companion with
an incredulOus shrug of the shoulders.
! Then she heard the sharp click Of pistol
lock, and simultaneously saw the elder
man ride close up to the bushes, pistol in
! hand.
Something clearly attracked his atten-
ton, for he uttered a loud expression in
German, at the same moment pointing the
weapon straight toward the hiding-place
of the unlucky girl.
The other called to him impatiently, as
| If requesting him to leave the spot, but he
| was determined.
For a moment her fate hung in the bal
ance; his finger was upon the trigger, and
he was in the act to fire. But suddenly his
companion uttered cry of warning. and,
riding quickly to his side, placed hand
upon his arm.
Take care, VOgeI!" he said, still in Ger
man. 1T is only woman.