The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-03-14
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hrigands, cast from under their fat
tam o shanters of blue flannel chances
of amiable curiosity. They had to a
man hat imminent look of good little
dogs waiting but for a smile TO burst
into friendly barks and wag their tails.
Before each company stood a cap
tain. and before all stood q major-a
middle aged. gray m~ustached. dis
tinguished looking gentleman in dark
blue, with wasplike waist, slender legs
encased in puttees blue beneath the
dust, excellently upholstered chest,
gloves thrust between two buttons. a
sword, a monocle and a cigarette. His
c~ountenance was distinguished with
mat aplomb worn in perfection by
Gallo veterans OF many successfully
wased wars of bullets and billets-doux.
OF this parsonage Mr.. Pengwynne with
a bow calmly inquired:
Monsieur is the commander of tins
splendid force?"
The Major. looking attentively at
Mr.. Pengwynne and at the phalanx
behind him. said:
Monsieur has reason
'''F 81 permit Inf, III tlt name
of Nome Vance. to welcome France.
that dear neighbor, that kind elder
sister, to the soil of this principality.'
The Major was struck rigid by a
sudden thought. He pccred round him
like a person just waking up. he cast
over his shoulder a startled glance
toward the French highway a hun
dred yards away across the border:
he Jared down at the lawn: gingerly
he raised one foot and then the other,
as If the ground were hot.
'Sapristi." he calculated. II was
borne upon him that he had invaded
Monte Vance.
Struggling his shoulders remorse-
fully. he stammered:
"Messieurs. what shall I slb? You
see in me Major Houppe-Houblon-
metre, commanding W companies OF
the 623d Maritimes. on a practice
march from Fort Mont Agel to Fort
de la Revere. The way was long and
dusty, my little fellows tired and hun
CRY. the lovely lawns"
But all the while Mr.. Pengwynne
was drowning out his voice in tones
of oratorical %rotundity:
This sigma honor gives excuse for
the delay; what proper reception could
have been prepared in less time? Not
in another century, perhaps, will such
n chance occur for national hospitality.
Soldiers of France, Monte Vance will
see to il that you remember this So
generous visit. Come, let the flags
bend forward: let cordial bugle an
swer bugle, let the gamecock NJ Gaul
approach in amity and lie down beside
the-er-national bird. or animal, of
Monte Vance"
"But-a thousand pardons. monsieur
my duties
At these ominous words a chill ran
through the army of defence. His
duties Seizure and occupation. pill
lage and destruction. the tricolor way
ing over ruin, All, cruel, polished,
bare faced tyrant! All cast on Mr..
Pengwynne an imploring look He
Gained them with a glance. He am
swered firmly:
Sir, all other duties grow pale and
small beside this larger one-the prof
fer of hospitality by one nation. the
acceptance by another, Tonight the
very stars shall note great doings
hereabouts. Lights, music, wine
A CULVER at that last word ran
through the dusty Gallo ranks,
Mars doffs his brass, and-spcaking
Observation-Disclosures into the lap o,
Venus"
Major Houppe-Houblonniere pricked
up his ears. Gazing round him in The
dusk at the great circle Of interested
amateurs he discern-d here and there
light, shimmering stuffs Cike span
golden tissue) that twinkled in vague
beauty. Perhaps he remembered the
celebatic. Craggy Businesses of Fort
Mont Agel and Fort de la Revere. At
some subtle manner changed; surely
his puttees took IN a romantic curve,
his long mustaches seemed more kill
ing.y curled mp, his cap appeared to
sit on his head more jauntily, no one
could have expanded in n uniform
more d~ebonairly than did he. With
a glance at his wrist watch, tenderly
he said:
Monsieur. gentlemen Of Monte
Vance. | have mot the heart to deny
you or ourselves. On this charmine
occasion let us spare al hour from
business to festivity, But-a thou
sand p~ardons-allow me, Capt, Mesem'
'bryantheme."