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Show THE ESCAPE PRINCESS MARY'S GIFT BOOK 1'2"» Rosalie. as she sprang from her bed and began to get into her clothes. " int how ripping ‘. \Vhat lots we shall all have to write about and to tell them when we get home 5 " Julie Ilcdru faintly. trcmnlously. smiled, and with her own hands she assisted them to make a hasty toilet. Some coffee was ready for them downstairs. for Babette was a methodical person. not easily upset. Thus fortified. they left the Chateau presently. leaving Babette and Jules in charge. Babette made the same excuseisome one must stay to guard the place. and surely when they found nobody but two simple old servants they would pass on. Julie had no time to argue: perhaps even she did not fully realise the peril to which these two faithful souls thus willingly exposed them- selves. She looked back on their serene faces as she passed through the 12-; crated. The hours seemed long down there and the stillness profound. Not a sound from the upper air penetrated to that strange hidingplaee. Though sure of their sanctuary. it seemed natural to lower their voices, to move softly, and even to watch apprehensively. Even the two girls, usually so high-spirited, found themselves naturally becoming quiet. It was only the very little children, of whom there were five, who, unconscious of danger, crowed and laughed and babbled in their usual glee. These little ones provided incessant interest and occupation for the two girls, and Julie Ledru smiled as she watched their pretty efforts to amuse and keep them quiet. She had brought her watch, and it pointed to nine o'clock at the moment when they heard a dull thud several times repeated, which caused them all to start and look at one another in quick alarm. She " It is the guns," said old Monsieur Rollin, whose legs were twisted never saw them again, nor found them. They disappeared in the ruins of La Royat as many had disappeared in other ruins. leaving no trace behind At the church, which was but a few paces off, they found the Cure busy arranging shelter. It was a very tiny village, and the number of those willing to accept the shelter he offered and, indeed, advised was comparatively few. For though a simple they were a brave people. nor could they conceive of a wickedness and barbarity that would seek to destroy innocent souls who had naught to do with war. So they with rheumatism, so that they had half»carried him down the steps of gate, and it was the last time she was to look on them in life. went about their ordinary avocations as usual. a trifle more apprehensivcly perhaps. but none the less bravely, and the morning wore on. The Cure took his charges, about twenty souls in all, down the narrow stairs to the crypt, where he had already provided light and such small comforts as he could spare from his own store. " Isn‘t it ripping. Biddy?" asked Rosalie, but perhaps her young voice had lost a little of its gallant ring. But Biddy. who had the imaginative temperament of her race. shivercd a little. and burst into tears. It was strange and ominous to come in out of the warm, hopeful sunshine to this place of tombs. an adventure with which the child could very well have dispensed. The church was very old, and many who had been born in Coutane had never seen the crypt. Its very existence was unknown to a large number. and the entrance to it was so cunningly arranged, and so difficult of access, that it was of all hiding-places in the village the mOst secure. Then there was always the belief, founded on all precedent of war. that the sacred things would be respected, and sanctuary in God's house ileft undese- the crypt. " They have come, and are starting their fiendish work." No one could gainsay him, and for the next half-hour they had to listen to a repetition of the same sound gradually getting nearer and nearer. Presently their terror was increased by the deafening roar of artillery nmch nearer and the sound of falling masonry, indicating that the church itself, cradle and sanctuary of the life of Contane for centuries. had not been respected. The two English girls. now thoroughly frightened, clung together fearfully, and the whole little company, some of them on their knees. (lid not exchange a word. After a time the firing ceased, and they were left to absolute stillness. But. |