The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-09-16


J main street.
Almost before any one could recover
from the surprise of their appearance they
had gone-vanished along the high road
leading inland. ~
The day passed away, and nothing what
ever Of any importance occurred. Early
the next morning Father Andre appeared
at tho chateau and asked for his young
mistress.
Blanche came down to him at once and
found him waiting in the salon, Sne
found that the servants had already III
formed him of what had taken place.
You have had o narrow escape, my
child" be said. But, courage! Our
brave fellows are about, and we shall soon
exterminate these vipers! 1t ls dangerous,
however, for you to remain here ut the
nhatesu, which is so solitary. Come down
With me to the village and remain under
my protection.
But Blanche positively refused to go
sway.
Il am quite safe here, Father Andre,
and I should not be happy in any other
place."
But the Uhlans-the internal Uhlans!"
pleaded the little priest. "You do not
know them; they are without mercy-they
are fiercer than wild beasts. Up there at
have hanged the innkeeper of Omer at his
own door, because, brave fellow, he fred
at them from his bedroom window"
Il am not afraid" answered Blanche.
After all, what the strange officer said
may be true; they do not make war on
women and children"
Il tell you, Mademoiselle Blanche, they
are fiends of darkness!" cried Father An
Dire; "for that matter, they do not even re-
spect the holy precincts of the church. At
Rouen they are bivouacked in the Cathe-
dral! Oh, that the sacred walls would fall
I'm and crush them, the accursed! the
sbominable!"
Finding Blanche determined, Father
Andre presently took his leave.
About midday sounds of heavy firing
we're heard from the far distance, but
later, as Blanche sat at the window of the
drawing-room, looking out on the waning
woods, she saw body of rifemen In the
French uniform approaching up the ave-
nue. They halted and formed into groups
under the terrace, and presently old HUI
bert showed in two gentlemen-oce O
young officer whom Blanche had never
Been before; the other o middle-aged
man, also in uniform, whom she recog-
nized as DR.. Huet, surgeon in the
French army, and an old friend of her
fathers.
They saluted her respectfully, and in
formed her that they had passed that way
On the lookout for skirmishers Of the enc
my, who were reported as having been
seen in the neighboring woods.
They are daring rascals, observed the
Doctor, especially those Uhlans. Hubert
tells me, mademoiselle, that you yourself
had an adventure with them the other
svening."
Blanche repeated her story, to the great
establishment Of her hearers.
And they did not otherwise modest
your" exclaimed the young officer. "Ah,
msdemoiselle. you were fortunate. They
are not usually SO considerate."
AT any rate," said the Doctor, Ayou
: need be under no further apprehension;
our fellows will be at hand for your pro-
good Cbevalier? When did you last heaI
3rom him, mademoiselle?"
1T is nearly three weeks ago." said
Blanche, trembling, and turning her head
to hide her tears.
1t is so difficult now to conduct corro-
spondence. Had any misfortune befallen
him you would doubtless have heard"
you think SO, monsieur?" cried
Blanche, eagerly.
The gentlemen rose and took their de-
4 parture. Blanche stood at the window
watching the soldiers; while the young
officer, full of juvenile Importance, stepped
out to JOIN them, and gave the word Of
command. They wheeled round, formed,
and went away at trot into the woods.
p "Aha!" cried old Hubert, who he'd en-
tered unpreceived. and stool looking over
her shoulder. You see our brave lads
are ready, mademoiselle. They are going
to scour the country; they are going &c
search every hole an2 corner where the
foxes may be hiding; and there Will be no
quarer-none! 1t will teach the cowardly
rascals to stop at home!"
Il Chuckling savagely. and rubbing his
palms together he shuffed from the room.
Toward afternoon the sharp crack OF
rifles was heard from the direction of the
village. 1t was very struggling, and soor
ceased. About an hour later it begaI
again, coming this time much nearer, till
st filled the woods Immediately surround.
ing the house. Then Blanche heard, be.
sides the sound of firing. the loud voices
Of men, and, peering out, saw figures com
ing and going, guns in hand, among The
distant trees.
Presently she saw one of the farm Ia
3orers running bareheaded toward the ch l.
teau, the door of which opened to receiv,
him.
A minute afterward Hubert ran into tht
room.
Victory. mademoiselle! he cried. "Ou
brave fellows have surprised body of thu
euemy's cavalry and peppered them from
the woods. They have had their bellyful
Il warrant you! Many of them are dom
for, and the rest are scampering ava.
coward havre. But what are you doing?
he added, nervously. For heavens SAX
come away from the window!
Scarcely needing what he said, Blanch
continued to gaze steolily at the group o
men in the distance. She saw that it wa
composed partly of soldiers in uniform
partly of peasants in blouses; but some o
the latter Carried arms like the soldiers.
Presently there was n movement anon
them, and thres or four began walking Il
the direction Of the chataan; and as thes
came nearer, Blanche recognized among
them the young officer who had visited
her duriug the afternoon.
Without hesitation she crossed the ter
race and descended the flight of stone
steps in front of the chateau. Hubert
the rI:tnre of misery, followed closely
behind her She then crossed the flower.
garden and met the officer as he emerged
hom the plantations.
1t is all over, mademoiselle!" ht
cried. smiling. We nave beaten than.
WAS il a battle, monsieur" asked