Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1892-07-15

a
arranging the little flags on the chart.
Anatole, still suffering from his cold.
lost at every meal by this braggart all
the ground he had gained.
His disrepute was more obvious after
the affair Of Bourget. where the oour-
ageous boy had bravely done his duty,
and whence he had returned wounded
In the forearm. He told us about the
fight, the death Of Baroche, killed by his
side, the surrender and retreat, the sad
end Of a brave combat, with 50 pitiable
Q dependency that the captain treated
him for wt4le as Q desertey and oow-
ard = ne dA nSS CONTINUE % DO 90, u
was xay out of regard toT his cutter
tainers, but he made him understand 1t.
With what a noble indignation he dem
| onstrated that, If the Enfants Perdus
had been there, the fight would have had
another result. Thereupon, excited, he
sketched plan of sortie by the heights
| Of Montmorency. Cormeilles, with the
passage of the Oise, marching on Rouen,
and then arriving triumphantly at
Havre. which moved Dutailly to enthu-
siasm, while poor Anatole, humiEated,
and suffering greatly from his still open
wound, received no attention from any
one but Gertrude and myself.
| On the next day he had fever and
kept his bed, and for some weeks was
absent from our meals. The captain
quickly established his pretensions to
the hand of Gertrude and her parents
did not discourage him. The day on
which Anatole returned to us GONZALES
cent, but thinner than ever, 1t seemed to
me that Mile. Gertrude's eyes were red,
and she had on that day quarreled with
her mother, who was more infatuated
than ever with Robillard. thought it
time to interfere In behalf of the poor
children. This day was the last Sunday
of the year, and consequently we spoke
of the new year, saying that we ought
TO have family festival.
Certainly, Mime. Dutailly," cried the
captain. II must prepare surprise for
your gift"
That gave me an idea for mine.
On New Years day Dutailly welcomed
us very cordially. The strategist of The
Times was soundly to beat Prince
Charles In the environs of Coreux, after
having drawn hfn there by simulated
retreat, which was the finest deed Of
arms Of modern times. Dutailly told us
this good news for our gift. Anatole
presented q rabbit he had caught in a
net In the devastated Isle Of st. Denis, a
pet rabbit which had returned to its
wild state. AS for the captain, he gave
Mime. Dutailly large bag Of marrons
glaces In German helmet.
"Dear madame" he said smiling, 81
would have liked to offer you the head
Of the owner of this helmet"
WHAT cried Mime. Dutailly, filled
with admiration, shave you killed himY
ITO offer you this box Of bonbons.
May say 1t Is not In the power OF every
one? will relate the adventure, as you
think 80 well of the actor"
He had watched, surprised and fright
ened the wearer Of the helmet, a desert
ing sentinel, while hiding in cask, and
In hand to hand fight had strangled
him In order not to attract tho notice of
the enemy by firing his revolver. Oh,
what miserable appearance this rabbit
caught In a net, also strangled, made by
the side of this glorious trophyl
GAS for me" said /. II cannot rival
the captain with so brave q gift, yet /
also have my little surprise. But it has
not yet arrived; we will dine without it,
We sat down at the table, and the re-
past was very gay. They had killed a
| pig for the occasion, and the black pud-
ding was q great success. We were
having the coffee and had lighted our
cigars when an artilleryman placed my
| gift In the drawing room.
We passed into the room where the
object lay on table. wrapped In a
frosted paper tied with blue ribbon.
"What can that be?' said Mime. Du-
tally.
"Do not open it, dear madame, it is
she'll"
"a shellY-
"Dutsilly has often expressed his de-
sire 10 have shell, q genuine one that
had been used, and my friend Roland,
commander Of battery, at my request,
sent me one from the plateau d'Arron
which failed to explode in falling"
While speaking united the blue rib
bon and tore of the paper. The shell
appeared, black, sinister, menacing.
"ZoundsI" sdd Duta1lly. "You de-
light me. Twill hang it IN my cabinet"
But" said Mime. Dutailly anxiously,
elf It has not explodedY
Don't be nervous; u was agreed that
Roland should send me one unloaded
and empty. See his letter
opened letter pasted on the side of
the shell and prepared to read II aloud,
but at the first line my countenance ex-
pressed surprise, then anxiety, for every
one exclaimed:
"What is the natter
"Alas," said, "hsten, and / viii
read 1t:
"DEAR FRIRND-I send the shell requested.
Only Il has been impossible TO find an artillery
| man who knew how to unload it. Make him
| carry IL 70 the house of the armorer near the
| entrance TO the opera house, who can do Il
| very skillfully. Take the greatest care. Tho
least blow the least friction. for IL Is only the
thickness 0f paper. and the shell viii ex-
| plode"-
was interrupted by cries of fear.
Take 1t away" cried Mime. Dutailly.
eft is terriblei this shell In my drawing
| rOomp
"Alasg" said /, extending my hand.
'Do not touch it.
"Be calmi Be assuredl The artillery
man who brought It win take 1t away"
But, sir" said the servant, who stood