Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1899-03-01

energy ana wit OF q woman. Jeanne.
Jeanne, ma petite. come here"
Jeanne came to the door.
"Come and tell monsieur how you
saved me, ma petite"
A blush overspread Jeanne's features.
"What. that foolish story againr
"Certainly not foolish" interposed.
81 should deem It a kindness II you
would oblige me-"
"If monsieur wishes 1t, and monsieur
will allow me, will get my knitting"
Certainly" I said.
"WhenI saw him carried or" Jeanne
began as soon as she was seated, Il
was in despair, for I knew what his
fate would be. And then the good
Virgin put an idea into my head, and
prayed to her to give me strength and
cunning to carry it out. There had been
a sharp fight a week before, and j
knew Jacques Pellot had possessed
himself of some German uniforms that
he had taken from the dead. So de-
manded them from him and threatened
him till he produced them. A sous lieu
tenants uniform fitted me nicely, and
after cutting Off my hair and conceal
ing a pistol and dagger in my tunic ]
hurried away. I crept along cautiously
when 1 neared the enemy's lines, for
my plan was to get through the SEN
tries without being challenged. When
I heard the pickets I dropped on the
ground and crawled like q snake. And
yet l was nearly caught. A German
officer was leaning against a tree. and
l almost touched him. 1 lay still with
out breathing audibly for long time
moved away. Then. once inside the
lines, rose up and hastened to the
princes headquarters. 1 prayed for
courage and then walked up to the
door. 1 trembled so that could hardly
speak. Fortunately the officer did not
observe my agitation.
Take me to his highness instantly
said in my best German. important
dispatches
".Who from? he began.
".To his highness instantly I said
boldly, but my knees shook under me.
He looked at me closely in the dim
light, and l felt ready to faint. Then
without word he took me to the
princes room. Important dispatches
he said, knocking and showing me In.
".From whom| asked the prince.
"Tn private, may it please your high
ness,' / stammered, but feeling that
would not leave without Felix's life or
another for it.
Retire and leave us, Haupe,' se'd
The prince, and the officer. closing vle
1oor behind him, obeyed.
land now,' said the prince kindly.
You look pale and i'll, sir. What Is
your name"
THE key was In the door, and
turned it swiftly. And nOw,' said,
pulling out my pistol and pointing IT
full at his face-my hand did not even
tremble at that supreme moment
your highness,' said rapidly, If you
call out. you are dead man..
"Ah, he was German. but he was
so brave, so brave! He did not even
vince, but he looked straight into my
eyes and smiled.
".Ah,' he said lightly, a stratagem!
Who are you. and what do you want"
Monsieur lie prince 1 said, L am
the daughter of the miller Of Pency.
MY lover, Felix Labardie, was taken
by your men tonight as Franc-tireur
If he is not already dead, he is con.
demned 1 want his life or-you lose
yours. monsieur
"A womanv he said. Well done
and he smiled, and the pistol almost
dropped from my hand with the pity Of
1t till l thought of Felix. L know moth.
ing of this, my good woman. No, but
stay Here are some papers Elberfeld
has left for me to sign. All, here 1t is.
Felix Labardie, peasant, taken with
arms. To be shot at a. M
"'He shall not die, your highness. or
Il could not threaten him with words
but my pistol was steady.
But he is an assassin
"'No,' l cried, he is n soldier. though
he does not wear the uniform. Imagine,
your highness,' 1 said, If should have
dared so much for a murderer
But he has fought as a Franc
tireur, not as a soldier.
"'What of that? And II he had not
fought for France In her hour l would
spurn him from me. He must go free.
your highness, IL you value your life.'
my life is In the hands Of God,
mademoiselle,' he said, lifting his eyes
to mine Threats do not move me, but
you are brave woman
"And then my courage left me, mon.
sieur. and l dropped the pistol and
flung myself sobbing at his feet and
beseeched and entreated him. And he
raised me, monsieur, and made me
drink wine and tell him all the story.
All, but he was brave and a true gen.
tleman! And when 1 told him all he