Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1905-01-24
CHAPTER xxu


diagnoses of the case while Henri's
sr ON stood by, waiting their decision.
Helene and Adams were both well known
to the chemist, and obtained immediate
admission to the wounded mans pres
ence.
To Adams experienced eye even the
most outward symptoms were at once
conclusive. His deadly pallor, his total
unconsciousness, his cold, clammy skin,
the arms and legs which were bent upon
the body, the slow breathing and the
transient shivering proved that Henri
was suffering from conclusion. In addi-
uon to this, his right leg was severely
injured, his horse having stepped on him,
and it was crushed and splintered below
the knee.
Adams, who was taken by the French
man to be an English colleague, ordered
the patients immediate removal to his
rooms at the Hotel Birandot, where he
occupied the whole of one floor, and
Helene insisted upon herself and Adams
accompanying him thither. When the
doctors demanded absolute quiet for the
wounded man, and forbid all visits,
Helene protested.
He will require nurse" she plead
ed. land l am very good one. l have
rad plenty of experience, and my time
Ia my own. Do let me stayi / will be
80 CAREFUL
For the present, at any rate, my
d4ar," said Adams, "such a thing can
not be. / do not know what can prompt
you to your course of action, but l will
not ask You to explain"
''You need not" rejoined Helene. "You
would not understand my reasons if
gave them to you. But l may come back,
may / notY'
The doctors promised that as soon as
their patient was in state to be seen
by anybody, permission should be grant
ed to her.
Perhaps you will tell me, my dear"
said Adams, as they were driving back
to Helenes mansion, "who is this man in
whom you are taking SO great an inter
est! You say he saved your life. How
was that?
Henry Roberts is Henri Sainton," an
swered Helen. who loved me when he
was boy and / a girl, and whom you
GENT to penal seryitude. He is the Louis
lana soldier of your battalion who saved
me from being murdered by that horri-
bic man outside of the Northern picket
lines"
w nat. CTteu 1ddLuSs 10 you mean
70 tell me that you can bear q kindly
memory for the man who, whatever you
may say, aided that man Quayle in his
attempt upon your lifeY'
Il remember" was Helene's retort,
shat he saved my life at the risk of his
own"
There was no further assault after
that defense. Adams bit his lip, and
when they had arrived at Helenes door,
he left her with a simple Good day,
my dear"
fortnight passed, during which
Helene called twice every day at Henri's
hotel without being allowed to see him
IA fortnight portentous to the fate of
Europe War had been declared against
Germany, and all Paris for the moment
went mad. AS the week wore on, came
the news of disaster and defeat, and the
foreign residents of Paris commenced to
seek safer quarters.
Helene had been untiring in her at
tendance upon Henri all this while. The
injured man had regained consciousness
but the surgeons still forbid all but the
most casual conversation. A few weeks
more passed, during which Henri rallied
slowly, still with Helene as his faithful
nurse and attendant.
Then came the news of the disaster
of Sedan-MacMahon wounded, his army
destroyed or captive, and the Emperor
himself a prisoner. All this was swiftly
followed by the nations vengeance in the
form of the proclamation of the repub-
lie.
Months passed, and Henri was still
unable to rise from his couch. The in
jured leg had been put into shield of
plaster of paris, and motion was forbid
den. In the meantime events around and
about Paris had proceeded with hurri-
cane pace. The enemy had drawn around
the besieged city line of iron and flame,
and the thunders of war crashed and
roared from every hillside around the
city,
All Helene's friends had left, all ex-
cept Walter, faithful Walter, who was
glad to find an excuse for staying in the
acceptance of a temporary post at the
British embassy, so that he might remain
near the woman he loved so much.
Walter, however, took care not to let
Helene know that he was still in Paris.
EIe did not wish to obtrude his presence
upon her. His purpose was to watch
over her, to protect her, If danger threat
ened, not to force his suit upon her when
she seemed TO be SO happy in the society
of another man.
Winter came on apace, and the terrors
of the siege increased, but Helene saw
and felt little of these Being known to
be possessed of immense wealth, the pro-
prietor of the hotel in which she lived
did his best so that she should feel none
of the privations which pressed upon
nearly all the population.
No man can be for any length of time
In the daily society of bee utiful woman
without feeling drawn toward her, and
Henri, who first of all looked upon Hell.
enc merely as a woman who had betray-
ed him, and whom he might treat with
such scant honesty as to his mind she
deserved gradually came to look for Hell
ene's visits as for necessity in his life
Thus il came quite naturally that Hell
ene's love for Henri raised harvest of
affection on the barren, stony soil of the
mans heart. Soon they both got to know
that each knew that the other loved him
or her.
During all those long, weary months,
Walter never once approached Helene.
Every day a messenger from the British
embassy inquired at the two hotels after
Helene and Henri, but the man had strict
OIuerS not 10 mention w after name, ana
Helene thought that Lord Yorley had left
instructions at the embassy that she be
looked after. and that the British repre-
sentatives in Paris did their best TO carry
out Lord Yorley's wishes.
The year 1870 had been terrible enough
for poor, down-trodden France. and its
encompassed capital. but 1871 added TO
the horrors. 1t seemed as if the judg-
ment of an svenging heaven were heavy
upon the frailest of the frail among cities.
Henris recovery continued extremely
slow. The doctors came every day, and
still forbid all exertion.
Thus passed the first month OF the new
year. Then on sudden the storm clouds
parted asunder, and a streak of blue sky
became visible on the political horizon.