Waterbury Democrat., 1901-05-31
UNDER TWO FLAGS
By "OUIDA."

'O0ce uOEG uAe bEuHu9 HI tA AsAtiC- CAi- bel Napoleon Premier would not have left his marshals to ask thatl He Is the finest soldier in Africa, if it be possible for one to be finer than anoth- CT where all are so great. They know that. They pick him out for all the dangerous missions. But the Black Hawk hates him, and so France never hears the truth of all that he does. All I know is he calls himself here Louis Victor"
 "Ah, have heard much of him. A fine soldier, but
 "A fine soldier without a but" in- terrupted Cigarette, with rebelIious in- difference to the rank Of the great man she corrected, unless you add, but never done justice by his chief
 As she spoke her eyes for the first time glanced over the various person ages who were mingled among the staff of the marshal, his invited guests for the review upon the plains She saw a face which, though seen but once be- fore, she knew instantly again-the face of ssrniladi" And she saw it change color and lose it's beautiful hue and grow grave and troubled as the last words passed between herself and the French marshal.
 sAh, can she feel" wondered Ciga- rette, who with common error of such vehement young democrats as herself always thought that hearts ney- CT ached in the patrician order and thought so still when she saw the list less, proud tranquility return, not again to be altered, over the perfect features that she watched with so much violent fnstinctive hate.
 She scarcely heard the marshals voice as it addressed her with kindly indulgence as to a valued soldier and a spoiled pet in one.
 Have no fear, little one. Victor's claims are not forgotten, though we may await our own time to investigate and reward them. No one ever served the empire and remained unrewarded. For yourself, wear your cross proudly. It glitters above not only the bravest but the most generous heart in the service"
 She saluted once again and paced down the ranks of the assembled divi- sions, while every lance was carried, every sword lifted, every bayonet pre- scented as she went, greeted as though she were an empress for that cross which glittered on her heart, for that courage wherewith she had saved the tricoIor.
 The eyes of yenetia Corona followed her with something of ineffable pity. Poor little unsexed childp' she thought. "How pretty and how brave she is and-how true to himr'
 The Seraph beside her in the group around the flagstaff smiled and turned to her.
 T said that little amazon was in love with this fellow Victor. How Loyalty she stood ap for him. But if he ever forsake her she will be quite as likely to run her dirk through him." u
 "Forsake herl What is he to herr" Y
 There was a contain impatience in the tone and something of contemptu- ous disbelief that made her brother look at her in wonder.
 What on earth can the loves of a camp concern herr" he thought as he answered. "Nothing that I know of. But this charming little tigress is very fond of him. By the way, can you point the man out to me? am curious to see him."
 Impossible. There are 10000 faces, and the cavalry squadrons are so far off"
 She spoke with indifference, but she grew a little pale as she did So, and the eyes that had always met his so frankly, so proudly, were turned from him. :
 Cecil did not hear the gallant words spoken in his behalf by the. loyal lips that he had not cared to cafess. As Cigarette passed down the ranks, Indeed, he saw and smiled on his little champion, but the smile had only a weary kindness of recognition in it, and it wounded Cigarette more than though he had struck her through the breast with his lance.
 Venetia gave low, quick breath of mingled pain and relief as the last of tie chasseurs paced by The Serapil started and turned his head.
 My darling, are you not well"
 HeTIecuy-
 "You do not look so, and you forgot to point me out this special trooper. l forgot him too.''
 s'He goes there = the tenth from here"
 Her brother looked. It was too late.
 He is taller than the others. That is all can see, now that his back is turn ed. will seek him out when'-
 Do no such thing And why? It was by your own re- quest that I inquired"-
 s'Think me changeable, as you will. Do nothing to seek him, to inquire for lfim"-s
 'But why? A man who at Zaraila"-
 Never mind Do not let it be said you noticed a Chasseur d'Afrique at my instance"
 Meantime in another part of the camp the heroine of Zaraila was feasted., not less distinctively, if more noisily and more familiarly, by the young off cers of the various regiments. Ciga- rette, many a time before the reiGnins spirit of suppers and caEouses. was banqueted with all the eclat that beht- ted that cross which sparkled on her blue and scarlet vest. High throned on a pyramid of knapsaeks, canteens and rugs, toasted a thousand times in IL f.,