The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1914-02-27

armchair, only to hear the muhied
thunder OF the guns In the dark.
A few moments later a clock In the
hallway struck nine times. Al the
same instant a deadened cannon-shot
echoed the clamor OF the clock, II
was the last shot OF the battle. And
when the dull reverberatlons had died
away Alsace was a lost province. Mac
Mahons army was in full retreat.
leaving on the three battle-helds OF
Worth, Reichshoffen, and Froschwei-
Ter sixteen thousand dead, wounded,
and missing soldiers OF France.
About seven o'clock that morning
gaunt, leatherfaced Prussian officer.
immaculate In his somber uniform, en-
tered the room without knocking.
Monsieur. | have the honor to hand
you a copy OF regulations. | am the
provost marshal; all complaints should
be brought to me. A list of the inhab-
itants OF Morsbronn will be made to-
day. You will have the goodness to
declare yourself-and you also. mad
anne. There being other buildings bet
ter fitted, no soldiers will be quartered
In this house"
The officer evidently mistook me for
the owner OF the house and not
prisoner. A blanket hid my hussar
trousers and boots; he could only see
my ragged shirt.
And now, madame" he continued,
"as monsieur appears to need the
services OF a physician, | shall send
him a French doctor, brought in this
morning from the Chateau OF la
Trappe."
He turned his grim, inhexible face
to the Countess and bowed, then no
bowed to me. swung squarely on his
heel, and walked to the door
admit the French doctor" he said
to the soldier on guard, and marched
out. his curved saber banging behind
his spurred heels
ut must be DR.. Delmont!" said,
looking at the Countess as there came
a low knock at the door.
She rose unsteadily from her chair;
somebody entered the room behind
me and 4 turned, calling out, "Wel-
come, doctor!"
Thank you" replied the calm voice
OF John Buckhurst at my elbow.
The Countess shrank aside as Buck
hurst coolly passed before her. turned
his slim back to the embers Of the
fire. and fixed his eyes on me-those
pale, slow eyes, passionless as death.
my friend" he observed in Eng
lish, do you think you will know me
again when you have finished your
scrutiny"
The Countess, face averted, passed
behind my chair
Wait" said Buckhurst; and turn
ing directly to me, he added, you |
were mistaken for a hussar at La
Trappe; you were mistaken here for
a hussar as long as the squad holding |
this house remained in Morsbronn. A |
few moments ago the provost mistook |
you for a civilian" He looked across |
At the Countess, who already stood |
with her hand on the door-knob.
"If you disturb me-" he said, Il have
only to tell the provost the truth.
Members of Imperial Police caught
without proper uniform inside German
ines are shot, seance tenante."
The Countess stood perfectly still a
then came straight to me.
Madame" said Buckhurst, in his
soft and persuasive voice,
I am not here to betray this gentle
nan; l am not here even to Justify
myself. l came here to make repara-
ion, to ask your forgiveness, madame,
or the wrong l have done you, and
o deliver myself, II necessary, into
he hands OF the proper French au-
horities in expiation of my misguided
eal."
"I do not exactly understand" said
"how you can expiate crime here"
81 can at least make retribution," he
aid, turning the paper box over and
yer between his fiat fingers.
Have you brought NE the diamonds
which belong to the state?" I inquired,
unused.
es, he SAID, ana 10 my aStonlsn-
1ent he drew a small leather pouch
rom his pocket and laid it on my
knees. How many
iamonds were there?" he asked.
"One hundred and three" l replied.
and opened the leather
ouch. Inside was bag of chamois-
kin. This stretched wide and emp
ed.
Scores of little balls of tissue-paper
oiled out on the blanket over my
nees; l opened one; 1t contained a
l opened another, another,
nd another; diamonds lay blazing on I
ly blanket, whole handful, glitter S
lg in undimmed splendor.
citing some of It back, however. and
} that end she Instructed the little