Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1901-12-05
quy, better to admit him before anger

-
arose between them.
well, Monsieur, you bring argu-
ments which a mere woman cannot
resist. Bring your soldiers in. but I
must ask you to respect the sanctity
of a woman's abode"
eyes, Mademoissene," said the lieu
tenant, with a bow, 1--WE shall respect
it-as long as she respects it her.
self"
Then began the search. Through
the rooms the soldiers went, in all
the hurry and ruthlessness of actual
war, searching, probing, o~yerturning,
emptying the contents of cupboards
and drawers, ripping up cushions,
tossing aside chairs, tables, orna-
ments, with %unsparing thoroughness,
breaking locks and hinges wherever
they stood in the way.
Lucille looked on in proud, silent
horror. She almost forgot the human
peril in the anguish of that destruc-
ton. To see this ruin of all her treas
ures; this ruthless, indiscriminate
waste of beauty; this loveless ravage
of all she loved, brought her a pain
almost as bitter as that of actual
death or wounds. She bit her lip to
restrain the tears.
But she vas suddenly brought back
to the real peril.
For the soldiers had finished their
search through all the rooms opened
to them, and nov they stood at a
pause amid the wreck they had Gre
ated. Lucille noticed a curious glare
in their eyes, as of beasts baked of
their prey.
The lieutenant came up to her and
saluted.
81 am profoundly sorry, Mademoi-
selle, but 1 must ask leave to search
the bedrooms"
Lucille sprang back as if she had
been stung.
"1nsolent!" she cried. "Not content
with this savage destruction, you put
this insult on a lonely woman"
The lieutenant was annoyed and
abashed, and for a moment he hesitat-
ed.
But then came back the memory
of the woman's ~treachery to his com
rade, and his annoyance now took the
form of obstinacy and sulkiness.
ga thousand regrets, Mademoi-
~selle," he growled, %fumbling with his
sword, "but time presses; my men
r wanted for other service; if you
do not give me leave, I must take it."
"Take it them" she retorted, you
will find a room on your left where
you will have the pleasure of disturb
ing my servant from her first sleep
for many nights. When you have WIS.,
tied her, you will then take the pleas
ure of an unlimited visit to my ROOM"
But the old servant was still Sleep
ing the deep sleep of utter WEAKNESS,
and e the searching soldiery did
disturb her. Perhaps the SIGHT of
the lined, tired face of the old woman
had some soothing effect On them,
for they moved more gently through
her room, and seemed less thorough
in their search.
Lucille stood at the door and waited.
The lieutenant stood rather sheepish-
ly in the middle of the room, shifting
one foot to another, now rather
of his task.
THAT will do" he said at last
to his men, and then, turning
to Lucille,
pardon, Mademoiselle, we are sat
as to this room"
''Thank you, Monsieur. Perhaps,
for the other, 1 had better lead the
In spite of herself, her heart was
now beating painfully. Before her
wer the closed hands of fate-life
and honor in the one; shame and
leath in the other. Which would be
opened?
She stood at the door of her room
to let the soldiers pass. Then she
in silence.
The lieutenant was now a little hur-
lied and embarrassed.
Gently, gently" he growled to his
nen, as they began to push the fur
liture roughly aside. 1.-TWO will do
or this-you, Jean and Jules-the
est go out. Now, search the cup
The cupboard was thoroughly ran
sacked, but, of course, with no result.
The area of search gradually mar
owed. They were nearing the bed.
lucille held her breath.
She glanced at the counterpane.
a heavy old-fashioned
anopy hid the upper part of the bed.
so cunningly were the clothes
leaped that she herself could see nc
ign of life or movement.
The lieutenant, now thoroughly en-
'arrassed and anxious to get through
With the task, turned his back on the
ed and twirled his moustache impa-
"Quick, quick" he said.
Jean, the elder of the two soldiers,
"An searched, lieutenant, except
he bed. Shall I look at it?"
mo, you fool" said the lieutenant
ngrily. The sergeant saluted again.
The lieutenant stamped his foot.
''Stay, you can look under it, but
e quick, for heavens sake!"
Jean stumbled across and looked
nderneath. He looked quickly and
ursorily. Then he returned to the
fficer and saluted nee more.
Nothing there, lieutenant"
''Then go. march," he cried.
=" My deep regrets, Mademoiselle,
Or the performance of so unpleasant
duty"
She nodded casually.
The room seemed to swim around
She heard the tramp-tramp-
f the soldiers in the passage; the
Iamming of the door sounded family