Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1889-09-20

Almost before any one could recover
from the surprise of their appearance they
had gone-vanished along the high road
leading inland.
The day passed away, and nothing what
ever of any importance occurred. Early
the next morning Father Andre appeared
at the chateau and asked for his young
mistress.
Blanche came down to him at once and
found him waiting in the salon. She
found that the servants had already IN
formed him of what had taken place.
"You have had a narrow escape, my
child" he said. But, couragei Our
brave fellows are about and we shall soon
exterminate these Vipers! 1t is dangerous,
however, for you to remain here at the
chateau, which is so solitary. Come down
with me to the village and remain under
my protection.
But Blanche positively refused to go
away.
and I should not be happy in any other
place"
"But the Uhlans-the Internal Uhlans!"
pleaded the little priest. you do not
know them; they are without mercy-they
are fercer than wild beasts. Up there at
GravelOtte they have fired farm. They
have hanged the innkeeper of Omer at his
own door, because, brave fellow, he fired
at them from his bedroom window"
Il am not afraid, answered Blanche.
After all, what the strange officer said
may be true; they do not make war on
women and children"
Il tell YOU, Mademoiselle Blanche, they
are hends of darkness!" cried Father An
Dire; for that matter, they do not even re-
spect the holy precincts of the church. At
Rouen they are bivOuacked in the Cathe-
dral! Oh, that the sacred walls would fall
in and crush them, the accused! the
abominable!"
n
Andre presently took his leave.
About midday sounds of heavy firing
were heard from the far distance, but
later, as Blanche sat at the window Of the
drawing-rOOm, looking out on the waning
woods, she saw a body of TiHemen in the
French uniform approaching up the ave
nue.. They halted and formed into groups
under the terrace, and presently old HUI
bert showed In two gentlemen-One
young officer whom Blanche had never
seen before; the other a middle-aged
man, also in uniform, whom she recOg-
nized as DR.. Huet, a surgeon in the
French army, and an old friend of her
fathers.
They saluted her respectfully, and in
formed her that they had passed that way
on the lookout for skirmishers of the enc
my, who we're reported as having been
seen in the neighboring woods.
They are daring rascals," observed the
Doctor, especially those Uhlans. Hubert
tells me, mademOiselle, that you yourself
had an adventure with them the other
evening"
Blanche repeated her story, to the great
establishment of her hearers.
And they did not otherwise modest
you?" exclaimed the young officer. @Ah,
mademOiselle, you were fortunate. They
are not usually so cOnsiderate."
AT any rate, said the Doctor, you
need be under no further apprehension /;
our fellows will be at hand for your pro
lection. But tell me, what news OF the
good Chevalier? When did you last hear
from him, mademOiselle?"
at is nearly three weeks ago." said
Blanche, trembling, and turning her head
to hide her tears.
Doubtless his letters have miscarried;
it is so difficult now to conduct CORE
spondence. Had any misfortune befallen
him you would doubtless have heard.
You think so, monsieur" cried
Blanche, eagerly.
The gentlemen rose and took their de-
parture Blanche stood at the window
watching the soldiers; while the young
officer, full of juvenile Importance, stepped
out to join them, and gave the word of
command. They wheeled round formed
and went away at a trOt into the woods.
"Ahal" cried old Hubert, who had en-
tered unpreceived, and stood looking over
her shoulder. You see our brave lads
are ready, mademoiseue. They are going
to scour the country; they are going to
search every hole and corner where the
foxes may be hiding; and there viii be no
quarter-none! 1t viii teach the coWardly
rascals to stop at homei"
Chuckling savagely, and rubbing his
palms together he shufded from the room.
Toward afternoon the sharp crack OF
rifles was heard from the direction of the
village. 1t was very struggling, and sOon
ceased. About an hour later it began
again, coming this time much nearer, till
it filled the woods Immediately surround
ing the house Then Blanche heard, be-
sides the sound of firing, the loud voices
of men, and, peering out, saw figures com
ing and going, guns in hand, among the
distant trees.
Presently she saw one of the farm Ia
borers running bareheaded toward the cha
teau, the door Of which opened to receive
him.
A minute afterward Hubert ran into the
room.
Victory, mademoiselle!" he cried. @Ou
brave fellows have surprised body Of the
enemy's cavalry and peppered them from
the woods. They have had their bellyful
/ warrant you'll Many of them are done
for, and the rest are scampering away
he added, nervOusly. For heavens sake
come away from the window"
Scarcely needing what he said, Blanche
continued to gaze steadily at the group o.
men in the distance. She saw that it wal
composed partly of soldiers in uniform
partly of peasants in blouses; but some o.
the latter carried arms like the soldiers.
Presently there was movement amons
them, and three or four began walking Il
the direction OF the chateau; and as thes