Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-04-07

she strained her ears to catch tn
faintest sound from below.
Gryphus was in the very act o
discovering ia tulipe," Cornelius il
: an agony of grief, when Esperanc
t suddenly stopped, and sprung to tn
door. Steps were slowly ascending
the stairs, NJ. Lemercier's voice wa
5 heard making some uncomplimentar!
t emark about Trochu-a hoarse voice
asserting. A minute more, and Gas
: pard dragged himself into the dimly
lighted room, almost falling into the
nearest chair, while M. Lemerciel
FASTENED to reassure Esperance.
No, no, he is not wounded, my
dear mademoiselle, only worn gu
with the fatigue and the cold Some
hot brandy and water, Antoinette;
we shall soon revive him, do moi
fear
Esperance took the musket from
the stiff, benumbed hands, and bent
down 20 kiss her brother, starting
back in horror to find his mustache
quite frozen. He was just enough
to whisper, hoarsely, that it would
thaw very soon.
Nine. Lemercier and Javotte began
to tend him with great delight; it
| was their first attempt at nursing,
and between their care, the warmth,
and the restoratives, Gaspard was
soon relieved, and able to give some
account of the sortie, which had been
unsuccessful
This intense cold was of long dura-
ton. 1t told fearfully upon the Ma
tjonal Guard, so much so, indeed, that
as many as could possibly be spared,
were sent back to Paris. Gaspard had
taken a violent chill and was i'll in
bed, and ESperance, while thankful
to have him safe at home, was ter
] ribly distressed at the short rations
Of unappetizing horsefiesh, which, in
his weak state, he found almost un-
eatable. She, for the first time,
fully realized all the discomforts of
! the siege, and longed impatiently for
an end to their privatfon and misery.
had anticipated. To begin with,
Gaspard was much better, and able
to come down to the Lamerciers'
salon, and madame was so bright and
cheerful that it was impossible not to
catch something of her humor.
Then, too, there was a great sur
prise. Javotte returned from her
marketing with a beaming face; she
had been standing Ell queue for hours,
but what joy! she had brought home
rations of beef, and little butter,
Such good fortune did not come
again, however. Food became more
and more scarce, the thermometer
still remained twelve degrees below
zero, and there was no prospect of
relief.
The Jour de Fan dawned gloomily,
even Nine. Lemercier felt a little de-
pressed, everything was so trist; nc
presents, no amusements, no gave
/, ties of any description, but a gray
sky, a mourning people, and distant
firing.
lecture at the republican club to
which he belonged, Gaspard insisted
on joining his battalion, Javotte
went out to the market, and Esper-
ance and madame were left to their
own devices.
Esperance began to make a wreath
of immortelles for her father
grave. Madame sat knitting for
! some time; at last she spoke-but
hurriedly-and as if she disliked her
subject.
'Espe. ance, mon amie do you Lot
think that our poor Javotte grows
very thin?''
ESperance started.
L told her so only the other day
but she merely laughed, and said one
DID not expect to grow fat in a siege.
Do you think she is ill, dear mad
ame?"
Il have thought so for long, my
poor child; but do not grieve, L may
be mistaken. What makes me anxious
is this; for the last two days I have
kept WAUGH WlUu great care u sex
what she eats, and as far as [ can tell
only two small pieces Of bread has
she taken"
Esperance's eyes filled with tears.
'"It must have been in order that
Gaspard and L should have enough!
My poor Javotte! how selfish I have
beeni but even then it see ned SC
little
While they were still talking of her
Javotte entered with her small mar
ket-basket, which, though light
enough, seemed to hang heavily or
her arm. She was an ugly old wo-
man, with very yellow, wrinkled
face, made still more conspicuous by
her pure white cap and scarlet neck,
erchief; but there was something
pathetic in her little black eyes, an6
in her odd, harsh voice as she said
: "The rations are but small today,
, cherie, but they say that at the
: Marche st. Germain there are some
i pretty dogs and cats for SALE
: Esperance could not help laughing
2 Yes, yes, told you so, madame
f 'Boucherie canine etfeline' 1 have
3 seen it with my own eyes. Doubles.
that is where my poor Minette wen
Y the other day, when we missed her
; But, Javotte! Javotte! what is it?'
e for Javotte had suddenly turned pale