The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1914-02-20

| while before / go to Point Paradise
/ am curi5usly tired of poverty, Mon
sieur Scarlet" she added, and helG
out her shabby gloves with gesture
Of despair; Il am reduced to ver1
1ittle-I have scarcely anything left
/. and am weak enough to Ions
for the scent OF the winter violets OF
the boulevards."
1t was late In the afternoon wher
the last Prussian outpost hailed US.
had been asleep for hours. but was
awakened by the clatter Of horses, and
opened my eyes to see dozen Uh
lans come cantering up. and surround
our carriage. One of the troopers tied
a white handkerchief to his lance-tip
wheeled his wiry horse, and. followed
by trumpeter, trotted OF ahead OF
us.
| Presently, very far away on the
gray-green hillside, saw a bit OF
white move. One minute, two, three
ten passed. Then, distant gallopins
sounded along the road, nearer, near
er; three horsemen suddenly wheeled
into view ahead French dragons, ad
vancing at solid gallop. The Uhlan
with the flag spurred forward to meet
them, saluted, wheeled his horse and
came back
And now the brief ceremony was
over and our rusty vehicle moved of
down the hill, while the Uhlans turned
bride and clattered of, scattering
showers of muddy gravel in the rising
wind.
dozed towards sunset, waking
when the Countess stepped back into
the carriage and seated herself by
my side. Then, after a little, slept
again. And it was nearly dark when ]
was awakened by the startling whistle
sky luminous haze hung.
1.-THE lights of Strasbourg," whis.
pered the Countess, as sat up, rub.
bing my hot eyes
1 looked for Buckhurst; his place
was empty.
MIR. Buckhurst left us at the rail
road crossing" she said.
Left us!"
eyes! He boarded train loaded
with wounded. He had bust
ness to transact in Colmar before he
presented himself to the authorities
in Paris And we are to go by
way of Avricourt."
So Buckhurst had already begun to
execute his programme But the alb
<rn+ ;nFarDo1 v-oo;ciox ~ Aha v,,or,
Jared me unpleasantly.
In the dark felt cautiously for my
diamonds; they were safe in my hip
pocket.
Presently our carriage stopped be-
fore tremendous mass of masonry
pierced by an iron, arched gate.
through winch double files of farm
wagons were rolling, escorted by Gus
toms guards and marines, and we en-
tered Strasbourg in the midst of a
crush Of vehicles. The Countess and
our Alsatian driver helped me to the
platform. looked around with dread
at the throng, being too weak to battle
for foothold; but the brave Alsatian
elbowed path for me, and the Count
ess warded off the plunging human
cattle, and at length found myself
beside the cars where line-soldiers
stood guard at every ten PAGES and
gendarmes stalked about, showing the
frantic people into double files.
/ caught the sleeve of captain of
gendarmerie who was running to enter
a first-class compartment
4
he snapped In surprise.
"Try to make room for this lady in
your compartment" said
Willingly, monsieur. Hasten, mad
anne; the train is already moving!"
and he tore open the compartment
door and swung the Countess to the
car platform
suppose she thought l was to fol-
low, for when the officer slammed the
compartment door she stepped to the
window and tried to open 1t.
"Quicki" she cried to the guard, who
had just locked the door; help that
officer in! He is wounded-can't you
see he is wounded?"
The train was gliding along the as
phalt platform; hobbled beside the
locked compartment. where she stood
at the window.
The cars were rolling a little faster
than could move along.
"A safe journey. madame" STAN
mered, catching at the hand she held
out and brushing the shabby-gloved
fingers with my lips.
Il shall never forgive this wanton
self-sacrifice," she said. unsteady.
Then the car rolled silently past me,
swifter swifter. and her white face
faded from my sight.
The station-master passed, bag
gard gentleman In rumpled uniform
and gilt cap; and as he left the Office
by the outer door the heavy explosion
of rampant cannon shook the station.
Can you get me to Parish" asked.
Quick. then" he muttered: "this
waV-lean on me DOnsfellrt am