The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1893-05-03

as he looked around, that I need take
care. They are bound to get hold Of me.
l am caught Ikea rat in trap; but
determined would see you before they
took me, fit was only for minute.
Madame Forester looked at Annie
-They shall not take youls she said firm
IL, unless they burn the ehateau down
and I fancy it is too comfortable and toe
weIl-provisioned for them to do that
am ali ready for you Andre and have
cleaned out the secret room, and there
are provisions there for menlh or more
8 comfortable bed, clothes, books, lights
and all your toilet things. You can be
quite comfortable down there, and shall
come and see you when l can manage IT.
Andre Forester burst out laughing
"My darling my dear love- he said,
"and how do you think you are going to
keep the Prussians out the secret room
Nay, nay, child d secret room that has
no better concealed entrance than a trap
door in the floor Of your own spparsmen,
Is no more likely TO be secret from these
Prussians than any other room in the
house.
"But, Andre, they do not know that
you have reached the chateau at all, p
Madame Forester urged. ~We, Annie
and |, will devise some means Of cover
ing over the door"
"A rug and armchair" said Forrestief,
teasingiy. MY poor Rosie my poor,
poor girl -
Listen" said Annie, who had been
standing at the door. 4 hear horses
coming up the avenue. Get down the
trap-dOor, sir-at least it is chance they
may not very closely search the mistress
own bed ROOM
~An is fair in love and war, Annie, /"
said Captain Forester, ''But I will do
as you wish, my darling, my brave love
God bless you and be with you"
She kissed him tenderly, and hurried
him down the steps into the secret room,
closing the trap-doOr upon him.
Annie, what can We coyer it with 2''
she asked. anxiously looking down at It.
Really, it hardly shows in the markings
OF the parquetry' for the floor was made
as the floors in the better houses in
France generally are, Of short pieces Of
wood fitted together 50 as 70 form pat
tern.
"Not to an ordinary eye, Madame, "
said Annie; "but these men are after the
master YOU know, and will be extra keen
in poking there noses everywhere II
the worst COMES 70 the worst, Iii stand
hereabouts, Madame, and If LOOK very
sweet Al the soldiers. you mustn't take
any notice"
Madame Forester sighed anxiOusly.
@Oh, Annie, am so nervous-so full Of
dread" she said trembling. What IS
that2 Oh, they are coming
It was, indeed. the sound of footsteps
on the polished eorrid ?, and then there
came a rap al the dOJr, and the word
Madame, madame was twice repeated.
1T IS Jacques" said Annie, who was
busy polishing the floor with her soft
slipper, 50 as to remove the traces o.
muddy footsteps which the master may
have left behind him. ''See wha, he
wants, Madame"
Thus encouraged, Madame opened the
door, and Jacques, the cid servant who
had been al the chateau in the time Of
Andre Forrestier's father, came in with a
scared white face.
such misfortune, Madame" said he
in quavering accents. Here are six
great bulking PrussiAn pigs with a re-
QUESTION for board and lodging in the
chateau, and some sort OF notion that the
master IS skulking about the premises
hiding. swore by ali that's holy he'd
never been back since the var broke, out
put the great brute either didn't or
wouldn't understand me. He speaks
bad French, he added in unutterab.e
dirgust.
4 viii come down, Jacques" said
Nine FORESTER, with last look at An
ME, who was busy making up the fire
"Where are these-these gentlemen,
Jacques she asked as she reached the
head Of the stairs.
In the hall at present, Madame,"
Jacques answered.