Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-09-09
at Madame Forrestier's

troubles began In real good earnest when
all the country was thrown into confusion
and panic by the hosts Of fugitive French
soldiers and the incoming hordes of great
Germans, who strobe about in their big
boots with the ar Of conquerors, who spread
far and wide like a cloud Of locusts, eating
up all the provisions that the poor peasant
folk had gathered together for themselves
ANNIE" said Madame Forester to her
English nurse. IF anything does happen,
remember that 1t Is on you that shall re-
You may trust me, madame" said An
nile quickly: ut will be clever Prussian-
aye. or q clever Frenchman. either-that will
to myself"
THAT is not what ] am the most afraid
Of" said Madame FORESTER; ut is your
GOODNESS and your presence Of mind that
shall need most. These poor people are so
excitable. SO nervous. 1 shall not be able to
depend on them In any emergency"
Listen, madame; what is that?" exclaim-
ed Annie, putting up her finger and listen
ing intently. Somebody at the window"
Rosie. Rosie! cried low voice without,
and at the same time tapping softly at the
window pane.
Madame Forester uttered a glad cry TT
is the MASTER" she cried, 1.-The master! and
she rushed to the window and tore 1t open,
when tall figure In inform, covered by a
long military cloak. tumbled in.
Shut the window quickly" he gasped.
They are after me; they'll be here in ten
minutes. knew the short cut through the
wilderness, and gave them the slip!'
In moment Annie had shut the window
again. and barred the heavy shutters and
drawn the velvet curtains over them
You are wounded. my Andre!' cried Ma
dame Forester, with her arms around her
husband.
"Yes-not danserously-only a cut IN nv
arm" he answered. mo, don't open tit
may start the blood flowing, and that would
betray me. Not" bitterly, as he looked
around, that need take care They are
bound to get hold Of me. am caught like
a rat in a trap but I determined I would
see you before they took me. II 1t was only
for a minute"
Madame FORESTER looked at Annie. ."They
snail not take YOU" she said firmly, "un-
less they burn the chateau down, and /
fancy 1t IS too comfortable and too we'll pro-
visioned for them to do that am all ready
for you! Annie and I have cleaned out the
secret room. and there are provisions there
clothes. books, lights and all your toilet
things. You can be quite comfortable down
there. and I shall come and see you when ]
can mana ge it."
darling! my dear love!" ne said. land how
DO you think you rae going to keep the
Prussians out Of the secret room? Nay
nay. child! a secret room that has no better
concealed entrance than a trap door in the
floor Of your own APARTMENT 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" Madame
| Forester urged. I'VE. Annie and I, will
devise some means Of covering over the
door,
"A rug and an arm chair" said Forces
tier tess'ngiy. my poor Rosie!-my poor
| poor eirlv
Listen" said Annie. who had been stanA
| ing at the door. II hear horses coming ur
| the avenue. Get down the trap door, sir
| at least It Is a chance that they may not
| very closely search the mistress own bed
| room"
"All - fair IN love and war Annie" SAID
Capt. Forester. Significantly. But will
do az YOU wish. my darling my bravo love
= God hAaha uou and - with xoun