The Holly chieftain., 1902-06-27
Just Before the Explosiou

Just Before the Explosion.
1t was the British surgeon, Sir Noel.
At sight Of this man Paul felt
wave Of relief sweep over him.
OF course the sudden and unan-
nounced arrival of Sir Noel upon the
scene gave the major still another set
back.
1t 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 mad been with Marshal MaeMahon
before the latter's state of health COM
PEELED him to relinquish the command
to a successor.
What business had this Englishman
here anyhow-no one had invited him,
and 1t was none of his affair that the
military authorities Of the French
stronghold on the Moselle chose to
make an arrest.
Was Sir Noel alone?
Paul could not hear the expected
swish of garments such as might be-
tray the coming of those who repre-
not to be wondered at in the least,
since the German guns kept up pret-
ty constant growing away of beyond
the forts, and the explosion of shells
grew more and more frequent in the
streets. occasioning considerable ex-
Itement among the crowds.
At the same time some intuitive
sense told him she was coming. this
girl in. whom his whole soul was
wrapped mp. 81
Hildegarde did not understand fully
what message the white-faced 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 bluff, oblig-
ing Englishman to come to the rescue
without delay.
When she saw him start forth per-
haps sine feared. poor girl, that the
man she loved had been manned by
ono of the exploding bombs and lay
upon the street with shattered limbs,
his life passing away.
Indeed. at such time It was easy
enotgh to imagine anything in the
way of horrors.
Unable to Withstand the eager desire
70 be Of some assistance to Paul in
his hour Of need, she had started after
them.
Nothing had as yet occurred to
change her ideas as to what had hap
pened. &
So that when she reached the open
doorway and glancing 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
ly enough. especially when she saw
the bellicose attitude OF the major.
Sir Noel had partly lost his breath
in his dash from the hospital and the
succeeding hasty climb OF flight of
stairs. Doubtless he managed to gather
enough breath to address the major
and ask what 1t all meant, and the
! igentlemanly character Of his request
again touched the major in his weak
spot, politeness
He begged to assure monaieur that
he was only present in the discharge
of his duty. having received infprma-
ton Of the most positive kind that
the etage was shelter for a nest Of
German spies. who had long been send
ing Information - to the weakness
OF the brave defenders Of Metz in the
limo 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 hear
ing?"
/. The major vast furtive glance at
the One Who Must Be obeyed, and the
quick signal which the countess made
gave him his clue. s
Certainly. monsieur. In the morn
ing. II 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 clause