The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-09-09
TViiztLife and Death
- ~eRL
GyDER MEDICAL ADVICE
\ Story Of the Franco
Prussian War.
BY ROBERT BUCHANAN.
CHAPTER III.
Az ADyESTIJRE

CHAPTER IlIs
AN ADVENTURE
When It became known that the Cheva-
Her de Gavrolles was about to throw IN his
lot With the defenders of France there
was great local enthusiasm. Father An
Dire, both in public and private, discoursed
sloouently on the glories of patriotism,
md pointed to the lord of the chateau as
= shining example. The immediate result
was seen in the format:o on of large num-
ber of volunteers from the district, many
of them being men who had already served
kheir time, and wers otherwise exempt from
conscription.
The day Of parting arrived, and, fol-
lowed by those whom his example had IN
Bpired, the Cheyaiier left his home. A few
days letter word came that the Norman
recruits, with others from neighbczlng
districts, had been formed into company
Of the Line, Of which Garrolles was con-
stituted Captain.
Courage, my darling, wrote the Chew
nlief to his daughter. We are ordsred to
the front at once" He added in a post
script to his letter: The medallion, with
your mothers picture and yours, lies
Eiways on my heart. Every night before
I lie down 10 rest leoh at the pictures and
bless both the living and the desd May
God have ssa in his keeping and speedily
reunite us!"
Left alone in the chateau, Blanche felt
fhe full solitude of Ter situation. Always
deeply religious, she now spent much of
her time in prayer. Her erpiano was locked
up and never opened, her painting (of
which she hsd been very fond) quite neg
lectea; even books had no attrsction for
her any longer. All her care was to read
the journals, full Of news from the seat
of war, and TO look eagerly for her father s
letters. As time advanced, the position
Of affairs grew more and mors critical.
The French fences were driven back on
every side, and the .eHer-succesGu Ger
mans we're pouring like torrent into the
heart Of France
One morning, as Blanche sat in der bou-
doir, there was 8 knock at the door, and
Hubert entered, the very picture,ef con-
sternation.
News, mademoiselle, horrible news!"
he cried THE Germans are close !Ey!"
Blanche started in amazement.
= 1T is quite true, nademoiselle, con-
finred the old man. Il had it from the
mouth of Msieu DudevanSs the schaol-
1naster, who has seen them with his own
eyes. Oh, that the earth would open AID
swallow them up alive, the eannibalst
They are coming here and we shall sooR
be eaten up alive!'
The news was not without foundation.
A portion of the advanced columns of the
enemy had entered Normandy and taken
possession Of the capital. The whole
district Eas in panic. The widest and
most hidaous stories were in circulation,
and it was asserted on every hand that the
Germans were committing the most inhu-
man crimes.
:. Meantime, Blanche de Gavrolles was
sgonized with anxiety, for nearly fort
might had elapsed and there was neither a
lettor nor message from the Chevalier.
His last letter, hurriedly written on the
scrap of an old envelope, had been sent
from distant town in the North, where
some sharp business had been going on
With the enemy's skirm.. ..shars. 1t lad
contained one passage, which afterwart
formed source o. home and comfort.
u do not know if this viii &c &c -scch
you" the Gheya!iar Urc.. ., .. ,as II It aoss
30 ~" ~. pe alarmed if you do not hear
from me speedily again: Tor it is now e1-
veeIlngly difficult to pass letters boy ma
the lines. Keep up a good heart, my
Blanche, for I think the horrors will soon
be over; it is the beginning Of he end"
Another bomb of alarming intelligence
was presently exploded by old Hubert.
"They are in Rouen, mademoislle!
They have cut the telegraph wires! Lord.
deliver us!"
In these elements of alarm Blanche did
not think Of herself, no- Of the personal
peril which might soon Threaten her; all
her thought and care was for her father.
She prayed for him incessantly. While
all the district was in an uproar, and the
chateau itself like startled rooherv, with
old Hubert wildly holding forth and the
female servants chattering in terror, she
remained outwardly calm, seldom leaving
the privacy Of her own apartments. But
one cold, still afternoon, when the FIRST
autumnal frost was on the ground, she
left the chateau and walked out into the
woods, which looked beautiful III the sere
md yellow leaf Clad in q simple drosS
of black velvet, with al ivory cioSs, her
frtter's cift suspended arun ID her nect,
she Seemed'aim st like reIisieuse. Esr
o " compan on vas IN old Norman deer
hound, chiistenel "Gatol," after her
father.
i'S III Nt3 oFCt 'ao ~ I, 'tht
inland the pro poet wa5 already gro'TinS
dark; ye, she lid not II ,I;e.i hor footsteps.
tIuugh she uos ttrued her fac in tie or
: ciion Of Eome. l;eEo"u size renched tie
y %icke.-sae 10 ling INTO tie lone woods
Che fnll mo IL hid ar Sc, minslmg II
Dright he,ms Nth Tie last faint rays Of
daylight. SAL aul lrl>-ivr. Yet strnck hJ
the uuick beantv OF the srenn. Size lin
Ee.el just Inside tie gate. looilnS SO -
ward.
S d,lcnlJ sho was startled by the sound
o. horses Loofs a III a:,nJst at the SAM
moment she peic.iSe two men on horse
back rapidly arp one ing ac:oss the fields
The moo, hight ,,rnck fa:l uroa them and
Aashe,. ;.ror something like glitterine
steol. Sc knew at once that they were
soldiers, Tor Their spnrs jingle as they
came. AMI zach Of them carried Ions
weap,., nse a spear. quick as thought
she Lew hack among ths bu hes, and
seizing the dog CASTOR by the collar made
Il lie down at her feet.
The men came along Mt trot. while
sick with apprehension. she lay In be!
Kim. place TO watch item pass. Ane
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