Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-03-31

superior a certificate that the effect o.
the operation might be injurious 10 an
invalid?"
CASTOR could not help smiling at the
! idea. Il don't quite see" he said, what
cropped head has TO do with a bruise
on the knee; but there can be no harm in
trying"
As good luck would have 1t. Sister An
gelique, in whose memory perhaps still
fingered the fondly cherished recollec-
ton of some romantic episode of her
youthful days, listened with interest TO
the handsome Breton, while he related
to her his hopes and fears. and his at
tachment to his cousin Louise. Being
naturally kindhesried 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 lieuten-
ant burst into the infirmary in a par
oxysm of fury.
$50, youngster," he cried, sit seems
you are bent on Drawing mel Well, we
shall seei 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 a billiard
BALL"
With this parting threat, he bounced
out of the room, and next day every one
Of the future cavalry officers-the pris-
oner alone xcepted-underwent the
summary operation Of cropping" at
the hands Of the barber Pitrot.
Meanwhile. Gastou'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 all--could hear
with pang Of envy the joyous shouts of
his more fortunate colleagues, enamel
pated for few hours from duty. and on
their way TO catch the first train to
Paris.
The day of deliverance. however, was
at hand. Early on the 14th of July-a
date never TO be forgotten by de Ian
geais-the occupants of the infirmary
were suddenly startled by tremendous
uproar Immediately under their win
dows. and. on looking out. imagined for
a moment that pandemonium had
broken loose.
Such a spectacle had assuredly never
been witnessed at ST. Cyr. The entire
quadrangle was thronged by an ex-
cited multitude, rushing TO and fro in
tumultuous disorder. finging their caps
high In the air, and bursting every now
and then into a loud and prolonged hur-
rahl Was it a revolt, maryeled the
sisters and their patients. or what could
i possibly mean?
4 few minutes suificed 10 explain the
mystery. \ hasty step was heard out
side the door, Immediately followed by
the entrance into the sick room of an adj
iutant, bearing in his hand an official
document, the contents of which, re-
cited by him in sonorous voice, were
greeted with an enthusiasm bordering
IN frenzy
War is declared with Prussia BY inn
oerial decree, the seniors are henceforth
Before the sisters. deafened by the
'lamor, had recovered from their stupe-
action. they found themselves alone in
he infirmary, the invalids. one and all, |
having mustered strength enough to
brow aside their wraps, and make the
,est of their way downstairs.
Castor. whose instantaneous cure |
sister Angelique afterwards described
s little short of miraculous, was the |
irst 10 rejoin his comrades; and, des-
rying his prosecutor. Bouchard, |
landing apart from the rest. and APP
,arenily in no very good humor, went
p TO him with outstretched hand and
rank. CHEEKY smile:
well. lieutenant" he said, "you
fon't have me cropped now."
so it seems" grimly replied the
ther, returning somewhat reluctantly
he proffered grasp. "You have more
uck than you deserve; for. depend
pom it, | should have shown YOU no
iercy!"
Each of the seniors entitled to pro-
loticn having notified 10 the adiutant
n duty the regiment to which he was
of being attached. the prepara-
ons for departure were speedily COM
leted. At an early hour in the after
Don the band Of exulting Youngsters
arted for Paris. intent on making the
lost of the three days allowed them
efore joining their respective corps.
aston's regiment being stationed at
lille, he had ample leisure, after par
king OF a farewell repast at Brebant's
18th his old companions. to carry into
Secution a long-cherished project of
lying flying visit TO his cousin Louise
Trouville; and. repairing on the
bird day TO headquarters. reported
mself TO the colonel of the Forty-sec-
I'd Dungeons. who received him most
i
hfod are dispensed from duty" said
K chief "until vOu have ont vniir kit in |