The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-05-03
PHILIPPE AND JEANNE

of Normandy-high and narrow. with
fantastic gables and a deep stone para
pet running along the roof. In fact. the
house was Old fashioned. but pictur.
esque. and It proved a godsend to
Jeanne. IL was left her by an old aunt
with whom she had lived as a child.
The husband. an ex-cavalryman. was
considered fortunate to have secured
two such tasty dots at one venture.
but he only looked on it as a happy pro-
vision ~ Providence TO save him from
work. which he abhorred.
Great numbers of English tourists
had at last discovered Normandy. with
/ Its peaceful homesteads, its fruits and
flowers and old world Inhabitants. so
that Jeanne found an easy way to
make living by letting the lower and
better part OF her house.
This neccSsitated being satisfied with
the top floor for themselves, an ar
rangement which was the subject of
endless complaint from her lord and
master
But there came a day when bis dis
content became open mutiny. he
wouldn't stand it any longer. Con-
found the dodgers, What right had
they to live i'm a garnet when they
could have the best room in the
house?
some such arrangement would have
suited our bold warrior. There he would
have posed in all the glory Of an i'm
maculate white waistcoat (Jeanne's
handiwork). a gorgeous necktie and el-
eSant stockings He was never sat,S-
he'd Men who dislike honest work
never are
That night Jeanne went to bed thor.
oughly disguised with her lot in partic-
uiar and the world generally.
In the middle OF the night she awoke
with tickling sensation in her throat
She smelled the smoke and knew the
house must be on fire.
housing Philippe, she rushed out on
the landing. thinking only OF her chill
dren- To her horror she could not open
the door 10 their room. Ii was not
locked. but the house was very old. and
In some mysterious manner the plas-
tered wall had given out and strained
and damned the door
She exerted ell her puny strength IN
burst il open. but without avail. She
called their names. but with the sleep
OF healthy and happy childhood thew
slept on regardless OF danger.
Shrieking In frenzy. Philippe. for
Iods sake come quicklyr' she rushed
pack TO her own room just in time To
see the braggart dragon basely de-
sertlng her at this moment of her need
he had already mounted a chair and
with shaking hands, was unfastenine
the easement so as to make his escsne
on TO the roof.
Almost speechless with his Gallons
indifference, the poor little woman
pauseu Tor an instant. then rushed over
ana pulled the chair from under him.
The collapse was instantaneous.
Down he fell with a crash and Law
giarlng In paroxysm OF fear at the
fragile creature who had so efectuaIlv
stopped his cowardly flight. She saw
in his eyes the madness Of absolute
FEAR and would fain have LET him 90
out in the room beyond lay her two
precious darlings- He must save them.
bis great strength could shatter thar
door 10 splinters.
quick as thought Jeanne darted
across the room and took from the Ia
ole by the side OF the bed a revolver
Whlch lie had boasungly provided for
burglars should any dare TO cross hts
threshold Oh. he was a brave mani
Very WELL" she said calmly. though !
ner heart was faint at her children's
peril lt a soldier OF France can for
get MS honor and basely desert his post
III time or danger. his wife shall
show him how to die.
Unless you try to save the children
we viii die together. and may Jesus
have mercy on US"
This man had faced the fansttcai
hordes OF Algiers and fought gauantIv
IN Madagascar and the far east. At anv
rate. he had never shown the white
FEATHER Desertion or cowardjce In the |
French army meant death. And VET ar |
the very smell of fire his senses far
sock him.
Nothing could have calmed him
sWlIter than the sight OF the shining
revolver with its barrels pointed stead |
lily AT him. Only week before he had |
put fresh cartridges into those Ave har-
reis. and either one would finish his
career.
This fear of death is a wonderful,
sensation He had ceased to shake ana
was lost in admiration of the woman
VINO could. like his old captain. cali
MIN to Attention. in such a drastic
fashion.
ne recovered his nerve and, without
word. strobe across the passage.
mere was a sound OF smashing wood.
ana IN few moments ne reappeared
WIN chiid under each arm and,
strange to say. the light of a new ten
derneSs in his eyes and a smile on his
race, for at last he had acquitted him
self like a man.
AS he went toward the window he
looked wistrully at his wife. Womb
sne forgive him? Had he wiped ont
MS dishonor? oh. how great is wom-
ans love! He was still her hero. bonn
past and all! She had forgiven him.
fOI L..