Middletown transcript., 1914-01-31
CHAPTER XXI.
The Secret.

The news of the collapse of the
army of the East found our wretched-
ly clothed and half-starved hussars
still patroling the environs of Brest
from Belair to the Pont Tournant, and
from the banks of the Elorn clear
around the ramparts to Lannion bay.
For three months our troopers scarce
ly left their saddles, except to be ta-
ken to the hospital in Recouvrance.
Suddenly the nightmare ended with
telegram. Paris had surrendered.
On the first day of March, by papers
from London, we learned that the war
was at an end, and that the prelimi-
nary treaty of Sunday, the 26th. had
been signed at Versailles.
The same mail brought to me an as
tonishing offer from Cairo, to assist
in the reorganization and accept a
commission in the Egyptian military
police. Speed and l, shivering in our
ragged uniforms by the barrack stove,
discussed the matter over loaf of
bread and few sardines, until we fell
asleep in our greasy chairs.
When 1 awoke in the black morning
hours I knew that should go. All the
roaming instinct in me was reused. l,
a nomad, had stayed too long in one
stale place; 1 must be moving on.
Leave Of absence, and permission to
travel pending acceptance of my resig-
nation, asked for and obtained before
the stable trumpets awoke my COM
rade from his heavy slumber by the
barrack stove.
Speed awoke with the trumpets, and
stared at me where I knelt before the
stove in my civilian clothes, strapping
up my little packet.
"Oh," he said, briefly, 'T knew you
were going"
$50 did l." replied. "Will you ride
to Trecourt with me? I have two
weeks permission for you"
We bolted our breakfast of soup and
black bread, and bawled for our horses,
almost crazed with impatience, now
that the moment had come at last.
Far ahead we caught sight of the
smoke of locomotive.
'Landerneau!" gasped Speed. ride
hard hard, Scarlet Scarlet !"
The station master saw US and halt
ed the moving train at frantic signal
from Speed, whose uniform was to be
reckoned with by all station masters,
and ten minutes later we stood sway
ing in cattle car, huddled close to
our horses tc keep warm, while the
locomotive tore eastward, whistling
frantically, and an ocean of black
smoke poured past, swarming with
sparks.
At Quimperle some gendarmes aided
US to disembark our horses, and a sub
officer respectfully offered us hosri-
tality at the barracks across the
square; but we were in our saddles
tie moment our horses hoofs struck
the pavement, galloping for Paradise,
with a sweet, keen wind blowing, hint
ing already of the sea.
AS we dismounted in the court yard
the sun flashed out from the fringes of
a huge, snowy cloud.
There is Jacqueline!" cried Speed,
tossing his bride to me in his excite
ment, and left me planted there until
a servant came from the stable.
Then followed, every nerve quiver-
ing, almost dreading to set foot with
in, lest happiness awake me and l
find myself in the freezing barracks
once more, my brief dream ended.
After a while glimmer of common
sense returned to me. l squared my
shoulders and breathed deeply, then
rose and walked to the window.
A step at the door, and I wheeled,
trembling.
The Countess de Vassart stood in
the doorway, smile trembling on her
lips. In her gray eyes 1 read hope;
and 1 took her hands in mine. She
stood silent with bent head, exquisite
in her silent shyness; and 1 told her
1 loved her, and that 1 asked for her
love; that had found employment in
Egypt, and that it was sufficient to jus
tify my asking her to wed me.
"As for my name" said, you know