Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-03-31
Won by w aiting.
j BY y
EDNA LYALL.
Continual.

with smoke ana DUST, and telling
triumphantly OF the hundred and fifty
Plussians taken prisoners, her pa
riotism revived again, and her cour-
age too. The Revolution Of the 31st
Of October, consequent on the fall
OF Metz, was an almost pleasurable
excitement, since she knew he father
ard brother to be in safety, and not
even the sounding Of the generate"
IT, the dead of the night had power to
alarm her.
The weeks passed by slowly, each
one bringing fresh privations; even
horseflesh was now a dearly pur-
chased luxury, and the price Of bread
rose daily. Every one was beginning
TO feel that some fresh effort must be
made, and Esperance was scarcely sur
prised when, on the evening of the
28th of November, M. de Mabillon
told her that a great sortie was to be
attempted on the following day.
Il tell you of it, cherie, because I
know you would be vexed if / did
not he said, and because you have
shown us that you can bear suspense
veil and braVely."
Her troubles had certainly taught
her to be more self-controlled, for she
Only turned a shade paler as she
asked, falteringiy, do you march to-
night, dear papa?"
Yes, in an hours time, my darling;
but let us have a few words now
while We are alone. l have been talk
ing to Monsieur Lemercier, and he
has promised me that if anything
should happen to us tomorrow he will
take care of you, and when the siege
Is over take you and Javotte to Eng
land"
ITO England papa! but WHY"
Because, dear, | feel sure that in
whatever way this war ends, some
time must pass before the country
is settled. You know the present state
of the Government-the scenes Of the
31st OF October will be sure to re-
peat themselves, and will, I fear.
lead to something worse; so, my child,
II | am no longer here to take care
of you, the sooner you are safely in
England the better"
Esperance shuddeTed
I'VE need not plan, papa. I will do
just as MCnsieur Lemercier tells me;
only do not talk as if-as if
She hid her face on his shoulder,
and did not try to finish the sentence.
M. de Mabilon held her closely,
now and then whispering words of
comfort and trust, but more generally
keeping unbroken silence; until in
spite of the coming struggle Esper-
ance was soothed and strengthened to
endure.
At length Gaspard came in. flushed
and eager. but remembering Esper-
ance, he stifed his enthusiasm The
room was almost dark save for
faint CLEAN from the stove BY this
he could see her little white face
raised
"Gasnard." che said, "is it you? Is
II nearly time?'
eyes. chario" he answered. bend
ing down to ki~s he": "T w>nt YOU to
he orr brave little vivandiera and
fird VS. something before we start"
coffee. and in a few minutes the three
SGT down To thei" soantv meal. none
of them sorry that The light was dim.
Ten O'Clock struck. M de Mqbillon
sid it was time TO 60 and Gaspqrd.
ever on the alert was reody at once.
COURAGE che~ier" he whiere~od Civ
frg his sister a farewell kiss: "Lomer-
"'er VIII lot you know how we get on
tomorrow"
She let him go passively, and with
trembling fingers tried to tie her
fathers scarf
My brave little girl" he muir
E.ured; then, as the word of praise
proved to much for her, and her tears
could no longer be controlled, he took
her in his arms.
My precious little Esperance, God
bless you!"
She chung to him in last, long en-
brace, then watched him go down the
stairs IN silence. The door closed
upon them, aud she turned to sob out
her grief in the arms Of the faithful
Javotte
All the night continuous stream of
National Guards marched past. Es-
perance took a strange pleasure in
watching them, and in trying to rec
ognize her fathers battalion. In
the cold, gray dawn she slept, and
Javotte put her to bed, hoping that
she would sleep late the next morning
so that the suspense might not seem
SO long.
She woke unrefreshed and weary,
her heart aching as she heard the
continual firing Nine. Lemercier,
knowing that this would be a trying
day for her, sent up an invitation to
de1euner, and Esperance. who was >
oel,ever in distraction, was very
glad to accept it.
IL Is strange meal, consisting of
bad bread, cheese, and coffee without
milk, but so scarce had provisions he
come, that Esperance thought It ouite
Injurious. NJ. Lemercier, a little
orieG-up man with a fierce. black
mustache. made her laugh with his
description of the purchase of the
cheese, and madame was SO kind and
cheerful, that she began to be COM
1Crted. and to look on the bright side
OF things, even when later they heard
tnat serious fighting was going on
and that the ambulance was films
fast
Esperance had spent the whole da,
with Nine T,fmarcior. - uro, IL,