The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1914-02-06

mons; the young officer stepped to the
loop-hole and looked out. then hastily
removed his helmet and thrust his
blond head through the smoky aper-
ture. March those prisoners in be-
low!" he shouted down.
A moment later came a trample of
feet on the landing outside, the door
wac flung open, and three prisoners
were brutally pushed into the room
tried to turn and look at them:
they stood in the dusk near the bed.
but could only make out that one
was Turco, his jacket in rags, his
canvas breeches covered with mud
Again the lieutenant came to the
loop-hole and glanced out, then shook
his head, motioning the soldiers back.
1T is too high and the arc Of fire
too limited" he said. shortly. Detail
four men to hold the stairs, ten men
and sergeant in the room below, and
you'd better take your prisoners down
there. Bayonet that Turco tiger if
he shows his teeth again. march,"
AS the prisoners filed out turned
once more and thought / recognized
Salah Ben Ahmed in the disheveled
Turco, but could not be certain. so
disfgured and tattered the soldier ap-
peared.
Under the windows the fiat, high
pitched drums. began to rattle; deep
voices shouted; the whole street I'M
dulated with masses of gray-and- black
uniforms, moving forward through the
smoke A superb regimental band be-
gan to play; the troops broke out into
heavy cheering.
..vorwarts! vorwarts!" came the
steady commands.
THE invasion has begun" said.
Her face was expressionless. save
for the brightness of her eyes.
Suddenly company of pioneers ar
rived on the double-quick, halted, fell
out, and began to break down the,
locked doors of the houses on either
side of the street. At the same time
Prussian infantry came hurrying past,
dragging behind them dozens of vehi-
cles, long hay-wagons, gardeners
carts. heavy wheelbarrows, even a
dingy private carriage, with furnished
lamps, rocking crafty on rusty springs.
The soldiers wheeled these wagons
into a double line. forming complete
chain across the street, where the Tur-
cos had commenced to dig their ditch
and breastworks-a barricade high
enough to check charge, and cum
ningly arranged, too. for the wooden
abatis could not be seen from the
eastern end of the street. where
charge of French infantry or cavalry
must enter Morsbronn if it entered
at all.
Something is going to happen"
said. as group of smartly uniformed
officers appeared on the roof of the
opposite house and hastily scrambled
to the ridgepole.
A colonel of infantry, splendidly
mounted. drew bride under our loop
hole and looked up at the officers on
the roof across the way.
Attention, you up there!" he shout
ed. rs it infantry?"
Mol" bawled an officer, followed
hand to his cheek. Its their brigade
Of heavy cavalry coming like an earth
quakei"
'The cuirassiersl" cried, electrk
fed. ITS Michel's cuirassiers, mad
dame! And-oh, the barricade!" L
groaned. twisting my fingers in help
less rage. They'll be caught in a
trap; they'll die like flies in that
street.
She sprang to her feet. stood
moment, then stepped swiftly forward
into the angle of the tower.
Look there!" she cried. in terror.
Push my chair-quick!" said.
She dragged 1t forward.
tTo BE CoNTINUED)