"That is the officers' coupé." ing prisoners, whom we have to take back to Berlin." "And when will the train arrive, by which we go on ?" The station-master shrugged his shoulders. "That I cannot possibly say." "Get out, ladies and gentlemen, get out!" shouted the guard, and the stationmaster politely helped the singer out of her carriage, telling her she would probably have to wait a couple of hours for her train. The station was filled with soldiers, telegraphists, vivandières, and all sorts of camp-following, so Madame Lucca sat down on her boxes and tried to console herself and while away the time by eating some biscuits, when sooner than could have been hoped for, a porter called out: "There comes the train from Berlin." The bell rang, and in steamed the train, drawing an immense number of carriages. To jump up and run towards a carriage was only the work of a moment, and, leaving Editha to guard the luggage, Madame Lucca cried hurriedly: "Where is the guard? I must speak to him!" "I am the guard-how can I serve you, madame?" "I have two first-class tickets for myself and maid. We had to get out here to wait for this train will you kindly get us places." 66 Madame, I am excessively sorry," said the guard, shrugging his shoulders, "but I cannot help you. The whole train is filled with horses, soldiers, guns, provisions, and forage, in addition to which, as you see, all the soldiers waiting here have to be packed in somehow, so there will not be a spare corner for a mouse." "But, sir, I must go on," cried Madame Lucca pathetically. "We dare not admit any civilians in this train," answered the guard, politely but decidedly. Besides, I have not a moment to spare - this train must start He gave the signal, the engine-driver whistled, when Madame Lucca, rushing What, my husband's comrades? They will not mind being somewhat crowded, if I ask them." Saying which she quickly went to the open carriage window. "Gentlemen, have you any room for two stranded ladies?" she asked. "We will make ourselves as small as we can." "What! our Lucca! our Pauline!" they cried with one voice. "Yes it is I, the unfortunate one whom they want to leave behind!" she exclaimed with comic pathos, quickly recovering her good spirits. "We are already ten in this coupé!" said a young lieutenant, "but for you we will gladly make room. I will sit on Von S- -'s knee." "And I will take Von F-on my knee and make room for your maid," cried a second. No sooner said than done. Madame Lucca and her maid stepped in, box and hamper were shoved between the feet of the good-natured officers, and the train started off again on its journey. Hours passed with scarcely a pause in the merry chatter in the coupé. Suddenly the train slackened speed. "Are we already at Frankfort?" asked Pauline, who was beginning to get impatient. "No, madame, we are still many miles from there," answered a captain; “most likely we only wait here a few minutes." But this was not to be. The train had not stopped at a station, but in the midst of fields with only a signalman's box in view. The captain put his head out of the window, and asked the guard, who was hurrying past, if anything had gone amiss with the train. "No," was the answer, "the signalman stopped us, and the colonel found a despatch telling him to wait here for the hospital train from Saarbrücken which would bring him fresh orders." "A pleasant prospect," sighed an ensign, jumping out of the carriage and after the guard, cried: "ass you will quickly followed by his companions, who have some respect for this pass.' The man glanced hurriedly at the paper and, having read it, bowed respectfully, saying: "Oh, Frau Lieutenant von Rhaden! you want to join your wounded husband? That quite alters the case! We must try and do what we can — though how or where to find room for two ladies is more than I can tell." "Who is in that carriage?" she asked, pointing to a first-class compartment. helped the ladies to alight. "We have had nothing to eat since early morning. Oh, a kingdom for a horse! or rather cow, provided it was ready roasted.” "Gentlemen," cried Madame Lucca merrily, "I also can make a sacrifice for Germany's good. In half an hour you shall have something warm to drink." "Something to drink, here!" they all exclaimed. 1 "Yes, here," she replied laughing, "coffee, real Mocha! two pounds of which I fortunately have in my travelling-bag. Here, Editha, go and ask the signalman for the largest cooking utensil he has, fill it with water there is the well close by - and bring it to me on the grass yonder. But now about the fire—I am afraid, gentlemen, I must ask you to supply the wood." "The whole battalion to cut wood," shouted the captain laughingly, and in a few minutes the broken pieces of an old garden-seat were placed at the feet of the Kaffee-Köchin, "for Germany's good." Editha now returned, carrying a tripod and a well-polished brass kettle filled with water. The ensign produced a bundle of love-letters, which he put under the pieces of the old bench, and soon merry flames sparkled and rose round the kettle, which was eagerly watched by the group of offi "Now, cups, cups, gentlemen!" exclaimed the kind-hearted fairy; but the signalman only possessed two of these articles de luxe, which were at once set aside for the use of the ladies, while the rest brought glasses, jars, leather and horn drinking-cups, all of which were filled by Madame Lucca by means of a punch ladle. The coffee was still very hot, and was placed on the grass to cool, when, like General von Ziethen out of the wood, up rushed the hospital train, with a shrill whistle. The major in charge jumped out of his carriage, and following the fragrant aroma of the steaming Mocha, approached Madame Lucca with the petition that she would kindly spare some for his wounded, who had had nothing for eight hours. "I am afraid, then, gentlemen, I must ask you to forego your own enjoyment," she said, turning to her comrades, and the words were scarcely out of her mouth before each officer was beside the train carrying the most welcome refreshment to the wounded. "I thank you in the name of all my sick charges," continued the major, "but would beg your special care for a severely wounded comrade in carriage 245. He is a one year's volunteer, the only son of wealthy parents, and engaged to a rich banker's daughter. Poor fellow, he is sadly in need of refreshment." Madame Lucca, cup in hand, hastened to the carriage indicated, where in a hammock lay a young man, very pale and exhausted, carefully covered up to his chin. "I have brought you some coffee," said Madame Lucca in her sonorous voice. The sick man opened his eyes, but did not stir. "Can I raise you up?" she continued, gently placing her hand under his head. "No, no! where is my servant?" he cried anxiously. "There is no servant here, dear sir, so pray allow me to help you as a sister of charity, and I will try not to hurt you," urged Madame Lucca. The sick man faintly shook his head, and again looked anxiously round, as if seeking some one. "Your major has just informed me," she continued, "that you are very severely wounded; but he also told me that you are a fortunate bridegroom,* so I hope it will not be very long ere you will be well enough to embrace your fair bride." Tears started into the young man's eyes, and with a convulsive sob he cried, "Oh! I have lost both my arms!" Frau Lucca was deeply touched at these words, and it was with difficulty she kept back her own tears. "Poor, poor fellow!" she cried, "you have indeed offered a heavy sacrifice to your fatherland;" and her kind compassion so completely won his confidence, that he gladly allowed her to raise his head and moisten his parched lips with some coffee. As she afterwards learned from the major, he had had both arms shot away at the shoulders by a shell. The rest of her journey was continued without any further interruption, and it was late in the evening when the train reached Saarbrücken, where Madame Lucca and her maid got out; the officers bade a friendly farewell to their "Comrade Frau von Rhaden," and with many good wishes for a speedy meeting with her husband, they hastened away in search of their respective quarters. Turning to a porter, Madame Lucca asked him where she could get a night's lodging. The term bridegroom is always applied to an engaged man in Germany. "A night's lodging! repeated he, looking at her in surprise; "there is no chance of a lodging anywhere in Saarbrücken. The whole place is crammed with soldiers." "And I am so tired!" exclaimed Madame Lucca. "Don't you know of any place where we could rest for the night? No matter how small or poor, I would reward you well." The porter shoved his cap on one side, scratched his head, thought for a moment, and then said, Well, let us go to him." "No, no; there are already twelve men there, and the church is filled with prisoners ! The only place that, oddly enough, is not yet filled up is - he hesitated. "Well is what?" she demanded. "The engine-house- there I could arrange you a good bed of clean straw or hay, if you think it is respectable enough." Respectable enough? and why not?" "Because, madame, in peace time we often shut tramps up there." "Oh yes," answered the porter. "I can get plenty of blankets from the officers, if I say they are required for ladies." "Here is a louis d'or for you, mon ami. Hurry away at once, lest this last refuge be taken from us for military purposes.' With grateful thanks the man hastened away, followed by the ladies. "Hi, look here, Fröhlens!" called out another porter, "here is a box and a hamper. Do they belong to you?" "Please to carry these things to the engine-house," said Editha with great dignity, as she followed her mistress to their improvised lodging. "The engine-house?" muttered the man. "Surely it is not anything contraband? The box is light enough—but the ham per! Der Tausend! that is heavy." But, nevertheless, he did as he was told. The porter proved a man of his word. Quickly spreading some fresh clean straw in the small dark space, he went away, and in less than a quarter of an hour returned, laden with soft, warm blankets, out of which a couch, not at all to be despised, was soon arranged. "There, ladies!" said their impromptu attendant, rubbing his hands together, well pleased. "Now I will fetch you a lantern, for which the colonel has given me a wax candle, begging me at the same time to tell you how sorry he was not to be able to offer the ladies a better night's lodging, especially Madame Lucca." "Why, how did he know my name? cried she, very much surprised. 