The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1894-12-26

mademoiselle" Then, turning 10 the
captain, he said: ''Sir, fear you have
deprived mademoiselle of her room. /
must insist that you permit me TO biv-
ouac here on this couch, and tO-mor-
row / will make different arrange
ments, 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 broth
er Henri.
my servant desires to know if he
can be of service in the kitchen. Per-
haps your maid will make him under
stand, although he speaks only Il few
words of French.
The matter being explained to SUI
zanne, she suddenly lost her fears, and
presently there was much laughter
heard from the kitchen.
Rudolph fell asleep dreaming of Lou
| ise, and Louise could not sleep for
| thinking of him.
And so the days went by, these two
young people being continually in one
another's society, until at last liking
fell into loving. What could they do;
these two poor things, helpless in the
| hands of the god Of love? And so il
fell ont that they plighted their trOth
with the consent Of the captain, who
was as much delighted as any one,
and il was decided that when the war
was over they Were 10 be married.
1 Certainly no officer in the First army
was 50 happy rs Rudolph v0n Arms
dorf, and certainly no girl in the de
partment Of the Somme 80 joyous as
Louise De MonceauX. Perhaps il 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 commenc-
ed when intelligence was received that
Faidherbe, with every available man,
had occupied .Bapaume, about l. miles
/ from Amiens, and that his advance
posts were at QuerrieuX, some two
miles nearer. That morning Rudolph
had been decorated with the Iron
Gross, the proudest distinction that a
German soldier can earn, and il was
in high spirits and with beating heart
that he galloped back to Louise 20 cX-
hibit that much sought for decoration.
While the little party were seated in
the parlor Specializing rs TO how long
France would continue To wage d
seemingly useless war they were dis
turbed by an orderly galloping up to
the little garden gate.
'Orders, | suppose" said Rudolph,
rising and going out. He did not re-
turn some minutes; then the orderly
galIOped away. When he entered the
little room, his face had a strange look,
which the eyes of love AT once per-
ceived. The story was soon told.
Faidherbe was advancing on Amiens.
There was TO he a reconnaissance that
afternoon, and the kings hussars We're
| TO lead il. Louise was incOnSoiable
and was at last carried up stairs by her
lover in a swooE. There was no time
To delay, already the bugle had sound
ed, and tearing 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 dis
tinctly borne 20 the ears Of Louise and
her father. Terrible were the mo-
ments as they went slowly by. Would
her father go and get some news? Yes,
the old captain would. He went on
his errand. 1t was now dark. EX-
cept an occasional shot, nothing was
to be heard. Louise sat in 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 a dark figure
stole i'm.
Father, is that you?" she cried start
ing up.
"Hush, Louise, for Gods sake! 1t i
Henri. Pull to the shutters"
'Henri, my brotherr' And the next
moment they We're in one anothers
arms How came you here, dear:
What has happened?'
Then he told her how there had been
sharp skirmish, that he had been
taken prisoner, but that upon entering
Amiens he had escaped in the dark
ness and come 70 his home .or shell
ter.
''Faidhcrbe," he continued, .'alyaae-
e. on Amiene tomorrow, and soon the
city viii he ours and those dogs Of Ger
mans in full retreat"
"But, Henri, we have an officer
quartered here. He may be back at
any moment. You must hy.'
"Well, / don: want to be shot as a
spy, % give me something 80 eat, and
I'll be oil: / shall easily get back.
It's as dark a. pitch. Get 4 light and
go outside and keep watch. Don't call
any one"
y good meal was soon before him
and as rapidly dispatched. Then, TAX
ing stout stick, he called Louise.
She came in and carefully closed the
door.
''Goodby, my little sister," he said,
embracing 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 /
silence-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" be said, "having disturb
ed this tender interview. You, sir, are
within our lines doubtless to obtain
information. Were / 10 do my duty /
should at once arrest you, but after