Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-10-21

the British, who could look with compla-
cency upon these obsolete pieces of artillery
or remain ignorant OF the very patent fact
that the whole fortification would be about
their ears in ten minutes under the shells
OF a man-of-war, against which they must
De entirely helpless, as none of the ancient
specimens of cast iron he about him
could throw any projecule more than loo
yards, and that crooked And then he turn
ed with zest to take a look at the opulent
Island to the south. one small corner of
which could just be deserted from the spot
where he stood. All, the future!
He placed Miss Lennard and, retiring,
got his focus. In many places and in divers
positions he photographed her, and with
her the Notifications covered by the war
office at Paris.
AS his professional outlook frightened
the more warmly glowed the words Of the
inffammable Gaul. At the first picture she
was "chere mademoiSelle, before the last
she was-but never mind. Miss Leonard
| might read this story, and then where
should 1 be If told?
That evening Merovinge said:
My friend. let me embrace you! You
have achieved a success You have achieved
an Immense service to France and to me,
Be tranquil! You will have your reward
Francois responded as was expected of
him, but his heart was unreasonably heavy,
and though he tried to persuade himself
that the great desire he felt to develop his
plates vas only the outcome of professional
| zeal, tat 1t had nothing whatever to do
with the human interest contained in the
photographs. he was obliged before long to
own that his motives were not purely pa
| triotic-were, in fact. a little mixed
| So the Loup-garou put out to sea, and
! Francois. gazing back at the receding fort
! crowned ridge. acknowledged to himself
| that he had indeed conquered. but the con-
| test had left sting in his memory. AS the
| shores OF China were growing with every
! moment more indistinct, there came across
| noise. and then again. and yet again. 1t
| was almost as if blasting We're going ON.
| Capt. Merovinse opined that the English
| were probably trying to fire salute from
| those guns!"
On the Tonquin station 1t Is very difficult
| almost impossible, to get leave of absence,
| and so weary month wore on, while Fran
| co.'s yearned to return to China. The pho
| tographs and information had been duly
sent to the proper authorities III Paris, and
| upon their answer Francois built hopes OF
securing time to return to Fort Tcheu. for
| that desolate spot he now knew had an
| irremedfable hold upon his heart. Judge
! then of his feelings when letter arrived
for him. bearing upon it the unforgotten
handwriting of mademofsele. He clasped
| it to his heart and retired to his cabin to
read Its contents. Goodness only knows
what he expected them to be. What they
| actually were is given here. together with
! the comments Of the gentleman to whom
| they were addressed.
| Dear NJ. Francois: l hope you have not
quite forgotten Fort Tcheu and ourselves.
| (..evaire. mademoiselleD Do you remem-
Der those photographs which you took
while you were here? (Francois cast his
eyes upon one of them which hung ever
| the locker) 1 am going to ask you favor.
ct Is already granted ma belleD I was
very fond Of the old Notifications, but our
| stupid government had condemned them as
effete-tMon DieuD I don't know whether
! mentioned that to you when you were
here? CWhat perfidyD They were de-
| stroyed the day you left. There are new
| ones on the ridge looking toward the island,
but though they may be much more useful
they are not nearly picturesque as the
old. and should feel very CRATE to you
| II you would let me have a copy Of one or
two of the views you took that day My
husband sends his compliments to all on
board the Loup-garou. And, thanking you
beforehand-r remain yours sincerely.
"CORDELIA CANNON"