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

BLANCHE.
It was some minutes before Blanche
could realize the full signifcag &c of ner
fathers words; and even when she dld so
she did not weep and wall III the manner
of historical damsels Her father had
not misc 81 i'm tel her character; she pos
Sc ,sed both courage and self ontrol Yet
it would have been seen hal the SUI
lirht been shining Upon her, that the life
blood had fled from her checks, leaving
them white and cold as III rble, AMI That
in her ewes there was a liked express ion of
horror aud pain. Trembling violently, she
clulg 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, an |
| have only you? Promise me you VIII
stay-promise, and | know YOU will keep
your word.
MY word is already given, repl ell the
Chevalier, gently; and 1t pledges me to
accept service i'll the defense of my coun-
try. My darling, | have hesltated a long
time in my great love aud care for yol; but
the events of the last few days have de-
cided me, and if l am now delayed should
feel myself little better than d miserIb e
coward.
mo one would think you that" eI-
claimed Blanche. All the world knows
that YOU are brave.
blanche, my darling, do not unmau ne.
YOU know now which way my duty lies.
Suffer me TO fulfill it; you mustl 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"
Then | will try to bear it will try to
Justify your faith i'll me. And In a little
while you will come back to me, will you
not?"
Yes, 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 10
feel the shadow of an eternal separation.
But with strong effort the noble girl con-
quered her agony Eefore it could conquer
her, and sought with all her power TO
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 ha
come to her from tho 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 adj
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 sobbe1 upon his
/ breast. Then taking from her bosom q
/ small gold medallion attached to a slen-
| der golden chain, she placed it in his hands
| saying:
Father, seel 1t contains my mothers
| portrait and mine. You will wear it, will
| you not? Perhaps-God knows!-it will
| be a charm to keep you safe, to bring you
/ back to me. oh, father, father" she
/ added wildly, what shall L do when you
| are gone away?'
He drew her softly to him, smoothing
! her hair with bis hands and lookinglin into
her eyes.
Blanche, my child, he said do not lei
u; be selfish in our sorrow; do not let uf
shared by thousands upon thousands, not
only here in France, but yonder II Ger
many, beyond the Rhine"
All, my father, you are good Even IL
your great sorrow you feel for others more
than for yourself. But oil the world know
even Father Andre has said it Ia the
pulpit-our enemies are monsters without
pity and without love.
Nay, Blanche" he answered, gently
they are only unfortunate men like our
selves, speaking a different tongue bu
capable of the same holy affections. They
are not to blame, but the evil rulers who
| urge them on. 1t is with sad heart, ny
child, that | draw the sword against any
fellow creature; but the peril OF France il
my justification, and whatever blow
strike will be a blow OF self defense"
ITO BE CONTINUED.