66 Well, when I went to ask him for the blankets for some ladies, a lieutenant stepped up to him, mentioned your name, and told him how you had made coffee for the wounded out in the open field. Then the colonel exclaimed: Bravely done! As I cannot do more for her confort, I will at least station a guard outside the engine-house, so that she may rest undisturbed during the night.' So now, ladies, sleep well, and may you have pleasant dreams." "One moment, my friend," cried Madame Lucca. "Is there no means of locking the door of this place? No, madame, for the last tramp who was shut up here, wrenched off the lock and ran away. For this reason you are to have a guard, so you may rest in peace,' saying which the man took his departure. "Editha," whispered her mistress when they were alone, "we must not both go to sleep at once. I will watch till midnight, and then you must relieve me, for, as you have heard, the door cannot be fastened, and the night is no man's friend." "I know a remedy, Frau Baronin!"" cried Editha joyfully. "I will shove the hamper before the door and put our box on the top. That will at any rate make a little barricade. See! there it is done!" "A poor defence against a serious attack," smiled the prima donna. Soon the two travellers were comfortably wrapped in the warm blankets on their extemporized bed. Just as Morpheus closed their eyes, however, a loud knocking was heard at the door. "Gracious Heaven, have pity on us! we are lost, we are lost!" cried the maid, making one spring to the door and seating herself on the boxes to increase the resistance. "Who is there?" she continued, feeling thus reassured. "It is only me, Lieutenant von L——, your travelling companion," was the an swer. "I have just come to tell you that you may sleep in peace, as I have placed a guard before the engine-house, by the colonel's orders." Feeling secure by the knowledge that they were guarded, mistress and maid again lay down and, thoroughly tired out, did not wake till four in the morning; when suddenly drums began to beat, bu gles to sound, words of command were 1. shouted out-warlike noises were heard | have got as far as Saarbrücken, but here all round: something extraordinary must the story has come to an end." be going on in Saarbrücken. The barricade was quickly removed and Madame Lucca stepped out, just as Lieutenant von L― came spurring up on his fiery chestnut, reporting hurriedly: "There is an alarm, madame, the French won't wait any longer-they want another beating! Everything has gone on, and I have been left behind to report to you. Au revoir ! but stop I had very nearly forgotten to tell you that your husband is in the hospital at Pont-à-Mousson." "And how far is that from here?" "About ten miles;* but, pardon me, I am called away, The knight must forth to his doughty deeds.' Adieu!" and off he galloped like a bullet out of a chassepot rifle. "What do you mean?" asked the grand duke, laughing. "Well, you see, I am stopped here for want of a conveyance to go further. I therefore beg and entreat of your Highness to help me." "That, dear lady, is I fear impossible, with the best will in the world,” answered he pityingly; "for at this moment there is nothing at hand but the baggage-wagon which follows us with the servants." "Your Highness," said the prima donna quickly, "your servants seem to have good strong legs, could not a couple of them go on foot to Pont-à-Mousson, and then there would be room for me and my maid?" 66 'Certainly," answered the grand duke good-humoredly, "but I could not think The aspect of Saarbrücken was indeed of offering Frau Lucca a seat in a bag. desolate when the troops had left. See-gage-wagon." ing an old man coming along, Madame Lucca asked: "My good man, is there no carriage here I could get?" "Not even a wheel!" grumbled the old man, without pausing. "One question more," she begged. "Is any of our army still here?" Only the Grand Duke of Oldenburg; there he comes up the street with his staff. Bon jour," and off he went. "Quick, Éditha! this is our last hope," cried Madame Lucca, and both ladies making a bold front stepped out into the street. The grand duke rode slowly along in earnest conversation with one of his officers, the rest of his staff following. "Good-morning, your Highness," said the prima donna in a loud voice. The grand duke, surprised, pulled up his horse and, looking down at her, said: "Can I be mistaken? no, surely it is Frau Lucca our prima donna! Many a time have I had the great pleasure of hearing you at the opera." "Your Highness, I am delighted that you graciously remember my insignificance. In Berlin I am introduced to dukes at court; here, however, I must do it myself in the open street. I have the honor, etc. Pauline Lucca." "Delighted, I am sure,” exclaimed the