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

nh ! :as,s ! 'sa:ss'se,ll Chapel Of Our
lfggH Lady. in the little
Ia village of Etretat,
tth " FfiA iH situated some ten
or twelve English miles from the seaport
town of Hayre in Normandy.
There was scanty congregation, con
sisting for the most part of peasant
women, who during the religious ceremo-
MES, whispered much among thems elves
and otherwise paid unusually little atten-
tion TO the ministTations of Father Andre,
the cure. The service over, all seemed
greatly relieved and pressed rapidly out
into the open air to find the churchyard
thronged with eager groups of villagers
who were eagerly discussing news just
communicated by telegraph from the seat
OF war
The Chevauer and his daughter were
almost the last to leave. As they fingered
IN the porch they were joined by Father
Andre, who saluted them with friendly
respect
Seen thus race 10 ace pue Unevaler and
the little priest offered a striking contrast,
for the former was a tall, powerfully
built man of forty-tive, with erect, mill
tary carriage and face still preserving
much of the freshness of youth: while the
latter short, plump and rotund, was well
on in tine sixties, with a head that drooC6d
between his shoulders and hair frosted
over with silver rime.
Bad news, Chevalleri" cried Father
Andre, noddiug nervously at the groups
in the churchyard. You have heard of
cOuse?"
Yes, Father, was the reply; the Ger
mans are rapidly advancing and we are
soon to taste the horrors of defeat in grim
earnest"
As he spoke he glanced somewhat visit
fully at the fair face of the girl, looking
eagerly and wonderinglv into his-a spirit
ualized and softened reflection of his own
face, without the lines left 10y time or
sorrow.
Grim earnest, rs you say" cried the
little priest, with a pugnacious toss of the
head. But let them look TO it -l let them
take care; they may go a step too far, these
Germans. Our bayonets will dig their
graves, though they were twenty times as
many
The Cheyalier sighed as he responded:
After all, they are but paying an old
debt. We overran their country as they
are overrunning ours"
But it is different it is widely differ
ent. The great Naroleon-'
Slowed de-olation and misery far and
vide, interrupt tho Chevalier.
lie WAS great sod er, a miraculous
soldier.7
a great soldier, granted but a little
man, Father. We are 1eaping now what
he sowed before we were born!'
Father Andre, TerspIing violently, ut
tered an angry exclamation; then, conquer
ing his exc temcnt, he forced n smile and
added
All. but know-eyery one knows-you
are a man of peace, From the first YOU
have said we were in the wrong. Will il
may be possible; but our folly if it were
folly, Wis eXplatel ly the foolish En-
peror Mt Sedan. Now ii Il, another affair
The country is in dancer, Chevalier. All
true men are hockinJ to the STANDARD of
our beloved France. | swe II to Won that
if | were few years yOuuger and did
not wear this black coat. would lie fight
ing at the front myself,
Once more the Chevalier glanced ten
derby at his daughter, and his countenance
grew troubled with some inner pain.
VIII YOU dine with MS to night. Father
ANDRE he asked. Il have something
very particular to say TO YOU.
Many than&s, Cheyalier; | viii come
l must crave mademo Selle's pardon q
thousand times if l have frightened hel
with my warlike talk.
L am not frightened, answered
Blanche, with Geutit SIN lie; only | WAS
thinking how terub. Is war, Why can
rot men love one another, and remain al
peace
Quitting the churchyard. the Chevalier
and his daughter took path which lie,
by circultous route up to the summit OF
the a-clIfs.
On the very admmit of the cliff. to the
right OF Etretat looking seaward. stand,
the tiny chapel of Notre Dame de In Gardt
tDur Lady of Safety the door Of which Is
open day and night and the altar of which
Is hung with all sorts of rude votive offer
iug~, made by the fishermen and those who
live there. Hither father and daughter
bent their footsteps. and presently enter
ing the little chapel, stood for a few min
Etes IN meditat on.
Over the altar hung n rude picture, rep.
Teseuting shpwrecked sano's on raft
while above them. through IA opening IL
the cloud. appeared a miraculous vision oil
our Lady LeIsllt Only one other person
WAS in the buildinG-a very cid woman
kneehUg before the picture, praying voIu.
Llv and telling her beads Presently she
rose 10 her feet and hobbled to the door
still muttering to herself. She paused on
the cliff and looked down nj the calm sea
moving her head painfully from side t.
$ de-
The Chevalier and his daughter APP.
preached her.
Good day. mother" said the former
We're YOU offering up q prayer for some
one out yOnder on the sea-"
The old woman looked at him from heat
to soot, then at the fair girl at his side.
My son Is not q fisherman" she an.
swered: "he Is a soldier
Well. it Is the same thing There ar,
perils on the land as we'll as on the ocean
and Just now worse perils. Where is you
son at PRESENT."
At the front" was the reply. The
good God only knows if he lives still.
She added sayagely: The accursed Ger
mans, l have heard that out there IL
Lorraine where the Prussians came, ouI
folks poisoned the spring wells It was
well done-well donei"
Nay. mother; it was wickedly done, il
done at ALL" cried Blanche, Indignantly
But III never believe it of our brave
countrymenl'
The old woman looked at her balefully
It is oil very we'll" she returned, fol
fine folks like you TO talk like that. lou
eristosrsts lock on Wills We peer feiks sss