The Yale expositor., 1902-04-11
Just Before the Explosion.

wave OF relief sweep over him.
or course the sudden and unan-
nounced arrival OF Sir Noel upon the
scene gave the major still another set
back.
II seemed as though he were fated
never TO get those words OF command
beyond the portals OF his lips.
And he knew Sir Noel. too, knew
that the foreign surgeon was In high
favor with the commandant. even as
he had been with Marshal MacMahon
before the latter's state OF health com
PEELED him 10 relinquish the command
20 successor.
What business had this Englishman
here anyhow-no one had invited him.
and Il was none OF his affair that the
military authorities OF the French
stronghold on the Moselle chose 20
make an arrest.
Was Sir Noel alone?
Paul could not hear the expected
cwish OF garments such as might be-
tray the coming OF those who rep
scented the gentler sex: but this was
not 10 be wondered az I'm the least.
since the German guns kept up n pref
~ constant growing away OF beyond
the forts. and the explosion OF shells
grew more and more frequent in the
streets. occasioning considerable ez-
element among the crowds.
At the same time some intuitiyc
sense told him she was coming. this
girl In whom his whole soul was
wrapped up.
Hlidegarde did not understand fully
what message the white-faccd nun
brought Sir Noel in the hospital. but
she caught a name. Paul's. and under
stood that he was In danger OF his
life. and had sent for the blum. oblig
ing Englishman 20 come 10 the rescue
without delay.
When she saw him start forth per-
haps she feared. poor girl. that the
man she loved had been manned by
one OF the exploding bombs and lay
upon the street with shattered limbs,
his life passing away.
Indeed. at such n time IL was easy
enough TO imagine anything in the
way OF horrors.
Unable 20 withstand the eager desire
to be OF some assistance to Paul In
his hour OF need. she had started after
them.
Nothing had as yet occurred 10
change her ideas as 20 what had hap
pcned,
So that when she reached the open
doorway and CHANGING into the lighted
room with eyes filled with expectations
OF seeing horrors. the first object upon
which they rested was Paul. standing
there apparently IN fair state OF
health the shock TO her nerves was
severe indeed.
Doubtless the presence OF the sol
diers would explain the situation clear
~ enough. especially VIXEN SD. saw
the bellicose attitude OF the major.
Sir Noel had partly lest his breath
In his dash from the hospital and the
succeeding hasty climb OF a flight OF
stairs. Doubtless he managed 90 gather
enough breath to address the major
and ask what Il all meant, and the
gcntlemanly character OF his request
again touched the major in his weak
spot. politeness.
He begged to assure monsieur that
he was only present in the discharge
OF his duty. having received informa-
ton OF the most positive kind that
the etage was shelter for a nest of
German spies. who had long been send
ing information as To the weakness
OF the brave defenders OF Metz In the
line OF provisions-sending these trait
orous reports by some secret under
ground wire or the use OF carrier
pigeons trained for the purpose.
"Of course. they will have a hear
ing?"
The major cast a furtiye glance at
the One Who Must BE Obeyed. and the
quick signal which the countess made
gave him his clue.
Certainly. monsieur. In the morn
ing. 10 they are able. they shall appear
before the military drum head court.
convened for Just such purposes as
this by our commander. and the truth
will either liberate or send them to the
Court Of Execution"
Paul noted that there was n clause
In hts declaration. which somehow he
could not avoid emphasizing. a clause
" considerable Importance. since he
believed tho majors design was that
they should never live to reach the
prison.
"sir Noel. step this way. please" he
raid.
II was az this critical juncture that
movement az the doorway drew the
attention OF the countess. and she be-
anne aware for the FIRST time OF Hide
sarde's presence.
The sght sent the hot blood leaplng
IN bounds through her veins-nothing
must be allowed 90 stand In the way
aow-the presence OF this German
5oauty who had won what she had
med in vain to possess. was n fremont