duke, touching his cap; "but what brings you here in the midst of this terrible war?" "I have come to fetch my husband, who lies wounded at Pont-à-Mousson. I A German mile is four English miles. "Serene Highness," exclaimed Madame Lucca, "bad driving is better than good walking. If that is your only ob jection to the baggage-wagon, please order down three men, so that I, my maid and baggage, may mount." The grand duke laughingly complied, shook her heartily by the hand, excused himself that he could not do more for her, and rode off. Madame Lucca and her maid got up, and the wagon slowly rumbled off to Pont-à-Mousson. It was late the following day when they at last reached the town, having passed thirty-six hours in the wagon, sleeping in it and narrowly escaping several dangers that we have not room to relate. But where to find the sick man? The whole of Pont à Mousson was converted into a huge hospital, and nearly every house had the Geneva flag. Frau Lucca went indefatigably from one to the other, till at last she got the information: “Lieutenant von Rhaden severely wounded. First floor room No. 9." This confirmation of her fears seemed to take away her courage: "Severely wounded," cried she, scarcely above her breath. "We hope to pull him through yet," said the doctor reassuringly; “pray, madame, do not lose heart; all will go well, I hope." "Do you think it will hurt him if he sees me suddenly at his bedside?" asked the anxious wife. "I am half afraid of it," answered the doctor. "Both while delirious, and when waking he has called out your name in cessantly. Follow me up the stairs, but only after I have prepared him can I allow you to go into his room.' She waited a few minutes in the corridor the doctor opened the door and whispered "He sleeps; please come in very gently." She stepped in, her looks anxiously searching for her beloved husband; but what a picture met her eyes! In a small, close room stood a bed, to judge by its length only intended for a child, on which lay a tall, manly figure of at least six feet, the legs hanging over the end, the head and face bandaged, leaving nothing visible but a nose and mouth, fearfully swelled, and the color of lead. "Is that my husband?" Frau Lucca asked in a broken voice. "Hush, he sleeps," warned the doctor. Impossible, his eyes are wide open," she returned. "Only the left one; the sinews of that eye were torn by a shot, so that he cannot shut it or move the eyelid. His left ear is deaf; and the left side of his mouth, indeed the whole side of his face, is powerless." "And will he always remain so?" asked his wife anxiously. The doctor shrugged his shoulders. "We must hope for the best," he said. "Ah, impossible," murmured the sick man; "I would as soon fancy an angel from heaven coming here to me." " Madame Lucca could contain herself no longer. "Adolph, I am here! she cried in a voice choked with tears, falling on her knees beside him. We will not further describe this scene; suffice it that the doctor, by means of persuasions and threats, brought Madame Lucca to her former composure, telling her of what real use she could be. "And cannot my husband take anything?" she inquired, having received her instructions. "I brought a hamper of compressed vegetables and soups, "with an involuntary sigh at the meagre fare. "Coffee, coffee! I only want coffee," stammered the patient. "Oh, I am a professed cook in that!" she cried, quite recovering her gaiety. "In a very short time you shall have as good a cup of Mocha as you ever drank in your life." The doctor ordered a coffee-pot to be brought, and in a quarter of an hour the fragrant beverage was steaming in the cups. The patient, as Madame Lucca afterwards related with great satisfaction, had no less than five cups of this coffee, she herself feeding him. Her next care was to secure better rooms and softer beds. The doctor assured her there was only one house in Pont-à-Mousson that was not fully occupied by soldiers, and this belonged to a French official, who had hitherto resolutely barred out every one. This put Madame Lucca on her mettle. "What," she cried, "shall a French "Pauline?" murmured the patient al-man be better lodged than my sick husmost inarticulately. 66 Pray, madame, go behind the head of the bed," said the doctor quickly. "Your husband is about to awake, and your unexpected appearance here might do him harm." The patient moved again, and the doctor came and felt his pulse. "You have had a good sleep, baron; feel any easier? do you "A little," he whispered. "I had such a pleasant dream.” "Of your wife?-you called out her name." band? I will see what my pass from Count Eulenberg will do," and putting on her hat and gloves, she added: “Adolph, you shall soon be in better quarters. I am going to try the effect of some good sound German on the Frenchman." So saying she left the room and was soon at the Frenchman's door. After repeated ringing it was at last partly opened by a thin, tall man in a figured dressing-gown and tasseled nightcap. "Mein Herr," she began in German, "I want two rooms and, if possible, three beds! Ah, I see you don't understand |