Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1895-03-18

'When | saw him carried off, !"
Jeanne began as soon as she was seated,
II 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 cunning to carry it out. There had
been sharp fight week before, and
l 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 cutting off my hair and concealing
pistol and dagger in my tunic / hur-
ried away. I crept along cautiously
when I neared the enemy's lines, for
my plan was to got through the sentlies
without being challenged. When l
heard the pickets, I dropped on the
ground and crawled like snake. And
yet l was nearly caught. A German
officer was leaning against trae, and
I almost touched him. I lay still with
out breathing audibly for a long time
how long cannot say-until he moved
away. Then, once inside the lines. I
rose up and fastened to the prince
headquarters. l prayed for courage and
then walked up to the door. l trembled
so that l could hardly speak. Fortu-
nately the officer did not observe my
agitation.
:" Take me to his highness 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 1 felt ready to faint. Then
without a word no took me to the
princes room Important dispatches,
he said, knocking and showing me in.
"From whom?' asked the prince.
"'In private, may it please your
highness, I stammered, but feeling
that would not leave without Felix
life or another for it.
8" 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 the door, and turn
ed it swiftly. And now, I said, pull
ing out my pistol and pointing it full
at his face-my hand did not even
tremble at that supreme moment-'your
highness, said rapidly, if you call
out, you are dead man..
"Ah, he was a German, but he was
SO brave, so brave! He did not even
vince, but he looked straight into my
eyes and smiled.
All, he said lightly, "a stratagem
Who are you, and what do you want?'
Monsieur lie prince, I said, I am
the daughter Of the miller Of Pency.
My lover, Felix Larondie, was taken by
your men tonight as Franc-tireur. If
he is not already dead, he is condemn
ed. l want his life or--you lose yours,
monsieur
ga womanp he said. We'll done,
and he smiled, and the pistol almost
dropped from my hand with the pity of
it till I 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 Larondie, peasant, taken with
arms. To be shot at 5 a. H..
He shall not die, your highness,
or'-I could not threaten him with
words, but my pistol was steady.
But he is all assassin.
"'No,' l cried, he is 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 soldier.
"'What of that, monsieur? And if he
had not fought for France in her hour
| would spurn him from me- He must
60 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 brave woman.
'And then my courage left me, mon
sieur. and l dropped the pistol and
flung myself sobbing at his feet and
beseeched and entreated him. And he
raised me, monsieur, and made nc
drink wine and tell him all the story
All, but he was brave and true gentle.
man! And when had told him all he
said, He shall be pardoned, adding,
with smile, Such devoted woman
must not 60 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 Oh Felix and
cut his bonds myself, and we thanked
the prince together. We women don
find out if men are worth it till after.
ward, monsieur" with a sly look at
her husband. '"Three days later all or.
derby came with bracelet from his
highness and on it was engraved, nc
a brave and devoted Frenchwoman.
See, l 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 to write to the empress.
She is worthy daughter Of your queen,
monsieur. She sent me letter writ.
ten with her own hand. She was
worthy of that true and brave gentle
man, her husband. "--Exchange.