The Holly chieftain., 1902-08-08
CHATTER XVII.
Beyond. the Rhine.

sl.s5 l.f = n
CHATTER XVII
Beyond, the Rhine.
Months after.
With the Iron Chancellor at the
plow the Shastly furrow Of war, with
all its attendant horrors, had pene-
trated far beyond the historic Rhine.
All France was quivering under the
fearful shock.
Sedan and Gravelotte had been
fought and lost-Worth was but a
dismal nightmare. the emperor pris-
oner Of war with MacMahons fne
army, and both Msts and the capital
besieged.
Everywhere the German arms had
been victorious.
Paul Rhinelander had alredy seen
much Of wars horrors, and AL that
was martial in his nature had been
stirred by the scenes Of excitement
that had come his way.
There had been news of Hoffman.
The man was a traitor to his coun-
try-madness had seized upon him,
and making use of the fact that his
maternal grandparents were Alsations.
hence French subjects. he had gone
over to the enemy, bag and baggage.
Paul heard this with grim satisfac-
tion. Paul, who knew to a certainty
that this change of heart had been
wrought through the witchery Of that
beautiful and magnetic creature, the
countess, and that Conrad was her
latest victim.
All unknown to Rhinelander, events
were under full headway and driving
swiftly toward most dramatic eli
max, at which altar his fate must be
decided.
1t was an October evening
The mutter and growl of heavy
siege guns. that for hours had been
sending their projectiles into the
forts defending the citadel of Metz.
had by degrees died away, and night
was spreading her mantle Of rest over
the tragic scene. MacMahon's great
army was hemmed In more securely
than ever
This October night VS. destined to
be forever marked by 1 white stone
in the annals Of raul's romantic life
history-sre the morning star shone
upon Metx he would have passed
through another experience that must
have a decided influence upon his
whole future. -ss5.-,
He was sauntering about after com
ing from the neld hospital. when he
met by chance an aide Of the general
in command at this post.
From him he heard news that cleo.
trified him: news that indicated so
daring night assault on the fortress
that Paul hardly believed 1t to be
true. Immediately he sought an au.
dience with the commander to beg for
indulgence and the coveted opportun-
ity of seeing whatever of action there
might prove to be In the assault.
Rhinelander had seen much Of SER
vice, but his desire to have some sort
OF share in everything that came to
pass led him to Join the forces &c.
lected for this hazardous task. He
was In the van. Of course--men Of
his stamp usually find some means Of
reaching the front rank when the bat
tie is in progress.
When the French opened fire it
seemed as though the whole outer
works blaxed with the fury Of We
suvius
Chassepot and mitrailleuse mingled
their bark until 1t became thunder
Gus roar-men shouted and cheered.
while above it all could be heard the
hollow rattle Of the hat Bavarian
drums.
To Paul the music was q. hideous
nightmare. but he could appreciate the
fact that 1t served to animate and
enthuse these Bavarians just ~ the
pibroch thrills the Highlander-mus-
cies grew ~ stin q iron, teeth
snapped close together, eyes were ret
IN that steady stare. that tSlls Of in
domitable will power-and into the
jaws Of death they went.
They were now at the foot Of the
apparently impregnabls fortress.
The hre above was Just - furious.
but most Of the missiles overshot the
mark, and had they chosen 10 wait.
chance for . breathing span now Of
fsrsd itself. However. thsy wsat up