The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1914-02-13

hallway struck nine times. AT the
same instant deadened cannon-shot
echoed the clamor of the clock. 1t
was the last shot of the battle. And
when the dull reYerberations had died
away Alsace was lost province. Mac
Mahon's army was in full retreat,
leaving on the three battle-fields OF
Worth, Reichshoffen, and Froschwef-
Ter sixteen thousand dead, wounded.
and missing soldiers of France.
About seven o'clock that morning
gaunt, leather-faced Prussian officer,
immaculate in his somber uniform, en-
tered the room without knocking.
Monsieur, l 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 yoursef-and you also, mad
anne There being other buildings betS
ter fitted, no soldiers viii be quartered
in this house
The officer evidently inistook 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,
las 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, infexible face
to the Countess and bowed, then he
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.
''It, must be DR.. Deimont!" | said.
looking at the Countess as there came
low knock at the door.
She rose unsteadily from her chair;
somebody entered the room behind
me and I tEzned, calling out, Wei
come, doctoc!"
Thank you" replied the calm voice
of John Rzlckhurst ar my elbow.
The Cl1ntess shrank aside as Buck
hurst csolly 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.
"Sdy friend" he observed in Eng
iiEh, edo 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 hussar at La
Trappe; you were mistaken here for
G hussar as long as the squad holding
this house remained IN Morsbronn. A
few moments ago the provost 1nistook
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
lines are shot, seance tenante."
The Countess stood perfectly still
moment, then came straight to me.
Madame" said Buckhurst, in his
peculiarly soft and persuasive voice,
az am not here TO betray this gentle
man; l am not here even to justify
myself. | came here to make repara-
ton, TO ask your forgiveness. madame.
for the wrong | have done you, and
to deliver myself II necessary, into
the hands of the proper French au-
thorities in expiation OF my misguided
zeal"
II do not exactly understand" said
I, how you can expiate a crime here.
81 can at least make retribution," he
said, turning the paper box over and
over between his fiat fingers
Have you brought me the diamonds
which belong to the state?" | inquired,
amused.
Yes" he said, and to my astonish-
ment he drew small leather pouch
from his pocket and laid it on my
bIanket-covered knees. How many
diamonds were there?" he asked.
"One hundred and three" ! replied.
incredulously. and opened the leather
pouch Inside was a bag of chamois
skin. This / stretched wide and emp
| tied
Scores of little balls or tissue paper
rolEad out on the blanket over my
knees: [ opened ore; it contained a
diamond; | opened another. another
and another; diamonds lay blazing on
/ ny blanket, a whole handful glitter
! ing in undimmed splendor