The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1915-07-08

1 ing to me- Il wish to rest for Q little
while before I 60 to Point Paradise
Am curiously tired Of poverty. Mon
sieur Scarlett." she added. and held
out her shabby gloves with . gesture
Of despair: Il am reduced to very
little-I have scarcely anything left
|. and am weak enough to long
for the scent Of the winter violsts on
the Boulevard"
n vas late IN the afternoon when
the last Prussian outpost hailed -. !
had been asleep for hours. bot was
awakened BY the clatter Of horses. and
I opened my eyes to see . dossn Uh-
lans come cantering up and surround
our carriage. One of the troopers tied
a white handkerchief to his lance-tip.
wheeled his wiry horse. and. followed
BY . trumpeter. trotted OF ahead of
Us.
Presently, very far away % the
grayEreen hillside. saw . bit Of
white move. One minute. two. three.
ten passed. Then. distant galloping
sounded along the road, nearer, near
er: three horsemen suddenly wheeled
into view ahead-French Dragons, ad-
vancing At solid gallop. The Uhlan
with the nag spurred forward 70 meet
them. saluted. wheeled his hofse and
came back.
And now the brief ceremony was
over and our rusty vehicle moved OF
down the hill. while the Uhlans turned
bride and clattered OF. scattering
showers Of muddy gravel In tie rising
wind.
doxed towards sunset, waking
when the Countess stepped back into
the carriage and seated herself BY
my side. Then. after . little. I slept
again. And 1t was nearly dark when
was awakened by the startling whistle
Of . locomotive. In the dark southern
sky . luminous hAse hung.
"The lights Of strasbourR," vhis-
pered the Countess, - I sat up, rub
bing my hot eyes.
looked for Buckharst; his place
was empty.
"Mr. Buckhurst left u 1t the rail.
road crossing" she said.
LEFT us!"
"Yes! He boarded Q train loaded
with wounded. He had ousi
ness to transact in Colmar before he
presented himself to the authorities
In Paris. And We are to 70 BY
way Of Avricourt"
So Buckhurst had already begun to
execute his programme. But the ab.
rupt. internal precision ef the man
Jared me unpleasantly.
In the dark felt cautiously for my
diamonds; they wsre safe in my hip
pockst
Presently our carriage stopped b.
fore . tremendous mass Of masonry
pierced by an iron. archsd gate.
through which double files Of farm
wagons were rolling. escorted by Gus
toms guards and marines. and we en-
tered strasbourg in the midst of Q
crush of vehicles. The Countess and
our Alsatian driver helped me to the
platform. looked around with dread
at the throng, being too weak to battle
for . foothold; but the brave Alsatian
elbowed path for me. and the Count.
ess warded on the plunging human
cattle. and at length l found myself
beside the cars where line-soldiera
stood guard at every ten PAGES and
gendarmes stalked about. showing the
frantic people into double files.
| I caught the sleeve OF a captain oi
eendarmerie who was running to enter
4 first-class compartment.
"Eh-what do you want monsieur
he snapped in surprise.
TRY to make room for this lady in
your compartment" l eabd.
Willingly, monsieur. Hasten. mad
anne; the train is already moving!'
and he tore open the compartment
door and swung ths Countess to the
car platform.
suppose she thought l was to tol
low. for when the officer slammed the
&C apartment door she stepped to tht
window and tried to open 1t.
Quick" she cried to the guard, who
had Just locked the door: help tha
officer in! He Is wounded-can't 20,
see he is wounded:"
The train was gliding along the ~
phalt platform: hobbled beside tn,
locked compartment, where she stoot
at the window.
The cars were rolling . little faste
than l could move along.
"A safe journey. madame" STAN
mered, catching at the hand she hel,
out and brushing the shabby glove,
fingers with my lips.
Il shall never forgive this wanto,
self-sacriice." she said. unsteadily
Then the car rolled silently past n
ewiftsr. swifter. and her white nne'
faded from my sight.
The station-master passed, q has
gard gentleman in rumpled uniform
and gilt cap; and n he left the ONO,
by the outer door the heavy explosion
Of . rampant cannon shook the station
Can you get me to Paris!" l asked