The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-05-02

floor. 81 adore you, and l must tell you
So What word have you for me, made
moiselIe? Speak and let me live or die"
Pauline could not command herself.
She sat silent, the stupor of an over
whelming embarrassment upon her.
81 have tried to stay away from you,"
he went on, "but have not been able to
do it. You have filed my whole life; 1
can think of nothing but you. Oh, made
moiselle, mademoiselle, do not hate me,
do not spurn me when love you SOP
81 do not hate you, l do not spurn
YOU. Capt. Cortes." she exclaimed, the
effort sending a rich sympathetic timbre
into her voice. "You have been so noble
and so good-you have done SO much
for me-"
His face took on a look of hope and he
reached forth his hand to take hers.
In those days melodramatic things did
happen. The Earring thunder of heavy
cannon rolled up from the bay and
shook the house from roof to founda-
ton. Another and another crash were
followed by the heavy pounding sound
ldlllllA
good a soldier not to respond instantly
to the summons of battle. In moment
he had sprung to his feet and was stand
ing in a hearkening attitude. Like some
perfect actress in a tragedy, more than
like a startled girl in real life, Pauline
sprang forward and flung out her arms
with a cry more Of joy than of terror.
she exclaimed. ''They have attacked
the town.
Cortes did not hear her words; he saw
only her wondrousiy lovely face and her
arms outstretched toward him.
''Darlingw he cried, and clasped her
close to his bosom.
Again, like the bursting Of a thunder
ytorm, the cannons roared out their start
ling decorations. Trumpets were sound
Inc and in every direction arose the noise
and hustle of soldiery making ready for
battle.
Cortes pressed one long kiss upon Pau
lines lips and rushed forth to do his duty,
leaving the dazed and trembling girl
standing in the middle Of the room.
The feet of the Compile de Champmes-
lin had sailed into the bay and was pour
ing broadside after broadside against the
slight works on the island, while at the
same time BienviLe, at the head of 900
men, was fastening by land to attack the
fort on the hill behind the town.
The Dona Hortense, very little excited
by an experience not in the least new to
her, came into the room and put her
motherly arms around Pauline. The
girl returned the caress with a fervor
born of the emotion that was making
wild tumult in her breast. To her every
cannon shot as it beloved and doomed
told a sweet story of hope and love. She
fancied that it was Louis Doucet's hand
that was firing every gun; she even inn
agined that she could hear his voice,
vague and far, but clear and sweet above
the general din, calling to her to have
courage.
"He is coming! He is here" she cried
with her head on the dona's shoulder.
"Be quiet, my child" waS the calm
answer; 1--WE cannot know what may be
the end of this"
They went to the window and looked
out to see the heavy ships drawing in
toward the town and firing as they came.
The Spanish fleet was at anchor close to
the main land shore in such a position
that its guns were unavailable. Soon
enough the battery on the island was
quite silenced, while at the same time
arose the sound of guns and musketry in
the direction of the fort on the hill
The dona recognized the battle yell Of
the Indians who were fighting under
Bienville. She had heard that savage
cry before, and Knew well its meaning.
The Holy Virgin shield us if they sue
coed, she murmured, showing excite
ment for the first time.
'Oh, but they must succeed, they must
not fail!' cried Pauline. And see! the
ships are taking down their colors-the
French have won! Oh, Louis! Louis!'
In the hysteria of her Joy she turned
and ran out of the house and down the
little street toward the strand.
Boats well manned were putting out
from the French vessels to come ashore.
Meantime the firing at the fort on the
hill was thick and heavy, and the Indian
allies of Bienville were making the air
hideous with their bowling.
Pauline had rarely been abroad in Pen
sacola, and the streets, such as they were,
were quite unfamiliar TO her. She had
run forth without any definite object in
view, though a vaguely outlined thought
of finding Louis Doucet among the as
sailing soldiers was certainly uppermost /
in her mind. The dona followed her,
but so swiftly did she Fly she was soon
out of sight.
"Oh, my poor, poor child" walled the
old woman, stopping all out of breath /.
and wringing her hands
While she stood there Capt. Cortes, /
leading small body of men. approached (.
her. The intrepid young officer, seeing
that his vessel must fall into the enemy's
hands. had hurried his crew into the
small boats and brought them ashore
with view to taking possession of a
small block house in the upper part of .
the town.
You herer' he exclaimed with the
bluntness and sternness OF authority. /
And where is Mile Pauline:"
@E S
EL-J X I So yS5sisgS Ss$g.1eA