Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1895-02-05

will allow ir:... Iwsll get my knitting
Certainly. said
when | saw him carried of, I"
Jeanne began as soon as she was seated.
81 was in despair for knew what his
fate would be. And then the good vir-
gin put an idea into my. head. and
prayed to her to give me the strength
and GINNING TO carry il out. There had
been sharp fight week before. and
knew jacques Pellot had possessed
himself of some German uniforms that
he had taken from the dead So / de-
manded them from him and threatened
him till he produced them. A sous lieu
tenants uniform fitted me nicely. and
after emitting of my hair and concealing
a pistol and dagger in my tunic hur-
ried away. ! crept along cautiously
when / neared the enemy's lines. for
my plan was to get through the sentries
without being challenged When 1
heard the pickets, | dropped on the
ground and crawled like a snake. And
yet ! was nearly canght. A German
officer was leaning against q tree, and
! almost touched him. lay still with
out breathing audibly for long time
how long ! cannot say--until he moved
away. Then, once inside the lines.
rose up and hastened to the princes
headquarters. Iprayed for courage and
then walked up to the door. trembled
so that l. could hardly speak. Fortu-
nately the officer did not. observe my
agitation
Take me to his highpess Instantly.
said in my best German. Important
dispatches.
Who from?' he began.
"'To his highness instantly. said
boldly. but my knees shook under me.
''He looked at me closely in the dim
light. and 4 felt ready. to faint. Then
without word he took me to the
prince q room. Important dispatches,
he said, knocking and showing me in.
From whom?' asked the prince.
In, private, may, it please your
highnesR stammered. but feeling
that 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
'Yon look pale and i'll. sir What is
your manner
1.-THE key was in the door, and turn
ed it swiftly. And now,' / said, pull
ing out my pistol and pointing it full
at his face-my hand did not even
tremble at that supreme moment-'yourI
highness,' said rapidly. if you call
out, you are a dead man..
''Ah, he was German. but he was
SO brave, SO bravel He did not even
vince, but he looked straight into my
eyes and smiled.
An he said lightly, "a stratagemi
Who are you, and what DO you want?'
Monsieur lie prince. said, i am
the daughter of the miller of Penney
My lover, Felix Larondie, was taken by
your men tonight as a Franc tireur If
he is not already dead. he is condemn
ed. want, his life or-you lose yours.
monsieur
A womanl he said. Well done,
and he, smiled. and the pistol almost
dropped from my hand with the pity of
it till thought. of Felix. i 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 Larendie, peasant, taken with
arms. To be shot at q. 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.
No, | cried, he is q soldier,
though he does not wear the uniform.
Imagine, your highness. said, If /
should have dared SO much for muir
derer.
"'But he has fought as. a Franc.
tireur. not as a. soldier.
What of that, monsieur Andif he
had not fought, for France in her hour
would spurn him from me- He must
go free, your highness. If you value
your life.
my life is in the hands of God,
mademoiselle. he said, lifting his eyes
to mine Threats do not move me, but
You are a brave woman
"And then my courage left me, mon
sieur, and dropped the pistol and
flung myself sobbing at his feet and
beseechsd and entreated him And he
raised me. monsieur. and made me
drink wine and tell him all the story
All, but hewas brave and true gentle
manlI And when had, told him all he
said, He shall be pardened, adding.
with q smile, Such q devoted woman
must not go husbandless. And then
fell to weeping again, monsieur, and
kissed his hand and tried to thank him.
And he took me to Felix, and he was
released. flung myself ON Felix and
cut his bonds myself. and we thanked
the prince together. We women don't
find ont if men are worth it till after
ward, monsieur, - with q sly look at
her husband Three days later an or
DERBY came with bracelet from his
highness. and ON it was. engraved, TO
q brave and devoted Frenchwoman.
See. wear it still
"Ah, monsieur, we wept when that
noble prince died. and the great doctor
could not save him. We sent . wreath,
and presumed towrite TO the empress.
She is a worthy daughter Of your queen,
monsieur She sent me letter writ
ten with her own hand She was
worthy Of that trne and brave gentle
man, her husband Exchange
Diamond Test.