Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-06-06

for restoration to life. You and your
charming sisterhood of our Lady OF
Mercy, what do we not owe you've
poor soldiers of France"
"And what would France do without
her soldiers?' asked the lady, smiling.
"Ah, my friend, if we women did not
make ourselves useful to our protectors,
we would lose the object of our dearest
ambitionw
"Ambition! you are not ambitious"
''Oh, yes, and you will learn some day
that o womans ambitio like your own,
is to..conquer, to subdue, but not with the
same weapons.> All, pardon me; am
talking like q woman who has hobby,
as the English say-how coarse they are!
To make amends, let me introduce you
to my niece, Ninon Destain."
The young soldier bowed; the lady
courtesied in the formal manner Of the
time, although her eyes betrayed a
certain interest in the wounded hero,
while he, after timid glance at her
face, decided that she was the most
beautiful woman he had ever seen.
In truth his observati ons of female
beauty had been confined to the mar
row circle OF the Carr ison; wives and
daughters of officers, sisters of rel1g-
ious order who served in the hospitals,
and the Indian women who had few
pretensions to beauty Of any kind. The
cadet Of a noble, though impoverished
family, he had spent ten years in the
colonies, marching and fighting, when
not on garrison duty, undisturbed by
any other sensations than those con-
~ 90 o%
the age of twenty seven, he beheld a
face and form which recalled the CIV
litigation he had almost forgotten. But
Mile. Destaip was not q beauty. She
was type Of the ancient noblesse, tall
of form with dark expressive eyes, firm
mouth and abundant brown hair. She
had the air Of q princess whom untoward
fate had driven from a throne to wan
der amid barbarous scenes and uncoM
genial associates, yet whose innate gen.
crosby compelled to hide her disdain
under q mask Of gracious condeseension.
De Bar8ac was waiting to hear the
sound of her voice, but her attention
was already wandering to the band of
warriors in war-paint and feathers.
"They are our allies" he said, follow
ing her glance, ':and they are preparing
for an expedition across the border"
"These the allies Of France!"
The words were spoken in a tone OF
mingled surprise and scorn, yet the
voice had a magnetic tone which thrilled
the soul Of the listener.
"If we did not enlist their services
the English would not fail to turn them
against u.s."
"There can be but little glory in such
warfare where the prize Is wilderness,
and the honors Of victory must be shared
with savages."
"And yet even here" said De Barzac,
1.-The legions of France have woa re7
renown. 1t is for us us to fight, per-
chance to die; the pages of history will
record our deeds"
"Of generals like Dieskau and Mont
calm, but
A slight flush rose to his cheek as he
said In lower tone, Even the humble
name Of De Barzac is inscribed on that
roll Of honor, the bulletins Of the Com.
Chief" The dark eyes flashed
she said. softly. 81 am sure that France
will not forget her heroes"
BY this time three or four officers had
jo1neO tue group, ono oI WuoIu, uld1i
Of large proportions, whose bronzed
face Indicated the habit of command,
but not Of self-control, and whose eyes
had that furtive look which we asso-
ciate with moral obliquity, interrupted
the conversation with ford oompli-
ments to the ladies. He was Colonel
Lemourier, commander Of scouts and
irregular troops, and distinguished not
only as an Indian fighter but Q duelist,
q dead shot, and an invincible swords
man.
"He is her fiancee," whispered the
elder lady, Madame Chevreul to De Bar
FAC. 1.-THE match was arranged by their
families in France, and as he could not
get leave of absence she was sent out to
me, and the marriage will take place
when he returns from the campaign
which is now preparing g."
Doubtless the kind-hearted lady had
detected the admiring glance in the
young mans eyes, and thus took the
opportunity to warn him against vain
hopes. De Barzao was conscious Of a
pang of disappointment so keen that
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