Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-11

A sudden flashing of lanterns, sudden
explosion of laughter, neither very wise
nor very kindly. brought the girl to her.
self. Rough hands seized her. She cried
out. and the first words she spoke were a
confession of weakness.
'Maurice-Maurice!' she said involun-
tarily. And then at the mere sound Of her
voice she started to recall the gay bright
ness of the Brabant corn and herself stand
ing elbow deep in it. with the young soldier
blushing beneath her, his hands parting the
yellow broom. ~
"a pretty maid. en- Joseph? BY my
faith, yeS! cried one rough-looking soldier
with great bandoliers across his breast.
Tell me that you do not believe in the
grotto of the fairies after this. Why, we
could not be better off if we were farmers
general. The marechal himself, with his
madame la marechale, will sleep no more
comfortably than we! Besides which we
Will not give the wench marching leave
quite 80 often"
NAY, old scrubby goatr' cried another.
"See, the little thing Is a-cold! Do you not
understand? You are a brute to stand
there cloaked to the gray mustache and
never offer her an inch Of shelter. She
shall come. not an inch to you, but to the
kindest of the company, Here. my pretty
be comfortable in Aye, many pretty
lass, many a dainty hath snuggled down
there. and liked very well that same old
Bradenburg redingote! Come. my prettyI
So!'
II tell you. nor' cried another holding
up his lantern to ower-o'-the-Corn's pref
ty, frightened face (for now she had fallen
among the wolves indeed). Neither one Of
you has the least claim. Fen let the maid
choose for herself outrank you both. for
the matter of that, for carry the colors!
You have nothing but great old gray mus
taches, an odor OF rum and much talk Of
what you have done in your YOUTH
"As II that had any weight with a young
fn ha fha GRO n yy,fa - of
you! For shame to fright a child so with
your rough talk! Come hither to me, my
dear, and you and I will talk apart,
promise you none OF them shall harm you.
lions to answer. either-such as How came
You at night out upon the wild CAUSES
near a Camisard haunt Of rebels and trail
tors? l can save you from all that Why
else should I be trusted with the banner by
my officer but that 1t should cover a bosom
as innocent as thine.
Stand out in the way. Victor Cayet,"
cried still another abruptly, shouldering
the speaker; his lantern and his folded ban
ner out Of the way. II tell you here comes
la Marechale herself! And vt Is as much
as our heads are worth to have any rough
jesting in her presence"
Tut! AS to that she is but the Mare
chale of the campaign, warrant you-a
Camisard marechale think you our noble
de Montrevel would saddle himself"
Hush, lads. here she comes!'
"Wretches assassins. will have all Of
you hanged by the provost marshal" cried
richly dressed lady. riding upon a white
horse with liberal use OF whip and spur
"Ah. dear lady" cried one, in humble,
whining tone that Is by no means how
you would treat poor sons OF the church.
Do We not know your ladyship. every one?''
AYE, verify" cried the lady. land SO well
does the lady know you that she could
wager the last Louis-d'or in her pouch that
a lad ror
to the poor girl there whom you hold your
prisoner. Stand away-I would speak to
herr
Your ladyship will allow that she is our
prtsoner-of-war, and stands at her peril
amongst US till sum is paid In ransom To
us poor ment"
II will see that the money Is paid!
know you. Joseph, and also that the Mare
chal hath never gotten any good Of you or
the like Of your
Indeed my lady. speak not for nv
self" said the man. but as Cornely here.
the standard carrier. well remarks, what
Is the wench doing so near to noted rebel
haunt-alone and on foot?'"
IF 1t comes to that, what am I do
ing?" said the other boldly. "Have you
anything to reflect upon me?"
The men pushed each other with the
elbow-and at last Corneiy spoke up. His
first act was to disavow Joseph
This man Joseph hath done nothing but
speak to our hurt" he began. Inquire of
the girl herself, l pray you. Have we
done her any harm? Or have /, who
hath chiefly spoken with her. offered any
thing but kindness? She will remember
me, because I held my lantern close to
my face so that she might know me
again.
''Oh have done with the eternity of your
clackp' cried the lady. who had dismount-
ed by this time. while you talk the girl
will freeze to death 1t is a cold night
to die in. even with your chances of the
everlasting bonfirei Here Cornely since
you are SO prodigal with your favors, lend
me your cloak. I know you have another
at Millau. know. for I have seen you
swaGgertng with 1t a-Sundays!''