Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1889-10-04
'TTiZtLife and Death
UNDER MEDICAL ADVICE.
a Story of the Franco
Prussian War.
BY ROBERT BUCHANAN.
CHAPTER X.
HARTMANN ENoRoACHEs.


father was beginning to cause her very
grave anxiety. True, he had warned her
that this might occur; and he had begged
of her not to be troubled by useless fears
If at any time all communication between
them should cease. Nevertheless, try as
she would, she could not keep of the
horrible fears which oppressed her, and
which deepened day by day.
At the chateau there was nothing now
to interest her, for even her patient had
passed out Of her hands. Blessed with
good constitution, he had rapidly gained
strength, and, according to the gossip of
the servants, it was more the bright eyes
of Blanche de GayroIles than his manned
arm which kept him at the chateau.
But at last, as he stood at his window
watching the slim figure of the young girl
as she moved up and down the terrace,
the truth came to him with startling vivid
ness. 1t was a terrible discovery, and in
those first few moments brought him al
most as much pain as pleasure. Never
theless, the truth must be acknowledged
and in acknowledging it, he knew that
Blanche de GarvOlles was likely to be-
come more to him than his country or his
life.
What was to be done? Should he repay
good with vil-acknowledge her sweet
charity and gentle goodness byremaining,
trying to make her love him, and so bring
upon her all the horror and misery which
such q love must cause? Whereas, if
he left her now, he could do so, he be-
lieved, without causing her one single
pang.
And yet how could he go? He was a
prisoner. True, he was not strictly guard
ed, for he had given his word. Must he
break his parole, quietly effect his escape,
and leave behind him a tainted name for
Blanche to think of? No; he could not
DO that. He owed her much, but he
lacked the courage to make so great
sacrifice.
IF must not win her love, at least let
me be worthy of her esteem" he said.
AS we'll have a bullet through my heart
as look of reprOach from her eyes; for,
strong man as I am, it would kill me.
Hurriedly descending he made his way
to the terrace, but it was empty. He in
quired for Blanche, and found that she
had left the chateau, and had taken the
path which led to the top of the cliffs.
Quickly following the path he glanced
on every hand for Blanche; but she was
nowhere to be seen. After searching
around the woods in every direction ne
was about to return, thinking she might
even then be in one of the rooms at the
chateau, when suddenly he glanced toward
the open door of the little Chapel Of Our
Lady and saw Blanche quietly issuing
from the porch.
As she had not noticed him he drew
back; for she was closely followed by and
seemed in deep cOnyersatiO with an elder
ly woman. They passed close by Hart
mann; but although he could not be seen
by them he heard every word of their con-
VersatiOn.
The hag-no other, indeed, than she
who was praying before the altar when,
only few weeks before, Blanche entered
the chapel by her fathers side-was talk
ing rapidly, kissing her words into the
young girls ear.
You do we'll to pray for your father, d"
she said; you, who even now are tending
one of his enemies. What would he say
if he knew that while he was fighting down
the accursed Germans like wheat his
daughter was gently tending one that he
might 60 forth again and join our fOes?"
Uttering a cry, Blanche covered her
ears with her hands, as if to shut out the
sound of the old woman's voice; but the
bag, nothing daunted, and, perhaps, even
pleased at the effect of her words, would
have continued, but at that moment the
Uhlan came forward.
Fixing his eyes fercely upon the old
woman, he babe her depart; then he
turned courteouslyto Blanche.
"Fraulein, he said, may I have the
honor of conducting you back to the cha
teau; or, if you wish to Gnger abroad
may I hnger with you? 1t is not safe for
you to wander abroad alone; and though
am your cOuntrys enemy may be able
to protect you"
Before replying, Blanche glanced timid-
~ around.
Hartmann, noticing her look, said:
Your tormentor has gone, you see.
have marked her face we'll, that I may
never accept even drink of water at her
hands. An, fraulein. your countrywomen
are not like you, more's the pity; were it
otherwise there would be no more war.
She has cause for bitterness, said
Blanche, gently; she has lost two sons.
And you, fraulein, returned the sol
der tenderIy, might have lost a fatheri"
crirl q an VaH ia To h
Has my father then fallen, monsieur"
she said, in a voice of such suppressed
agony that it rent the soldiers heart.
I trust not, fraulein; but he is at the
seat of war.
"Ahl yes; he is at the war; but pray
to God night and day to send him safely
back to me.
And pray that your prayer may be
granted. Your father is very dear to you,
is he not?"
He is ali have in the world.
For a time the two walked on in silence;
then they paused, with their faces turned
toward the sea, and the soldier spoke
again:
You have never experienced great
sorrow, fraulein?" he said.
Never, until my father left me to 90 to
the war, monsieur. We have always lived
together at the chateau, and led a very
peaceful life, until the war began, and he
was taken from me.
And then you were left alone? You
have heard from him, of COurse?"
AT first, almost daily; but for several
weeks now I have not heard one word.
And latterly, she said, Il have had terri
bic dreams.
She paused, glanced hesitatingly at
MIN; then, treasured by the look on his
face, she continued:
aFor several nights now 7 had dreamed
that my father was with me-not here al
the chateau, but on some lonely plain
and each time We have been together he
has placed his hand on my head and muir