Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-10-01
CHAPTER XVIII.
A ln-n~~o

find Evelyn bending over him, it with
difficulty he realized his surroundings. He
thought at first they were back in their
summer home in the Adriondacks, and
gazed with wonder at the queer oid-fash-
toned furniture of this village public house.
But Evelyn's sweet voice restored his
wandering senses, and he sprang UP to
clasp her in his arms with an alertness
that showed the efficacy of natures only
restorer. Though pale and attenuated from
the strain OF recent events, his mind had
regained it's normal balance.
Could the French troops have seen him
at that moment they would have shouted
''Vive Pempereur.' with all the old vigor.
AS it was, they believed him to be broken
down and half demented. They were for
getting the wonders of the past in the de-
lays, the uncertainties, the weaknesses of q
few doubtful hours.
And, whilst the army of France swayed
in it's allegiance to the one man capable of
leading it to victory, the kaiser was silent
~ preparing the most terrible and effective
blow yet struck in fair fight during the
campaign. OF both these elements of dis
aster Jerome was happily unconscious. He
only knew that Evelyn, whom he thought
dead, alive, nav more, tremulouS wi h
joy in his arms.
Nine. Vansittart and Marie had long been
experimenting the preparation of a meal.
TO which jerome and Armand We're now
ready to do full justice.
A message had arrived from Daubisson.
1t read: "As announced at ) pm. l have
surrounded kreuznach's corps at La Cha
pelle. AT this hour, 8 pm, complete cor
don is established, whilst the eth, Sth, 18th
ana IL tn dlViSlOnS Will march forthwith to
take up positions for early assault.
Il have made full arrangements, and
these cannot be altered in any way, but
will keep you informed of events, so that
you may understand movements of troops
h q
to you"
Jerome read the second paragraph twice
and smiled contemptuously. 1t was his
first conscious intimation of the new aspect
of affairs.
''Daubsson speaks of a German force
surrounded at La Chapele,'' he said to Ar
mand How comes it that the Germans
are established in that village, the very
heart of our left flank?"
Exactly because they desired to get
there. DaubisSon thinks they have lodged
themselves there to enable him to smash
them with ease at daybreak. That is just
what Daubisson would think. and what
they know he would think
Then this successful attack by kreuz-
mach is simply a prelude to a larger effort
elsewhere?"
THAT is how 1 regard it."
Jerome started to his feet. 1T must
come direct from Metz. Where are these
corps stationed that Daubisson speaks of
moving tonight? Surely not at the 'front.'
the daily parade state of the army The
last supplied to him was three days old
Evelyn watched her husband, saw his lips
tighten and his brows knit.
hat is it, dear?" she cried coming to
him
only this, my sweet, that the worst ours
are those most ready to bite the hand that
reeds them. L am going to teach them the
art of fawning tonight"
But what has happened?"
Simply this: That a few days neglect
on my part has made my staff forget their
duty. BY heaven, it Will not occur again 8"
strange Things happened at that period
Jerome, after regaining his senses, had
lost his temper
He went outside. In the next building
where his personal staff were wont to as
duty.
The man was a chaSseur of the 18th our
old friend Pierre Laronde, whose promised
promotion had been forgotten in the rush
OF events since the memorable ride of the
Five Thousand. He presented arms when
ne recognized Vansittart in the gloom.
Where are all the officers eff the staff.
soldier" said the millionaire
Gone off to the picnic at La Chapelle,
your excellency'
Have they all gomez"
We'll. your excellency, Gen. le Breton
was here until half an hour ago. re-
minded Of my promised commission, and
he went, too"
Because l cut the wires that night at
Longuyn.'
Us your name Pierre Laronde2"
ut is, your excellency."
Il remember now"
He dashed into the house and hastily
scrubbed imperative commands to the re-
spective brigadiers
When these were dispatched he bethought
hms elf of DaubissoI, and he wrote the
following note:
Headquarters. Graveiotte, 10 pm.
Delighted to hear of your success, but
have good reason to believe that Kreuz-
nach's march is a feint. The emperor will
probably attack our front in force tonight
Come TO me here with whole staff at once
but first send out orders for Immediate con-
centration of all available troops on Mars
La Tour. Leave corps of observation only
to look after KreuZnach. Guns and cav
airy must be massed in rear of infantry.
ready to move with daybreak [ have
already dealt with brigades mentioned in
your second dispatch. / look to you for
implicit obedience, irrespective of any con-
ditions that may have arisen since your
last communication with me-
JEROME h VANSITTART
'Laronde,' he said, here is your first
mission as captain of my staff See that
it is well performed"
Pierre Laronde required no second bid
dlng. Daublsson was six miles away, with
difticult country intervening. but within
thirty minutes he was in possession of
Shortly before midnight Daubisson ar
rived His unfeigned joy at Vansittart's
reappea rance on the active list dispelled
the last shade of resentment in Jerome's
mind at the apparent neglect shown to
him by his associates.
Daubisson eagerly detailed the steps he
had taken TO fulfill Vansittart's orders
and concluded by saying:
Perhaps we may have to attack Krerz~
mach tomorrow, after all
Before the other could answer a sudden
roar of musketry came through the stil
night air from the direction of Metz
1t was sharp and continuous betokening
very lively ARRAY at the French outposts
Even as they listened the fighting area
widened. until the crackle of small arms
spread through an extended section of the
II Cnt.
Daubisson was as impulsive as he was
brave. Tears came to his eyes as he real
lied the frightful nature of the error in
which he nearly involved the whole of
the magnificent army under his command.
He came near to Jerome and said In a
voice deep with emotion:
Monsieur. II you retain my services I