Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-04-13

been . sharp oUht = week beloEo. and
I, knew Jacques Pellot had possessed
himself Of some German uniforms that
he had taken from the dead. 80 de-
manded them from him and threaten
ed him till he produced them. A sous
lieutenant's uniform fitted me nicely,
and after cutting on my hair and con-
cealing a pistol and dagger in my tu-
mic hurried away. l crept along eau
tiously when l neared the enemy's
lines, for my plan was to get through
the sentries without being challenged.
When heard the plckets dropped on
the ground and crawled like snake.
And yet was nearly caught. A Ger
man officer was leaning against a tree,
and almost touched him. lay still
without breathing audibly for long
time-how long l cannot say-until he
moved away. Then, once inside the
lines, rose up and FASTENED to the
princes headquarters. 1 prayed for
courage and then walked up to the
door. trembled so that could hard
ly speak. Fortunately the officer did
not observe my agitation.
flake me to his highness instantly
said in my best German. Important
dispatches
"'Who fromT 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 a word, he took me to the
princes room. Important dispatches
he said, knocking and showing me in.
From whomY asked the prince.
In private, may 1t please your
highness,' l stammered, but feeling
that l would not leave without Felix's
life or another for it.
"'Retire and leave us, Haupe,' said
the prince, and the officer, closing the
door behind him, obeyed.
land now said the prince kindly.
You look pale and i'll, sir. What is
your nameY
THE key was in the door, and l
turned it swiftly. And now l said,
pulling out my pistol and pointing it
full at his face-my hand did not even
tremble at that supreme moment
your highness,' l said rapidly, If you
call out, you are a dead man.
'Ah, he was a 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 l said, L am
the daughter of the miller Of Penney.
My sweetheart, Felix Labardie, was
taken by your men tonight as Franc
tireur. If he is not already dead, he Is
condemned. want his life or-you
lose your, monsieur
"A woman' he said. We'll DONE
and he smiled, and the pistol almost
dropped from my hand with the pity
of it till l thought Of Felix. Il know
nothing of this, my good woman. No,
but stay. Here are some papers FL
berfeld has left for me to sign. All,
here it is. Felix Labardie, taken with
arms. To be shot at five q. ~.
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 a soldier, though
he does not wear the uniform. Imag-
inc, your highness,' said, If 1 should
have dared so much for murderer
"'But he has fought as n Franc
tireur, not as a soldier
"'What of that? And if he had not
fought for France in her hour l 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 are a 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 tell
him all the story. All, but he was
brave and true gentleman! And
when told him all he said, He shall
be pardoned, adding with smile,
Such a devoted woman must not go
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. |
l 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 it till afterward,
monsieur" with n sly look at her hus-
band. Three days later an orderly
came with a bracelet from his high |
ness, and on it was engraved, TO
brave and devoted Frenchwoman.' See,
wear it 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 a 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"