The Topeka state journal., 1897-12-30
A POOR RETURN.


invader, who had encamped around st.
Cloud and Suresnes. Paris, fettered, exist
ing upon black bread and horsehesh, shiv-
cred in an icy mantle The black branches
Of the leaiess trees over in the Bois stood
out distinctly against the gray, stormy
sky and upon the ground snow was lying
thick.
The night was dark and moonless as TO
and fro walked on sentry duty. My post
was lonely one under the strongest por-
tion of the wall near the Porte de la Mu-
ette
As tramped on I thought of my home
away in the center of the inert, trembling
city; of my young wife, blue eyed, fair
haired, from whom I had been torn away
ere our honeymoon was over. How, ]
wondered, was she faring? AS an adyo-
cate had been distinctly successful, hav-
ing been intrusted with quite number Of
causes celebres. But on the outbreak OF
war my chances of fortune had been sud
denly wrecked and I had been called on to
eerve with the One Hundred and Sixth
regiment of infantry, first under General
Chanzy on the Loire and afterward taking
part in the defense of Paris.
Though now SO near the woman 1 loved,
I saw very little of her. Indeed had not
been able to snatch an hour to run home
for the past fortnight. Yet while trudged
on knew that one of the truest and best
women on earth was awaiting me in the
great old house in the Rue st. Sauveur.
think that for some time I must have
been oblivious to my surroundings, for on
turning sharply my eyes suddenly detected
some indistinct object moving cautiously
in the shadow. Something prompted me
to refrain from challenging, and with rifle
ready quickly hurried to the spot. With
a cry of surprise a man in workman's
blouse sprang forward right up to the
muzzle of my gun.
I challenged and presented my rife.
''Hold!'' he gasped in French in low,
hoarse tone. Louis Henault, don't you
know me? Have you SO soon forgotten
your fellow student, Paul OIbrich?''
The voice and the name caused me to
start.
'fYou!'' cried peering into his face
and in the semidarkness discovering the
scar upon his cheek that he had received
at the fencing school at Konigswinter.
f'You, Paul, my best friendl Alas, that
you are Prussian and we meet here as
enemiesl''
''As enemies, - he repeated in a strange,
harsh tone. Eyes, Louis, you are right, -
he added bitterly; "as enemies"
"Why are you here?" inquired breath
1essly. "Why are you disguised a French
workman? 1t is my duty TO arrest you
to-
''But you will not. Remember, we were
friends beside the Rhine, and we can only
be enemies to the outside world. Surely
you of all men will not betray meP'
''When last I heard of you, two years
age" said, ''yOu were lieutenant OF
dragons. Tonight you are here inside
Paris, disguised"
'ETO tell the truth, he replied quickly,
sit is love escapade. Let me get away
quickly beyond the walls and no one will
know that you have detected me. See
over there" and he pointed to portion OF
4Iov In 4Ka cI Te
my fiancee. I have dared to pass through
your lines to rescue her before the final
onslaught"
peered in the direction he indicated,
and could just distinguish a figure, hidden
by a cloak and closely yelled.
"Quickr' he continued. "There is nc
time for reflection.
Muff1ed footsteps and the clank of arms
broke the quiet. Three officers were Gp-
preaching.
"Go May heaven protect youp'
Scarcely had they disappeared when
there were shouts, followed by shots rapid
ly exchanged.
''Spiesl" 1 heard one of our men c.
claim. "And, sacre, they've escaped"
At that moment the officers who had
approached ordered me to halt, and FRO
ceeded to question me as to whom had
been speaking with. / admitted that the
man was a stranger and that 1 had al
lowed him to pass out of the city.
The penalty was DEATH The stern, gray
haired general before whom I was taken
half an hour later pronounced sentence,
and without ceremony I was hurried of to
execution.
But the bonn bardment had recommended
vigorously, and as l was being led along a
shell fell close to my escort, and, bursting,
killed two of the poor fellows and demon
allied the rest.
saw my chance and darted away.