Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-11-30
THE RED FLAG.
CONTINUED.


who had bigger game for their sport;
but the confagration WAS terribly near.
AL the sky was lurid with reflected
fire, and the thunder of the cannonade
and the rush and roar of the flames
were heard in every gust of wind
which blew this way, while every
now and then came the sharp sudden
sound Of an Xplosion-another roof
blown up, another wall falling.
The atmosphere was poisoned by the
odors Of petroleum, and the thick rank
smoke from the Granaries of Abund
ance, where the stores of wine, OIL
and dried fish fed the fierceneSs of the
flames and intensified the stencil of
burning. Everywhere the work of de-
StructiOn was being hurried on. The
Commune was at the last gasp; these
explosions and burnings were the death
rattle.
The little courtyard below DurandS
windows was alive with people, going
out and coming in, restless, anxious
alarmed, talking to each other in door
ways or at open windows, bringing in
the last news, which was likely to be
false as true.
Durand opened window of the little
salon softly, while Rose slept, and
looked out
They are burning Notre Dame" said
a man in the court, seeing him at
the window, and eager to impart his
information. ''They have piled bar
relS Of petOleum all the length of the
nave, halfway to the roof, and they
are going to set it Oh fire. The grand
old roof will fly into the air presently,
like Il pack of cards. 1T will be a sight
worth SEEING" he added, hurrying out
as if to play.
''St. Eustache is on fire. said another
man, "and they are going to burn the
Prefecture of Police. Rigault and his
chums have been having a great sup
per there-seas of wine, mountains of
provision-and now they know their
day is over, and they are going to
blow up the building"
Durand shut the window. A palace
more or less, q church more or less!
What did it matter amidst this univer-
sal ruin?-the Prussians at the door;
sport of circumstances; France in
tatters, unable to save her bishops,
her generals, her cOunsellors, her sol
diers: given over as a prey to a san
culinary pOpuiace.
This strong clear headed man sat
down crushed by the weight of his
country'S desolation. He whose brain
was usually quick to plane cool to exc,
cute his plans, now felt powerless to
look beyond the horror of the hour:
but the ruin which overwhelmed him
was not the destruction that reigned
without his dwelling. 1t was the
blank within, that empty home up
stairs, which filled him with horror
which was ever in his mind as haunt
in fear.
1t was three days since CASTOR had
disappeared, and now Kathleen was
gone. She had slipped out unseen by
the porter or by any of the neighhors
She had vanished like Il ghost at break
of day. When he went up to her
rooms this morning to carry her the
FAST news of her sister. to cheer and
comfort her, and buoy up her sinking
hopes. as he had done all through
the two previous days of her trouble
h" found the nest deserted.
There was no doubt as to her flight
or it's purpose. The inner room was
locked. and the key taken away; the
outer room was neatly swept and gar
niShed everything was in its place
Easton'S bureau was locked: the glazed
cabinet in which he kept his cherished
collection of bOOkS-nOt large, but sc
carefully chosen: chosen as poverty
chooses its treasures, one by one, de-
liberately, anxiously-this. too, was
locked. and every book on its shelf
and on the table lay letter addressed
to Durand.
Dear Philip, dear BrOther,-I am go
ing to look for my husband. Have
no fear for me. Heaven will pity and
protect my wretchedness. | shall be
about all day and every day seeking
for my beloved; but l shall come back
here at night for shelter and rest, il
possible. If [ do not come back after
dark you may know that my wander
ingS have taken me too far afield. But
you need have no fear. OF one thing
you may be Sul'e-while my reason re
mains / viii not destroy myself. I will
be true to the teachings of my child
hood. and God will give me grace tC
bear my troubles.
DO not let one thought of me dis
tract you from your duty of protecting
Rose and her baby. If she asks about
me, tell her that I am safe, in good
hands, well cared for and protected
Is not that the truth, when l am in
the keeping of the Holy Mother and he1
blessed angels ?-Ever lovingly, youl
sister. Kathleen"
1t was midnight; the long drehry
day was over, and she had not return
ed Philip had crept upstairs, and
looked into the empty room severa,
times in the course of the day; but
there had been no sign of Kathleen's
return. He had questioned the land
lord, who kept the hall-door locked and
bolted in this time of panic; but the
man had seen nothing of Kathleen.
1t had been altogether a trying day
Rose was weak and somewhat fever
ish, and inquired anXiously every hour
about Kathleen. Why did not her sis
ter come to SEE her? Where was Gas
ton? Philip was sorely perpleXed how
to reply Castor was at the newspapel
Office. he faltered on one occasion.
''Rllt the neWSnaner was suppressed