Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1889-10-18
CHAPTER XVs
THE eRa1EANs.

CHAPTER xYs
TIE GERMANS.
While these things were taking place ct
the chateau, the surrounding district
continued in e panic of excitement, owing
to the near presence of the victorious
Germans. A little experience, however,
showed the country people that the fsr0Ci-
ty OF the enemy was, to say the least, sL-
aggerated. EtFetat was quietly occupied.
Grave foreign officers in spectBclss were
found strolling on the seashOre. There
was no more fighting, as all the French
troops, only a handful at che most, had
retired along the coast in the direction Of
Dieppe.
Two days after the wounded officer of
Uhlans had been carried into the Chateau
Of Grapdpre a small company OF cavalry,
headed by an officer, rode up the avenue
toward the chateau and halted on the
lawn beneath the terrace. The offer, dis
mounting, walked up the steps to the door
and knocked. After O delay of some
minutes the door was opened by old Hu-
bert.
What may monsieur please to want?"
asked tho old man, quaking in every limb.
You have one Of our officers lying here
wounded, said the German in French. Il
wish to see him.
Certainly, monsieur, answered Hu-
bert. will you be good enough to enter?
> >
poor young mistress is very ILL"
he is alive, Of cOurse?" muttered the
officer, hating on the threshold.
Yes, monsieur"
On receiving this reply the officer beck
oned and another German, also in uniform,
leaped from the saddle and ran up to his
side.
Yes, he is here. Come with me, Borg
feldt; you may be wanted.
With ObsequiOus timidity Hubert led
the way up st airs into the sick man s room.
He was lying in bed, prOpped up with pill
lows, and reading book. One glance at
the book showed its religious character.
1t was the Douay edition of the New
Testament.
Hartmann. old fellowl" cried the Off
Ger, with outstretched hands, this is,
indeed, fortunate. We had given you up
for dead"
Hartmann smiled sadly, returning the
kindly pressure.
God has been good to me, as you see,
he replied. Il survive, while better men
are in their graves. All, Dr.. BOrgfeldt, is
that your"
What was it?" asked Borgfeldt, who
was a tall, clean-shaVen man in specta-
cIes. "A bullet wOund?"
Hartmann pointed to his heart, and the
German doctor, STOPPING down, made
hastY examination.
at was an ugly wound, he muttured;
"the ball lodged close to the pIeura only
just missing the left lung. Who ex-
tracted it2"
"a clever French doctor. Ali he is
here. Let me introduce him-Dr. Huet.
Huet, who had entered the room, bowed
stifly.
How is mademoiselle. your patient2"
asked Hartmann, eagerly. Better, pray
aBetter-and worse. replied Huet,
colby. The fever is leaving her, but
from time to time are signs that she is be-
ginning to remember. I dread the COM
plete return of her faculties, for then"
yes, yes; I understand" cried Hart
mann. Would to Heaven that could
comfort herl but. alas! it is too late for
that. May God forgive mel"
The other two Germans listened in no
little surprise to this conversation, which,
of course, they were at a loss to under
stand. Then the officer broke in:
Well Hartmann, what can We do for
you? You seem in snug quarters here, so
that it is unnecessary to think of removing
you, I SUPPOSED"
Pardon me. interrupted Huet, "the
sooner he is removed from th.J mouse the
better.
Quite right, said Hartmann, sadly. %I
have no right here, where my very pres
enoe is an outrage. Take me away as soon
as possible"
Without asking any further uestions
the officer promised to send ar -1bulance
cart that very afternoon, and in the mean
time to tell OF a couple Of soldiers to keep
guard over the patient and attend to his
wants.
In the afternoon the ambulance arrived
and Hartmann was assisted down. 1t was
an open vehicle with a canvas awning,
rudely extempo. lied for the purpose and
strewn thjcklY with straw, on which the
length. Lying thus, with his head propped
scene arOund-the trees laden with snow,
the drift upon the ground, the gray, still
heavan above the woods.
Huet stood on the steps Of the chateau
watching his departure. Hartmann beck
oned to him.
Monsieur, he said, Il am going away
with heavy heart. All my thought and
care now is for Mile. de GGvrOllss.
Should she ever speak Of me-shOuid she
ever bear to think Of one SO unworthy
tell her that shall never forget her, never
cease to pray for her and to bless her.
May God comfort her. monsieur, and
watch over her, now and 70 eyeEl"
Huet made no reply The cart moved
slowly away, driven by a soldier Ia nm
dress, and with "a mounted soldier in uni
form on either side. Down the long
bleak a. enue, through the Wintry woods,
vent the little procession. Here and
there the snow was SO deep that progress
was difficult, and It was necessary FOR the
soldiers TO alight and free the wheels.