Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1906-06-02
n bundle Of clothes.

by her maid bearing n bundle or clothes.
| took my dear one In my arms, covering
her lovely race with kisses. Then We
hurried To the carriage.
But though love will always find a way,
as runs the old song, the cherub Is some
times baked. Before we could enter Oul
carriage we observed bright lights In the
windows OF the chateau, and heard shouts
and the sound OF wheels In the stable
yard. 1t was evident that the uncle had
somehow learned OF the elopement Aimee
was terrified. She informed me that her
two cousins had but the day before re-
turned from the army, and were loud In
their abuse of the German officer who had
won her affections. Her life had been
burden since my visit.
We applied the whip, Fleischmann driv-
ing, with me at his side, while Aimee and
the maid sat behind. The road was smooth
and for some miles we pushed on without
sign OF pursuit The night had been dark,
but now the heavy clouds broke away, and
we went on through the brilliant moon
light.
1t was nearing dawn when I heard the
sound of hoof-beats behind us, and later the
shouts of our pursuers, urging their horses.
Our team was no match for theirs. / saw
that we must face the music and have IL
out on the road. Fleischmann had his own
plans, however. AS the pursuing team
drew closer he gave me the lines. ~ will
attend to the garlc-eaters he said quietly.
may need your help; but be ready 10 drive
on without me when give the word.
The dashing team passed us and stopped.
Three men leaped from the carriage.
Aimee's uncle, whom l recognized by his
height, grasped the brides OF our horses
while the two cousins ran toward us.
As they came up Flelschmann stepped to
the ground. Smash. Smash! / hea
terrific impact of his great fists I'm their
faces. They went down In heap. One
was stunned; the other scrambled to his
feet and rushed wildly at Fleischmann
with an oath, while the tall uncle. per,
ceiving need of his assistance, advanced
brandishing a huge sword; He was beside
Murderers!'' he snarled.
At the time 1t was tragic; now, as
recall the incident, / laugh. Fleischmann
was so cool, so resourceful, so mighty:
mani with both hands, lifted him high I'm
the air, and brought him down with ter
rible force upon the uncle's head. There
was a shrek of pain, heavy groan, and
they went down together In the dust,
''Drive on" roared Fleischmann,, and |
minute later l heard the steady beat of
hoofs behind us, and Fleischmann appeared,
smiling good naturally and mounted on
one OF the carriage horses. He had cut the
thus effectually stopping the pursuit.
Aimee had nearly tainted with fright;
but under the care of her maid she soon
regained her composure, and we drove
on leisurely without fear Of further In
terruptiOn Shortly after dawn we stopped
at small town, breakfasted, and after con
sultation decided to leave the team and
take the train for Paris.
At the station another surprise awaited
us. AS the train from the south rolled in,
n dignfed and handsomely uniformed
French officer came from one of the wait
ing rooms. Aimee rushed toward him with
n cry OF delight. 1t was her father, the
Count Lagunay, whom we had not seen