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

a 4GDl6 cause w nat care j GQ5
cause? 1 want my son. Had he been q fine
gentleman like him beside you, he would
have stayed safe at home; but he was poor,
as have said, and they took him from me
my Team, my only soni All, it is an in
fanny There Is one God for the poor and
another for the rich; and tbs the poor who
must suffer for all the evil our rulers dol"
So saying, and once more subsiding into
broken mutterings, 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 rich are spared. God knows
it is not just!"
She gazed at him earnestly, as If 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 dOcking 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 CheTalier's face flushed; but the
flush faded, and the old look of pain re-
turned.
Come, BIanche!" 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 in sight of the
old chateau which for many a 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, anu behind it were several
orchards connected with the home farm.
Seen in the subdued light of that autumnal
day the place looked somewhat fOrlorn and
a little neglected; for the Chevalier de
! Gavr Giles, though of old descent, was not
a rich man, and found it necessary for
| many reasons to economic his income.
! One gardener, with occasional assistance
| from Houzel, the forester, had to keep
| the hOwer-beds and parterres in 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 a 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 B1anche!" 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 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 had belied all the tradi-
! tions of his house by declining at the very
| outset military career, for which he had
neither taste nor inclination. He had
held a 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 a quiet country
gentleman.
Father Andre came according to appoint
ment, 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 interest
and the little priest, warmed with wine.
had occasion to reiterate 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
left alone over their coffee.
For some minutes they talked on gen
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 subject which concerns the hap
piness of my dear daughter.
"Ah!"
The priests eyes sparkled, and ne purset
his lips knowingly.
Blanche, as you know, is now nearly
eighteen. Should anything happen to me-
she would be alone in the world.
Tee fact is, Father Andre, that I can
not quite acquit myself of selfshness ani
want of patriotism at d moment SO threat
ening to the liberties of my dear country
L have hesltated for long time, but nov
my mind is made up. I have not draw
a sword for over twenty years, but las
night I wrote to the administration, offer
ing my services as an old officer and {
volunteer.
An impulsive bravo" was on Father
Andres lips, but he checked himself, and
assumed a look Of extreme concern and
sympathy.
But Mademoiselle Blanche? Does sht
knOW2 Have you told her?"
The CheYalier shook his head.
Unable to restrain his enthusiasm an!
longer, Father Andre reached out his hant
and grasped that of his entertainer.
at is a noble determination MademOi
selle Blanche viii offer no obstacles, I an
sure.
Il do not think she will, " returned tn
Chevalier, when I have made my dut,
plain to her; for though she is a child, sh
has rare courage. What have further t,
say concerns her future. During my ab
sence, and afterward, if-f anythin;
should happen while I am away, she vii
remain here at the chateau.
Certainly"
Mere FeVereau, the housekeeper, is he
old nurse, almost her fOster-mother; sh
viii never neglect her charge. For the res