Washington sentinel., 1898-04-16

most primitive kind. The entrance hall
was composite Of salon, kitchen and
dining room, AT one end Of the room
was an immense open chimney, around
which sat number Of rough, uncouth
looking men. The place was picturesque
IN the extreme, with its bright copper
saucepans shining in the soft light OF the
60agfsS, and its quaint old furniture
scattered in comfortable disorder about
the apartment. So far all was well an d
fairly satisfactory; but mo roomsP
was the short and surly response when
our tired fugitives asked for a nights
hospitality However, the Americans
urged the necessity of the case with such
MISUNDERSTANDING that they had an
invalid lady with them whose life would
be impcrilled if she were obliged to
travel farther that night, and, dare
say, using still weightier arguments in
the form of the yellow metal-that two
OF The rough looking men by the fire.
place consented to give up their room
to the ladies', and two others, following
their lead, Offer ed theirs to the two
gentlemen. The following morning
found them facing a serious dilemma.
They zeal luslY secured the little hamlet
and ITS environS in search of a convey
ance in which to continue their journey,
but nothing ofthe kind could be lound
to suit their purpose, and, despite the
peril, they were forced to go to the
little railway station and await the train
fortunately, as it drew up they dis
covered a vacant compartment Of which
they hastily took possession, and by
generously bribing the guard, they
retained it Tor themselves.
After about an hours journey they
alighted at the town of Lisieux. The
rain was then pouring in torrents, but
this was an item too Insignificant to be
considered at this stage OF desperate
life crama, Leaving theii charges in
the bleak, uncertain shelter of the porch
OF a dilapidated old church, the two
indomitable escorts started forth again
in search ofa fitting conveyance in which
to continue their flight across country
to the coast. They had a long, dis.
couraging hunt before they found any.
thing at all to the purpose, but at length
they returned with fairly com Portable
arrangem ent which was to take them on
to Point l'EVeque and Deauvllle After
a long ride the party took refuge in the
rooms OF Mrs. Evans at Deauville, a
charming resort. After careful inquiry
the gentlemen OF the imperial suite
learned that Sir John Burg oyne was in
port with his pleasure yacht, the Gazelle,
aud they at once set out to interview
him. THIS gentleman was so fearful OF
some harm. coming to himself or his
possessions # he assisted IN the escape
OF the empress, that he at first declined
having anything to do in the matter.
But our two Americans were so insistent
that he yielded to the decision OF Lady
Burgoyne, who was on board the yacht.
Ii was arranged that all should be on
board at midnight, and the two inde-
fatigable doctors hssteued back TO che |
hotel to conclude preparations for their |
flight in the darkness In the meantime, |
Mrs. Evans had been neither idle nor
ungenerous. but had supplied from her
own toilet all articles necessary Tor the |
comfort OF the two ladies during the
remainder of their journey.
Not daring, for fear OF detection. to
drive to the dock where the yacht
awaited them, they were forced to make
their way across ploughed ground and
swampy fields, through the deep mud
and driving rain. The mud ever grew
softer and deeper, the darkness deuser,
as at eleven o'clock, DR.. Evans-with a
twinkling lantern which rendered the
darkness more visible and revealed the
quagmlre at their feet only too late for
avoiding it-escorted. Eugene across
the black, dreary distance o the hospit.
able, tossing little craft, which they
finally reached in safety, sound in limb,
but exceedingly weary and much toll
stained-fOr often the Empress had sunk
to her knees iu the mire. One halfhour
later, DR.. Crane followed the same
cou Sc with like experience, escorting
Madame lie Breton. The little craft was
forced to wait tall the storm abated ere
1t could cross the dangerous channel to
England and safety Aft rward, in
speaking Of this perilous crossing,
Eugenie SAID; II thought. over and over
again. that we should be lost; and death
at that time and place SEEMED TO me
something desirable aud sweet" DR..
Evans, faithful to the end, accompanied
the Empress to Chiselhurst, where she
has since lived-wheTe now are the re-
mains Of her husband and SON Napo-
leon III, and the young prince imperial.
Though she was to suffer further tribu-
lations, the Empress had escaped the
Commune. The chivalry Of republican
America had rescued the intended VIC
tim OF republican France.
DESTRUCTION OF TIE AMERICAN WAR
SHIP MAINE