St. Paul daily globe., 1893-01-27
LOUMY'S IMPRISONMENT.

fTOLu Iue rIeHCu.
The sergeant majors were awaiting
the colonePs arrival. Not word was
breathed, for the air seemed charged
with electricity.
The fact is, the great chiefs orderly
had been imprisoned the evening be-
fore (no one knew Why and the CON-
mander himself appeared anxious.
Some alleged that Private Loumy, the
colonels orderly, full Of solicitude for
his superior, had thought it a part of his
duty to taste the wine before serving it
at table.
Others. with more elevated Ideas,
gravely surmised that the orderly had
abused his masters confidence and be-
trayed France by divulging to Germany
certain secret plans of attack.
Suddenly each one stood up and eX-
amined the position Of the feet, curled
his mustache, and assumed the most
complete immOblity: the clock has just
struck 9, the exact moment when the
colonel usually appeared at the door Of
the guardhouse.
But that day he did not arrive until
quarter of an hour after the usual time.
and then dictated more calmly than
usual this simple line:
Nothing new today, comma; the
band will be dispensed with, full stop.
That will do" The aStoniShment was
such that it degenerated into positive
fear. ASsuredly the affair must be Sc
rlous, since the colonel had shown such
compOsure; there could be no doubt
that the country was in danger through
the faithless-nay, the treason-of the
cOlonePS orderly.
Each one Withdrew without daring to
look behind him, for fear of being ac-
cused.
The Commandant Toulouret, bravest
of the brave, alone remained, ready to
support the shock. Stirring neither
head nor foot, he stood motionless near
the colonel, who was signing some pa
pers.
My orderly has placed me in most
awkward position" suddenly said the
great chief.
Undoubtedly, colonel, it is a very
serious matter"
"WhBt, then, you know?"
"Oh, no, colonel. not all ALL" quick
replied Toulouret, who feared to be
taken for an accomplice.
"Well, just imagine, this booby-by
the by, is he still impriSoned?"
"Oh, yes. colonel, under double lock
tinement: and, moreover, his papers are
ready for the council Of war"
For the council of war? Goodness
gracious, commandant! What pace
you are going at"
but thought for so serious a case
nothing less than a council of war,
"Of what crime do you imagine him
guilty?"
High treason, they say. colonel"
"Treason! What treason?"
"Having disclosed to Germany certain
secret plans of attack"
''Secret plans! What secret plans?
And disclosed by Loumy!"
The colonel burst into laughter.
We'll, then, colonel L can make moth
ing of ii at all"
Il had the idiot shut up just to put a
little sense in him. You may release
him today Here, commandant, you
shall Judge OF his case yourself. Yes (
terday | said to Loumy:
g Il don't feel we'll today: go and tell I
Nine. Dorville, at whose house was to
dine, that L cannot accept her tlattering
invitation for this evening. And
Loumy, as it is O'clock, bping me my
dinner when you return
lon his return sat down to the table.
My orderly first served me with eX-
quisite soup, then salmon of prime
quality, then pheasantS. then prodigi-
Gus quantity OF delicate viands of vari-
GUS kinds. | could see no end to it.
" "'There must be banquet going on at
the mess this evening" l said.
oh, colonel, that is not Gll.' he re-
plies; there's champagne. and the lady
says to me: "I our colonel must drink
my health in glass of this "
''Idiot!' cried, where did you get
my dinner frOm?'
why, colonel! Didn't you say to
me, Bring me my dinner when you
come back" SO [ says to the lady.
You must put the colonel's dinner in
basket"
Judge of my anger. commandant.
"a happy thought came TO me-the
only way TO make amends for this fel-
lows stupidity.
"'Run quick to a florist, l said to
Loumy. Buy nice bouquet, and take
it, with my compliments. to Nine.
Dorvil. Hurry!'
high spirits.
"'WelP You left the bouquet with the
lady? hope you chose one that was
nice and fresh?
g oh. yes, colonel, and the lady-she
wanted to give me frame.
(which, Of course, you did not ac-
cept.'
"'Oh! never. colonel; and l said to
the lady: 'HumbIy asking madam's
pardon, the bouquet cost me 10 francs
And then the lady, she gave me 10
francs, and here they are
,Tlor,