Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-04-19

Anu yet WIS nearly caught. A Ger.
man officer was leaning against tree,
and almost touched him. l lay still
without breathing audibly for long
time-how long cannot say-until he
moved away. Then, once inside the
lines, rose up and fastened to the
princes headquarters. prayed for
courage and then walked up to the
door. trembled SO that I could hard
ly speak. Fortunately the officer did
not observe my agitation.
"'Take me to his highness Instantly
said in my best German. Important
dispatches
"'Who fromT he began.
"'To his highness instantly 1 said
boldly, but my knees shook under me.
He looked Mt me closely In the dim
light, and 1 felt ready to faint. Then
without word, he took me to the
princes room. Important dispatches
lie said, knocking and showing me in.
From whomY asked the prince.
In private, may it please your
highness,' stammered, but feeling
that would not leave without Felix's
lie OF announcer Tor IL.
"'Retire and leave us, Haupe,' said
the prince, and the officer, closing the
door behind him, obeyed.
"'And now,' said the prince kindly.
You look pale and i'll, sir. What is
your nameY
'"The key was in the door, and I
turned 1t swiftly. And now,' l said.
pulling out my pistol and pointing 1t
full Mt his face-my hand did not even
tremble Mt that supreme moment
your h,ghness.' 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 IRE you, and what do you want?"
Monsieur lie prince said, 4 am
the daughter of the miller of Penney.
My sweetheart, Felix Labardie, was
taken by your men tonight Us Franc
tireur. If he is not already dead, he is
lose your, monsieur
ga womanv he said. We'll done,'
and he smiled, and the pistol almost
dropped from my hand with the pity
Of it till thought of Felix. Il know
nothing Of this, my good woman. No,
but stay. Here IRE some papers FL
berfeld has left for me to sign. All,
here 1t is. Felix Labardie, taken with
arms. To be shot ut five a. M
"'He shall not die, your highness,
or'-I could not threaten him With
words, but my pistol was steady.
"'But he is an assassin
No. cried, he is soldier, though
he does not wear the uniform. Imag-
inc. your highness,' said, If should
have dared SO much for murderer
but he has fought as q Franc
tireur, not Us soldier
"'What of that? And If he had not
fought for France in her hour I would
spurn him from me. He must go free,
your highness, If 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 IRE a brave woman
"And then my courage left me, mon
sieur, and l dropped the pistol and
flung myself sobbing ut his feet and
bcseeched and entreated him. And he
raised me. monsieur, and made me tell
him all the story. All, but he was
brave and n true gentleman! And
when told him all he said, He shall
be pardoned,' adding with n smile,
Such a devoted woman must not go
husbandless.' And then fell to weep
ing again, monsieur, and kissed his
hand and tried to thank him. And he
took me to Felix, and he was released.
I flung myself on Felix and cut his
bonds myself, and we thanked the
prince together. We women don't find
out If men are worth 1t till afterward,
monsieur" with sly look ut her hus-
band. '"Three days later an orderly
came with bracelet from his high
ness, and on 1t was engraved, TO a
brave and devoted Frenchwoman.' See,
wear 1t still.
"Ah, monsieur, we wept when that
noble prince died, and the great doctor
could not save him. We sent wreath
and l presumed to write to the en-
press. She is n worthy daughter of
your queen, monsieur. She sent me
letter written with her own hand. She
was worthy of that true and brave gen.
tleman, her husband"