The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1889-07-06

fanny There is one God for the poor and
another for the rich; and tits the poor who
must suffer for all the evil our rulers do"
So saving. and once more subsidlng into
broken mutterin9s, the crone moved feebly
away. Father and daughter turned sadly
and walked slowly along the summit of the
cliffs
Blanche, my child, you heard what the
old woman said? She was right. In these
sad times of war the evil falls only upon the
poor, while the itch are spared. God knows
it is not justi"
She gaEed at him earnestly, as II not
quite gathering his meaning, before she
replied:
But it is not only the poor who are
fighting now for the Fatherland. The
journals are full of the names of those
who are fiocking to take service against
the enemy, and the flower of our old no.
bility is among them. Many have gone
even as common soldiers. All! but they
| are brave"
The Chevalier's face flushed; but the
| flush faded, and the old look of pain re-
| turned.
Come, Blanche!" he said, hurriedly, and
| they walked on.
| After following for about mile the foot
path along the cliffs, they turned inland,
and crossing the plateau of grass and
thyme, came upon open fields, where all
the summer the yellow COLA had been
growing. Presently they approached the
| shadow of fir woods. A modest gate
| opened to narrow avenue winding through
| the trees, and following this avenue for
some distance they came III sight OF the
old chateau which for many generation
| had been the dwelling of the family.
1t was an old-fashioned house, with
grand old porch and terrace facing the
south and surrounded on every side by
woodland and belts of pasture. The garden
/ in front of it was arranged in terraces and
| shady walks, and behind it were several
orchards connected with the home farm,
Seen in the subdued light of that autumnal
| day the place looked somewhat forlorn aud
little neglected; for the Chevaller de
/ Gavr olles, though of old descent, was not
rich man, and foun it necessary for
many reasons TO economize his income.
| One gardener, with occasional assistance
| from Houzel, the forester, had TO keep
| the fower-b beds and parterres III decent
order; one old man servant or butler, IN
addition to the serving maids, had to
superintend matters within the house.
A certain picturesqueness was added to
the chateau by peacock in full plumage,
who was strutting on the terrace and
| spreading his irised tail in the rosy sunset
| light. As they approached, Blanche left
| her fathers side and ran toward the bird,
which greeted her with its harsh discord-
ant cry.
Poor Blanche." he muttered; she is so
happy now!"
He sat down on the terrace and lighted
a cigar. His thoughts were travelling back
| to the day when his beloved wife had
died, leaving him a lonely widower, with
that one child. Since then Blanche had
been the JOY and comfort of his life, and
they had dwelt together In solitude, seeing
| little or no society, and seldom quitting
their country home. A student-almost a
| book-worm-he ha belied all the tradi-
tions of his house by declining at the very
outs ct military career, for which he had
neither taste nor inclination. He had
held commission during his youth and
seen some active service abroad; but when
the empire came he had left the army
married and led the life of quiet country
gentleman.
Father Andre came according to appoint
meut, and the three dined together, waited
on by old Hubert the butler, who was clad
in the faded livery of the family. More
than once during the repast the talk turned
| upon the central topic of public interestj
and the little priest, warmed with wine
had occasion to reterate his belligerent
sentiments, to the huge delight and ap-
prevail of old Hubert, who almost dropped
the dishes in the excitement of his eager
sympathy. At last Blanche left the table,
! Hubert retired and the two gentlemen were
LETT alone over their coffee.
For some minutes they talked on gem
eral matters then, after an uneasy glance
at the closed door, the Chevalier said:
Il wished to speak to You, Father An
Dire, on a subjec. which concerns the hap
piness of my dear daughter.
| All
The priests eyes sparkled, and he pursed
his lips knowingly.
Blanche, as YOU know, is now nearly
eighteen. Should anything happen to me
she would be alo he in the world.
The fact is, Father Andre, that l can
not quite acquit myself of selfshness and
want of patriotism Mt Il moment SO threat
ening to the liberties of my dear country.
| have hesitated for a long time, but now
my mind is made up. | have not drawn
n sword for over twenty years, but last
night [ w1ote TO the administration, offer
! ing my services as an old officer and A
volunteer.
An impulsive bravo was on Father
Andres lips. but he checke him elf, aud
assumed look of extreme concern and
sympathy.
but Mademoiselle Blanche? Does she
know? Have you told hor?"
Tie Chevaller shook MS head.
Unable TO restrain his enthusiasm any
longer, Father Andre reached out his hand
and graspcd thIt of his entertainer.
1t is n noble deter ninatioa! Mademoi
selle Blanche will offer no Obstacles, an
sure.
al do not think she will" returned the
Chevalier, when | b We made my duty
plain to her; for though she is a chi d. she
has rare ccura e. What | have further tc
say concerns her future. During my alb
scnce, and afterward if-If anything
should happen while | am away, she wi
remain here at the chateau"
Certainly"
, Mere Fevereau. the housekseper. is hel
old nu Sc, almost her foster mother: sbe
will fever neglect her charge For he resi-
Oh, old friend, will look in from time tc
time to see that all goes we'll Should she
be low-sPirited and anxious, YOU Will com
foIt her, Will you not? And, should
/, never return"
Tears rose in his eyes; but conquerinl
his emotion, and brushing the moisture
away with his hand, he pro eedeI:
Should never return, You will watch
over her and protect he-. Her worldly
position will be secure-I have attended &c
all that-and she Will remain mistress eff
the chateau"
, Nay nay, cried the priest good -numor-
, eddy. The good God will bring you safely
back to mademoi ellie Iou will kill a few
rascally Germans, and return like here
when the war i done,'
But You promise to do as l have asked
/, you? You accept the commi sion as
sacred trust?'
As a sacred trust, Chevalier
Presently the priest rose TO go, for tn,
evening was well advanced and lie was al
early bird. Before departing be accompa.
MED his host to the drawing -rcom, a large
chamber furnished in the style of Loui,
/ Quatorze, and here they found Blanche all
alone, seated at the harmonium and sing
ing one of the sweet old hymns once Sc
: popular in Normandy They entere
quietly and stood listening, When the
hymn was finished the Chevaier bent oye1
her and kissed her fondly.
, shall tell her tonight, he whispered