Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1895-07-26

49,
would oblige me"
"If monsieur wishes &c. and monsieur
will allow me, Twill got my knitting. +"
"Ceytainly, / said.
"When l saw him carried OF,
Jeanne began as soon as she was seated,
II was in despair, for / knew what his
fato would be. And then the good Vir-
gin put au idea into my bead, and l
prayed to her to give me the strength
and cunning to carry it out. There had
boon q sharp fight a week before, and
l knew Jacques Pellot had possessed
himself OF some German uniforms that
no had taken from the dead. So l de-
mandod them from him and threatened
him till no produced them. Asous lieu
tenants uniform fitted me nicely, and
after cutting of my hair and conoealing
q pistol and dagger in my tunio / hur-
ried away. l crept along cautiously
when / neared the enemy's lines, for
my plan was to get through the sentries
without being challenged. When /
heard the pickets, / dropped on the
ground and crawled like a snake. And
yet / was nearly caught. A German
officer was leaning against a tree, and
1 almost touched him. 1 lay still with
out breathing audibly for q long time
how long l cannot say-until he moved
away. Then, once inside the lines, l
rose up aud hastened to the PRINCES
headquarters. 1 prayed for courage and
then walked up to the door. 1 trembled
so that l could hardly speak. Fortu-
nately the officer did not observe my
agitation.
Take me to his highness instantly.
I said in my best German. Important
dispatches
who from?' he began.
"'To his highness instantly, 1 said
boldly, but my knees shook under me.
"He looked at me closely in the dim
light, and 1 felt ready to faint. Then
without q word he took me to the
princes room. Important dispatches, ;
he said, knocking and showing me in.
"'Trom whom?' asked the prince.
80 In private, may it please your
highness, l stammered. but feeling
that l would not leave without Felix's
life or another for it.
Retire and leave Us, Haupt, said
the prince. and the officer. closing the
door behind him, obeyed.
"'And now said the prince kindly.
'You look pale and i'll, sir. What is
your name?'
"The key was in tho door, and turn
ed it swiftly. And now, , l said, pull
ing out my pistol and pointing it full
at his face-my hand did not ever
trclnble at that supreme moment-'your
n%ighness, l said rapidly, If you call
out, you arc a dead man.
"Ah, no was a German, but he was
so brave, so bravei He did not even
vince, but he looked straight into my
eyes and smiled.
"'Ah, he said lightly, "a stratagem
Who are you, and what do you want?'
Monsieur lie prince, , / said, 4 an
the daughter Of the miller of Penoy.
My lover, Felix Larondie, was taken by
your men tonight as a Franc-tireur. II
he is not already dead, he is condemn
ed. l want his life or-you lose yours,
monsieur.
ga womanp he said. Well done, ,
and he smiled, and the pistol almost
dropped from my hand with the pity Of
it till l thought Of Felix. 1 know
nothing of this, my good woman. No,
bat stay. Here are some papers Elberfeld
has left for me to sign. All, here it is.
Felix Larondie, peasant, taken with
arms. To be shot at 8 a. M
He shall not die, your highness,
or'-I could not threaten him with
words, but my pistol was steady.
But he is an assassin.
mo l cried, he is a soldier,
though he does not wear the uniform.
Imagine, your highness, l said, If
should have dared so much for a muir
derer.
"'But no has fought as a Franc
tireur, not as a soldier.
"'What of that, monsieur? Andif hi
had not fought for France in her hour
l would spurn him from me He mus.
go free, your highness, if you value
your life
"'My life is in the hands Of God
mademoiselle, he said, lifting his eye
to mine. Threats do not move me, bu
you are a brave woman
And then my courage left me, mon
sieur, and l dropped the pistol ant
flung myself sobbing at his feet an'
beseeohed and entreated him. And h
raised me, monsieur, and made m
drink wine and tell him all the story
All, but he was brave and a true gentle
mani And when l had told him all h
said, He shall DO pardoned, adding
with q smile, Such a devoted woman
must not go husbandless. And then
fell to weeping again, monsieur, an,
kissed his hand and tried to thank him
And he took me to Felix, and he wa
released. l dung myself ON Felix an,
cut his bonds myself, and we tbankeI
the prince together. We women dom
find out if men arc worth it till after
ward, monsieur, " with a sly look q
her husband. Three days later an OF
derby came with u bracelet FROM bi
highnoss, and on it was engraved, II
a brave aud devoted Frenohwoman.
See, / wear it still
"Ah, monsieur, We wept when tina
noble prince died, and the great dooto
could not save him. We sent a wreath
and Drosumel tO write To the omnrpss