Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1889-09-06
CHAPTER II.
BLANCHE


It was some minutes before Blanche
could realize the full significance of her
fathers words; and even when she did so
she did not weep and wall In the manner
of hysterical damsels. Her father had
not misestimated her character; she pos
sessed both courage and self-cOntrOl. Yet
it would have been seen, had the sun
light been shining upon her, that the life
blood had fed from her cheeks, leaving
them white and cold as marble, and that
in her eyes there was q liked expression Of
horror and pain. Trembling violently, she
chung to her father, as if she already felt
the iron hand which was about to snatch
him from her.
Father, you will not go! France has
thousands upon thousands of soldiers, and
I have only you? Promise me you will
stay-prOmise, and I know you will keep
your word. p"
My word is already given, replied the
Chevalier, gently; and it pledges me to
accept service in the defense of my cOun-
try. My darling, 1 have hesitated long
time in my great love and care for you; but
the events of the last few days have de-
cided me, and if I am now delayed should
feel myself little better than a miserable
coward.
@No one would think you thatl" ex-
| claimed Blanche. All the world knows
that you are brave.
Blanche, my darling, do not unman me.
| You know now which way my duty lies.
/ Suffer me to fulfill it; you must! you Will"
! 1T is so sudden, SO terrible, she replied.
/ And We were so happy here together.
| Oh, father, must you gO?"
/ You know must"
I @Then I will try to bear i'll will try to
! Justify your faith in me. And In a little
/ while you viii come back to me, viii you
nOt?"
Eyes, dear, God willing"
/ AS he spoke he clasped her in his arms,
and kissed her tenderly again and again.
Both we're strongly moved; both seemed to
! feel the shadow of an eternal separation.
! But with a strong effort the noble girl con-
| quered her agony before it could conquer
/ her, and sought with all her power tc
! tighten the burden of her fathers sorrow.
/ The next morning when they met she
| was calm and resigned, though very pale.
! She had spent the greater part of the
/ night in prayer, and sacred strength had
! come to her from the divine source of all
| our smiles and tears. Her father looked
| at her in wonder; for he knew the depth of
| her devotion to him and realized fully
the supreme effort she was making for his
sake.
Two days later came letters from the ad-
ministratiOn accepting his VOluntry SER
vices and bidding him to repair at once to
headquarters.
Quietly, almost calmly, Blanche saw to
the preparations for his departure; but on
the last night before the separation the
| anguish became too much for her and she
fairly broke down and sObbed upon his
breast. Then taking from her bosom a
| small gold medallion attached to a slen-
der golden chain, she placedit in his hands,
| saying:
Father, seei It contains my mother's
portrait and mine. You will wear It, viii
| you not? Perhaps-GOd knowsl-it will
be a charm to keep you safes to bring you
back to me. oh, father, father!" she
added wildly, what shall I do when you
are gone aWay2"
He drew her softly to him, smoothing
her hair with bis hands and looking iintO
her eyes.
Blanche, my child, he said, do not Let
Us be selfish in our sorrow; do net let us
forget that ours is a common misery,
/ shared by thousands upon thousands. not
only here in France, but yonder IN Ger
many, beyond the Rhine"
All, my father, you are good. Even In
your great sOrrOw you feel for others more
than for yourself. But ali the world knows
even Father Andre has said It in the
pulpit-Our enemies are monsters, without
pity and without love.
"EGy, Blanche, he answered, gently,
they ara only unfortunate men like our
selves, speaking a different tongue, but
capable of the same holy affections. They
are not TO blame, but the evil rulers who
urge them On. 1t is with q sad heart, my
child, that draw the sword against any
fellow creature; but the peril Of France Is
my justification, and whatever blow
strike viii be blow Of self-deIeRse.
ITO BE Continued