The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1894-12-28

| captain, showing him into LoutSe'S room.
II will now go and have some supper pre-
pared
PRAY, monsieur, obl1ge me by doing
nothing of the kind. The events of yes
terday and the occupation Of today must
have much disturbed every one here.
discovered restaurant on my way and
have had a good meal"
AS the captain descended the narrow
stairs he was much exercised. Surely the
stories he had heard of the brutality of
these Prussians must be exaggerated In
his day when town was taken possession
gave an almost unbridled license. There
was no question of civility. Simply might
| made right.
He found Louise and Suzanne, very pale
and trembling, in the sitting room and
| told them his impression as to their I'M
welcome visitors, which went far to tran
| quilize their fears. While conversing the
heavy tread of descending footsteps was
heard, and Rudolph Won Armsdorf in the
red uniform of the kings hussars, entered
the room. Exceedingly handsome he
| looked-tall fair and manly, with a clear
blue eye and sweet expression. AS he
| bowed there was an astonished look upon
| his face
my daughter Louise, monsieur-lieu-
| tenant
"Von Armsdorf. At your service, ma
demoiselle Then, turning to the cap
tain, he said: "Sir, fear you have de-
prived mademoiselle of her room. 1 must
insist that you permit me to bivouac here
on this couch, and tomorrow will make
other arrangements, leaving my name on
your door as protection.
Louise looked up shyly. Surely she had
never seen SO handsome man. He could
even compare with her brother Henri.
my servant desires to know If he can
| be of service in the kitchen. Perhaps your
maid will make him understand, although
| he speaks only few words of French"
The matter being explained to Suzanne,
she suddenly lost her fears, and presently
there was much laughter heard from the
| kitchen.
Rudolph fell asleep dreaming of Louise
| and Louise could not sleep for thinking OF
him.
And SO the days went by, these two
young people being continually in one an
others society, until at last liking fell in
to loving. What could they do, these two
poor things, helpless in the hands of the
god of lovef And SO it fell out that they
plighted their troth with the consent of
the captain, who was as much delighted as
war was over they were to be married
Certainly no officer in the First army was
SO happy as Rudolph Won Armsdorf, and
certainly no girl in the department. of the
Somme SO joyous as Louise de Monceaux.
Perhaps it was the terrors of war and the
uncertainty of daily events which drew
those two young hearts closer together
her wild fears for his safety when he went
on duty to the front, his anxiety for her
welfare until his return.
The new year had scarcely commenced
when intelligence was received that Faid-
herbo, with every available man, had &C.
cupicd Bapaume, about II miles from
Amiens and that his advance posts were
at Querrieux, some two miles nearer.
That morning Rudolph had been decorat-
ed with the Iron Cross, the proudest dis
tinction that German soldier can earn,
and it was in high spirits and with beat
ing heart that he galloped back to Louise
to exhibit that much sought for decora-
ton While the little party were seated
In the parlor specializing as to how long
France would continue to wage SEEM
ingly useless war they were disturbed by
an orderly galloping up to the little gar
den gate.
.'Orders, suppose, said Rudolph, ris-
ing and going out. He did not return for
some minutes; then the orderly galloped
away. When he entered the little room,
his face had strange look, which the eyes
of love at once perceived. The story was
soon told. Faidherbe was advancing on
Amiens, there was to be a reconnaissance
that afternoon, and the kings hussars were
to lead it. Louise was inconsolable and
was at last carried up stairs by her lover
In, ~ Thara xpa &c No time fO DELAY
already the bugle had sounded, and tear
ing himself away Rudolph jumped on his
charger and joined his regiment
Two hours afterward the sound of heavy
and continued firing, with the occasional
boom of gun, was distinctly borne to the
ears of Louise and her father. Terrible
were the moments as they went slowly by.
Would her father go and get some news?
Yes, the old captain would. He went Oh
his GRAND 1t was now dark. Except an
occasional shot, nothing was to be heard.
Louise sat In a sort of stupor. How long
she sat thus she never knew. She was
aroused by the sound of stealthy footsteps,
the latch was gently lifted, and q dark
figure stole in.
Father, is that your" she cried, start
ing up.
Hush, Louise, for Gods sake 1t is 1
Henri. Pull to the shutters"
Henri, my brotherl" And the next
moment they were In one another's arms.
"How came you here, dear? What has
happenedT
Then he told her how there had been q
sharp skirmish, that he had been taken
prisoner, but that upon entering Amiens
he had escaped in the darkness and come
to his home for shelter.
on Amiens Tomorrow, and soon the city
in full retreat"
But, Henri, we have IN officer quarter
ed here. He may be back at any moment.
You must flyP'
well, don't want to be shot as a spy,
SO give me something to eat, and I'll be
off shall easily get back. It's as dark
as pitch Get u light and go outside and
keep watch Don't call any one"
A good meal was soon before him and
as rapidly dispatched. Then, taking q
stout stick, he called Louise. She came in
and carefully closed the door.
'Goodby, my little sister," he said, en-
bracing her, while she put her arms round
his neck and kissed him. At this moment
the door was thrown open, and Rudolph
stood at the door, rooted to the spot
For few seconds there was dead ST.
lence-Louise pale as death, her brother
naughty and erect, Rudolph like statue.
Then the door closed, and the latter rode
into the room. Never before had Louise
heard that soft voice utter such metallic
tones. The words seemed to drop from
his lips like Ice.
II regret" he said, "having disturbed
this tender interview. You, sir, are with
in our lines doubtless to obtain informa-
ton. Were 1 to do my duty I should at
once arrest you, but after what 1 have
seen my conscience would revolt against
such proceeding. give you five min
utes to make good your escape. If at the
end of that time you are found here your
blood be upon your own head, " and with
out look at Louise he turned and left
the house. AS the door closed Louise gave
piercing cry and sank at her brothers
feet. There was no time to lose; SO, laying
her gently upon the couch, he quickly
left the cottage and was soon lost in the
darkness.
On the next day was fought the battle
of Querrieux, one of the most stubborn of
the northern conflicts Rudolph, who had
been attached to the generals staff as ex-
ira aid-de-camp, was everywhere, expos
ing himself under the hottest fire, his
brain burning like a volcano and his
heart feeling like ice. It was 8 O'Clock.
Neither side had gained any advantage.
The Germans doggedly held the village Of
Querrieux, while the French held the OPP
posite side of the ravine, only small
stream dividing them. Then the adyanc-
! ed line of the French was strengthened,
and they once more attempted to drive