The Irish standard., 1898-02-05
other capillary unguepts, and yet COM
PEELED to obey the imperative mandate,

;nvalt;?"
Castor could rot help smiling at the
idea. II don't quite sec" he said, what
cropped head has TO do with bruse
on The kaee; bat there ear be 70 harm in
trying"
As goo,' .uck would b45yyyyy it, Sister An
ge!iqu". in M''~sc memory perhaps still
fingered the fondly cherished recollcc-
ton of some romantic episode of her
youthful days, listened viii: interest to
the handsome Breton, while he related
to her his hopes and fears, and his at
tacaluent to his cousin Louise. Being
naturally kindhearted and sympathetic,
she agreed without much persuasion
to his rather homogeneous request; so
that Pere Pitrot, relieved from his dis
agreeable responsibility, went on his
way rejoicing.
a quarter of an hour later the licuten-
ant burst into the infirmary in par
oxysm of fury.
so, youngster," he cried, at seems
you are bent on Drawing me! Well, VIC
shall see! You cannot stay shamming
here for ever; and mark my words
when You do come out. I'll have that
head of yours as smooth as billiard
BALI"
With this parting threat, he bounced
out of the room. and next day every one
OF the future cavalry otliccrs--the pris-
oner alone Observation-Disclosures the
summary operation of cropping" at
the hands of the barber Pi,rot.
Meanwhile. Gaston's position was by
no means an enviable one Through the
grated windows of the infirmary he
could see his comrades mounting their
horses in the courtyard and caracoling
gaily as they passed; and on Sunday
most painful trial of nll-could hear
with pang of envy the joyous shouts of
his more fortunate colleagues. emanci-
pated for a few hours from duty, and on
their way to catch the first train to
Paris.
The day Of dcliverancc. however, was
at hand. Early on the 18th of July-a
date never to be forgotten by de Lam
Gcais-the occupants of the iniirmary
were suddenly startled by 4 tremendous
uproar Immediately under their win
dows, and, on looking out, imagined for
moment that panllrmonium had
broken loose.
Such & spectacle had a@s,lrc'!ly never
been witnessed at st. CSr. The entire
quadrangle was 1hror~rd by an on
cited multitude, rushing to and fro in
tnmnltuous disorder, tlirging their caps
high in the air, and bursting every now
and then into loud and prolonged hur-
rah! Was it revolt, marvclcd the
sisters and their patients, or what could
it possibly mean?
few minutes suf1ice,l to explain the
mystery. y hasty step was heard out
side the door, Immediately followed by
the entrance into he sick room of an adj
iutant, bearing in his hand an official
document, the contents of which, re-
cited by him in Il sonorcus voice. were
greeted with an enthusiasm bordering
on frenzy.
"War is declared with Prussia. by inn
perial decree. the seniors are hcnccforth
sub-licutenants."
Before the sisters, Geafened by the
clamor, had recovered from their stupc-
faction, they found themselves alone in
the infirmary, the invalids one and all.
having mustered strength enough TO
throw aside their wraps, and make the
best of their way downstairs.
CASTOR, whose instantaneous cure
Sister Angelique afterwards described
MS little short of miraculous, was the
first to re- join his comrades; and, dcs-
crying his prosecutor, BoucIhard,
standing apart from the rest, and APP
parcntly in no very good humor, went
up to him with outstretrhcd hand and Il
frank, CHEEKY smile:
'Well, lieutenant" he said, "you
wont have me cropped now!"
$50 it seems" grimly replied the
other. returning somewhat reluctantly
the proffered grasp. "Ycu have more
luck than you deserve; for, depend
upon it, l should have shown you no
mercy!"
Each Of the seniors entitled to pro-
motion having notified to the adintant
on duty the regiment 10 which he was
DESTROYS of being attached, the prcpara-
tions for departure were speedily com
pleted. At an early hour in the after
noon the band of cxnting youngsters
started for Paris, intent on making the
most of the three days allowed them
before joining their respective corps.
iaston's regiment being stationed at
Lille, he had ample leisure, after par
taking of farewell repast at Hrebnnt's
with his old companions. TO carry into
execution long-chcrished project of
paying flying visit to his cousin Louise
at Trouvillc; and, repairing on the
third day to headquarters, reported
himself to the colonel Of tho Forty-scc-
ond Dungeons, who received him most
cordially
"Son are dispensed from duty," said
his chief. "until you have got your kit in
order. Young man, you have arrived in
the very nick of time, for before the
week is out, we shall be- on our way 10
the front"
On his first appearance at mess dc
Langcais discovered. to his astonish-
mcnt that every one of his now COM
panons. without exception, was closely
cropped. "a very necessary prccau-
tion," said the president, Gin war time;
the less ircumbrancc VIZ carry about us
the better. A long beard and as little
hair as possible; no comb or razor
wanted; nothing but q simple brush
up" mn
"Not TO mention" ctirncd in an old
rampaigner of proycrbial badness,
that heavy helmet plays the very