, 1889-07-18

W LlhhS VI ~ OdSSf kdNS ~ htmCOIltt
an order of admission TO the infirmary,
then under the charge of half a dozen
Sisters of Charity, presided over by a
lady superior.
CASTOR had hardly changed his ordi-
nary attire for the regulation loose gray
coat and cotton nightcap when Pitrot,
the tonsor Of the establishment, was an
nounced, bearing an enormous pair of
scissors and n laconic note. which ran as
follows:
Tho pupil De LangeaIs' hair to be cut on i'm
medlately. BoUcHARD.
The poor coiffeur, unwilling to lose so
excellent a customer for pomades and
other capillary unguents, and yet COM
PEELED to obey the imperative mandate.
was in despair.
"Would it not be possible, monsieur"
he suggested, ito obtain from the lady
superior a certificate that the effect of
the operation might be injurious t an
invalid?''
CASTOR could not help smiling at the
idea II don't quite see," he said,
what n cropped head has to do with q
bruise on the knee, but there can be no
harm in trying"
AS good luck would have it, Sister
Angelique, in whose memory, perhaps,
still fingered the fondly cherished rec
objection OF some romantic episode of
her youthful days, listened with interest
TO the handsome Breton, while he re-
lated to her his hopes and fears, and his
attachment to his cousin Louise. Being
naturally kind hearted and sympathetic,
she agreed without much persuasion to
HE rofhar sAA1,-, -o...4 -. 49,
Pere Pitrot, relieved from his disagree
able responsibility, went on his way re-
joicing.
A quarter of an hour later the ~lieuten-
ant burst into the infirmary in a paroxysm
of fury.
$50, youngsterl" he cried, sit seems
you are bent on Drawing mel Well, we
shall see. You cannot stay shamming
here forever; and, mark my words
when you do come out, I'll have that
head of yours as smooth as a billiard
balli'
With this parting threat he bounced
out of the room, and next day every one
of the future cavalry officers-the priso-
ner alone excepted-underwent the sum-
mary operation of Cropping" at the
hands of the tonsor, Pitrot.
Meanwhile, Gaston's position was by
nc means an enviable one. Through the
grated windows of the infirmary he could
see his companions mounting their horses
in the courtyard, and caracoling gayly as
they passed, and on Sundays-most pain
full trial of all-could hear with a pang of
envy the joyous shouts of his more fortu-
nate colleagues, e~mancipated for a few
hDlIrQ from 1lItu md ON fhai- xrou 20
catch the first train to Paris.
The day of deliverance, however. was
at hand. Early on the 18th of July-a
date never to be forgotten by De Lam
geais-the occupants of the infirmary
were suddenly startled by a tremendous
uproaF Immediately under their win
dows, and, On looking out, imagined for
a moment that pandemonium had broken
loose.
Such a spectacle had assuredly new
been witnessed at st. Cyr. The entire
quadrangle was thronged by an excited
multitude, rushing to and fro in tumultu-
GUS disorder, finging their caps high in
h air, and bursting every now and then
into a loud and prolonged hurrahl Was
it a revolt, marveled the sisters and their
patients, or what could it possibly mean?
A few minutes sutficed to explain the
mystery. A hasty step was heard out
side the door, Immediately followed by
the entrance into the sick room of an ad-
jutant, bearing in his hand an official
document, the contents OF which, recited
by him in n sonorous voice, were greeted
with an enthusiasm bordering on frenzy.
"War is declared with Prussia. BY
imparinl 1acraa tho oanipra ara bapra-
forth sub-lieutenants."
Before the sisters, deafened by the
clamor, had recovered from their stupe-
faction, they found themselves alone in
the infirmary, the invalids, one and
all, having mustered strength enought to
throw aside their wraps and make the
best of their way down stairs.
CASTOR, whose instantaneous cure Sis
ter Angelique after described as little
short of miraculous, was the first to re-
join his comrades; and, deserving his per-
s~ecutor, Bouchard, standing apart from
the rest, and apparently in no very good
humor, went upto him with outstretched
hand and n frank, CHEEKY smile.
well, lieutenant, " he said, 'you won't
have me cropped nowr'
$50 it seems" grimly replied the other,
returning somewhat reluctantly the prof
fered grasp, "You have more luck than
you deserve; for, depend upon it, Ishould
have shown you nc mercy!"
Each of the seniors entitled to promo
ton having notified to the adjutant on
duty the regiment to which he was de-
sirous of being attached, the preparations
for departure were speedily completed.
At an early hour in the afternoon the
band of exulting youngsters started for
Paris, intent on making the most of the
three days allowed them before joining
their respective corps. Gaston's regiment
being stationed at Lille, he had ample
leisure, after p~artaking of a farewell re-
past at Brebant's with his old compan-
ions, to carry into execution his long
cherished project of paying a flying visit
to his cousin Louise at Trouville; and,
repairing on the third day to headquar-
tiers, reported himself to the colonel of
the Forty-second dragons, who received
him most cordially.
You are dispensed from duty" said
his chief, until you have got YOU kit