The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1914-04-17

GERS about his Highness saw that
some one had blundered. Someone in
the van a man had lost his head, had
forgotten, and the compact inelastic
procession had been led toward the
approach from the Faubourg Pierre,
the narrow lane at the side toward
the city. 1t was a serious mistake,
yet not of necessity fatal, and at all
events they must make the best of it.
The Prince could not make dramatic
entrance at the head of shouting
regiment, but for all that he might win
the forty-sixth.
He did win the forty-siXth. Some
thing had happened to the officer sent
to arouse them-another slip in the
chain-and instead of being drawn up
in the yard they were getting ready
for Sunday inspection, but they flock
ed to the windows at the noise, they
rushed into the yard at the name Of
Napoleon. An old sergeant Of the
Imperial Guard ran forward and kiss
ed Prince Louis hand, and the re-
served face lightened-he knew the
value Of a bit of sentiment with
Frenchmen; he was not wrong; in a
moment the line regiment had caught
up the cries of "Vive l'Empereur!
raised by the artillerymen, and the
earlier scene of the Austerlitz bar
racks was being repeated here. Prince
Louis, pale and composed in the CEN
ter of the roar of voices, the seeth-
ing sea of excitement, heard word
at his ear and turned.
"Sire, it is success. go to bring up
your Majesty's other regiment" Fran
co.'s said, and the Prince answered
quietly:
Eyes, it is success Go, mon ami"
In moment the messenger had
thrown himself on the horse Of an ar
tilleryman and forced way through
the recoiling mass, down the lane,
and out to the Faubourg Pierre. In
the free street he galloped the horse.
through the windings that he had
learned with this moment in his mind.
The third was drawn up waiting, and
shout like clap of thunder greeted
his news. Buoyant, proud, he took
his place by the colonel at their head.
and gaily the joyful march back be-
gan. The sun had come from behind
the clouds of early morning and shone
gloriously on glancing steel, on the
brilliant swinging line Of the regi-
ment. Low branches Of trees brushed
Francois shoulder as he rode and the
touch thrilled him, for he knew by 1t
that this was true and not dream,
and he, Francois Beaupre, was lead
ing a regiment of France to frances
Emperor.
Suddenly a man galloped from a
side street, In front of the advancing
troops; he stopped, saluted, called
word. It was not day to take any
thing for granted; Colonel Couard
halted the regiment.
"The arsenal" the man gasped.
"They have taken Monsieur de Per-
signy prisoner. Monsieur lie General
voirol is on his way, but he is dis
tant. 1t is a step from here. The
third artillery could arrive there be-
fore him-they would surrender
Monsieur de Persigny would be re-
leased"-he stopped breathless.
The colonel turned an inquiring look
on Francois. AS the Princes mes
senger, as the man whom he had seen
closest to the Princes person. he de-
ferred to him. and Francois realized
that he must make. and make quickly,
a momentous decision. The arsenal
was immense and lightly guarded. lie
Persigny had been sent with small
force to take it. for the ammunition
It held might at any moment be of
supreme Importance. 1t seemed that
the detachment which guarded 1t had
been moderated. for 1t had made pris-
oners of De Persigny and his men.
and this aide-de-camp had alone es-