The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-07-20
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ceedcd in pacifying them.
This incident, joined to the scene at the
station, was evidently too much for Mime.
Nincent's nerves. Upon reaching Dover
she declared that she felt too weak and
! i'll to proceed farther and would remain
at hotel for the night.
Il wish l could stay and see you safely
across in the morning." whispered Whar-
ton as he fingered by her side. 1T 10
really too bad, but unfortunately there IL
no help for it. Duty renders it impera-
tive that l should reach Paris early in
the morning; otherwise
60" she murmured family. "You
have been most kind and attentive. As
for me, a good nights rest will restore
me-"
"When shall I see you again?"
Tomorrow evening, in Paris. Oh,
those wretched men! They have quite
upset me. Now, do not miss your boat on
my account. Goodby till tomorrow"
Tucking his dispatch bag under his
arm, Wharton stepped on board the boat,
his mind agitated by conflicting emotions.
The following morning the secretary
for foreign affairs reached his Office rath-
er earlier than usual, for the papers had
announced to him that war had already
been declared. The French emperor, re-
lying upon the telegraphic communion
ton which had reached him the evening
before from the prime minister of Eng
land, had taken that decisive step. To
the general public the announcement was
startling, for many thought that actual
hostilities were yet far distant.
The foreign minister was engrossed in
a copy of The Times when he was inter-
rupted by the hurried entrance Of the
premier himself.
Eve have been either tricked or be-
trayed" said the premier excitedly.
Read this. 1t has just reached me from
the emperor Of France"
He laid q telegram on the table. The
communication was in cipher, but the
rendering of it was written underneath.
1t contained the startling announcement,
Messenger has not arrived"
CONSERVATION reigned in the foreign Of
fee that morning. Messages were fash
ed to Dover, to Calais, making anxious
inquiries for the missing messenger. 1t
was found that he had reached the latter
port in safety, but there all trace Of him
was lost.
1t was too late, however, to remedy the
evil, war having actually been declared.
England was forced to withdraw from
the position which she proposed to take
with regard to France. She was COM
PEELED to remain neutral, which was pre-
cisely what Prince Bismarck desired.
Not for many years afterward was it
discovered how or under what circum-
stances the messenger had disappeared.
Then, strangely enough, news came Of
him from America.
1t appears that he had been living
there under an assumed name and upon
his deathbed told his story to a friend.
Briefly it was this:
Upon reaching Calais it had occurred
to him to examine his bag in order to as
certain il the treaty was safe. He open
ed it and, to his horror, found-blank pa
pers!
Looking at the bag more carefully, he
saw that it was not really his, but one
closely resembling it, even to the many
half torn labels which covered it. Then
the truth suddenly dawned upon him.
His own bag had been purloined in the
train to Dover and another substituted
/ in its place.
And Nine. Vincent-she who had won
his affections, who had repealed or en-
couraged him, to suit her purpose? Too
late he saw that she was one of Bis
marck's secret emissaries. 1t flashed
across him that the scene at the station,
the quarrel in the train, were all prear-
ranged. While his attention was en-
gagged with the two foreigners Mime. Vim
cent had effected the change of bags.
The wretched messenger, knowing the
consequences that would ensue, was
driven to despair. He vowed never to
return to England. Disgusting himself,
he made his way to Havre, whence he
embarked for the United States.-Penny
Pictorial Magazine.