Omaha daily bee., 1898-07-03
THE OMAHA DAILY BEE. SUNDAY, JULY 3, 1898.

y ULl -, 1898.
climbed the dark stairs TO Harewood's empty
room. II was something to be in his room
1t helped her to look out into the dark
ness. For he was somewhere there in the
darkness.
Shivering, she sat down by the window.
On the Notifications below the unwieldy
bulk OF the Prophet doomed up, tilted sky
ward. a shapeless monster in its waterproof
covering. Rockets were rising slowly from
Mont valerien; in the east the sky lowered.
tinged with a somber, lurid light, perhaps
the reflection of some hamlet, fred by the
Prussians, burning alone at midnight.
A wet wind blew the curtains back from
the open window; her little naked feet were
numb with cold. The never-ending desire
to see his room, his clothes, his bed again,
came over her. She dared not light a candle
1T was forbidden to those who lived on the
ramparts-so she rose and passed along
each wall, touching the objects that had
been once worn by him. She knew them
already by touch, his gray coat, his riding
jacket, his hats and caps and whips and
spurs. She rearranged the brushes and
toilet articles on his bureau, her light touch
caressed his books and papers and pens
where they lay on the little table. Then she
went to the bed and buried her head on the
pillows, crying herself TO sleep-a sleep full
of vague shapes, a restless sleep that stole
from her heavy lids at dawn, leaving her TO
quench the fever in her eyes with tears
again.
1t was the last day of october. Bourke
had gone away to the city before breakfast
to verify an ominous rumor concerning Metz,
published in a single journal of the day be-
fore, and vigorously denied by the official
journal.
Yolette and Red Riding Hood were in the
cellar, storing more cases of canned veget-
ables and mourning the loss Of Scheher-
| azade, who had been sent on Saturday to
the geological gardens in the Jardin DIES
| plantes. Bourke had insisted on it; food
was becoming alarmingly scarce: there was
no fresh meat to be had except horse meat
and even that was to be rationed the first
week in November.
The lioness had been carted off sorely
| against her will. She snarled and growled
and paced her cage with glowing eyes, in
which the last trace Of gentleness and af-
lection had been extinguished.
Hide, deep in her own trouble, scarcely
needed this new one. Scheherazade had
been changing in disposition ever since the
first cannonading. Sullen. ~fnrtive, she
haunted the depths of the garden, ignoring
Hides advances until Yolette began to feai
the creature. So now, when 1t was neces-
sary to send the lioness away, Hide said
nothing and Yolette was not sorry. Niche
met Ali, the parrot, however, screeched hi
remonstrance, which amused Bourke be-
cause Scheherazade was the first living
thing that the vicious old bird had ever
shown any fondness for.
So the lioness was packed off to be fec
by the government, and Burke improved
that opportunity by sending Mehemet AL
and the monkey also, which made tive
mouths the less to feed in case of famine.
Down in the cellar Yolette stood, piline
timed fruit and vegetables against the di-
vision wall, aided by Red Riding Hood. Al
the child's request Yolette was varying the
monotony of their toll by telling a fairy
story. Red Riding Hood listened gravel.
as Yolette continued:
"And the princess waited and waited fol
her dear prince, who had gone to fight tn,
werewolf. And he did not return"
II know said the child, what yo,
mean"
"What?" asked Yolette absently.
THE prince is M. Hardwood and tn,
princess is Mile. Hide"
"And the were wolf % said Yolette, faintl,
amused.
The were-wolf-that is the Prussiar
army" Yolette's face sobered.
THE Prussians are very cruel and yer.
ferce-like the werewolf" she said. Come
little one, re must go to the Kitchen
At the top of the cellar stairs they me
Bourke. His serious face changed when b
saw Yolette, but his expression had no
escaped her.
Breakfast is ready she said quietly. "
have not yet breakfasted myself. Shall W
go in?"
She led the way into the dining room an,
closed the door. He put his arms aroun'
her and looked into her clear eyes.
at is bad news?" she said slowly.
Eyes, Yolette."
"Not-not about M. Harewood?"
mol hope not"
Tell me, Cecil"
METZ has surrendered; Bazaine and hi
army are prisoners"
Tears filled her eyes.
What else, Cecil? There is somethin
else"
"Yes, there is. lie Bourget was carrie
by assault yesterday forenoon"
She sat down by the table, nervousl
twisting the cloth. He took a chair opposite
resting his chin on his hands.
Jim was there" he said after a silence
Extraordinarily"
"Yes, he will come back to Paris becaus
the sortie has failed to pierce the Germa
lines"
HE should have come back last night,
said Yolette.
Bourke nodded silently.
And because he has not yet returned yo
are worried" continued Yolette. Her han
otn1n aa.naH ~ 4, \ .-l a.
over 1t.
He has been delayed-that's ALL" sal
Bourke, making an effort to shake off HI
depression.
will say nothing to Hide about it,
mo, not to Hide" murmured Yolette.
Red Riding Hood entered bearing tn
breakfast covers. Hide came In q momer