The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-09-30
T'ViiztLife and Death
UNDER MEDICAL ADVICE.
A Story Of the Franco.
Prussian War.
BY ROBERT BUCHANAN.
CHAPTER IX.
HARTMANN ENCRnACHES.

since Blanche had received news from he,
father was beginning to cause her very
grave anxiety. True, he had warned hel
that this might occur; and he had begged
Of her not to be troubled by useless fears
II at any time all communication between
them should cease. Nevertheless, try ss
she would, she could not keep off 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 hao
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 Gavrolles than his manned
arm which kept him at the chateau.
But at last, as he stood at his window
watching he slim figure of the young girl
rs she moved up and down the terrace,
the truth came to him with startling vivid
ness. It was terrible discovery, and IN
those FIRST few moments brought him al
most as much pain Us pleasure. Never.
: theless, the truth must be acknowledged,
and in acknowledging it, he knew that
, Blanche de Garvolles was likely to he
come more to him than his country or his
life.
What was to be done? Should he repay
good with evil-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 love must cause? Whereas, II
he left her now, he could do so, he be-
lieved, without causing her one single
pang.
And yet how could he 60? He was
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 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 well have bullet through my heart
as look of reproaoh from her eyes; for,
strong man as I am, it would kill me"
IS Hurriedly descending he made his way
TO the terrace, but it wes 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 he
was about to return, thinking she might
even then be in ono of the rooms at the
chateau, when suddenly he glanced toward
the open door of the little Chapel of Oul
Lady and saw Blanche quietly issuing
from the porch.
.a As she had not noticed him he drew
( back; for she was closely followed by and
5 seemed in deep conversation with an elder
ly woman. They passed close bv 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
young girls ear.
1You do we'll to pray for your father,
j she said; sou, 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 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
Uhlau came forward.
Fixing his eyes fercely upon the old
woman, he bade her depart; then he
turned courteously to Blanche.
4Fraulein, he said, may I have the
honor of conducting you back to the cha
1eau; or, if You wish to linger abroad,
may inger with you? 1t is not safe for
you 10 wander abroad alone; and though
am your country's enemy I may be able
to protect you.
Before replying, Bl7nche glanced timid-
ly around.
Hartmann, noticing her look said:
@Your tormentor has goue, YOU see. l
have marked her face well. that l may
never accept even drink of water at hel
hands. All, fraulein. your countrywoniSl
are not like you, more's the pity; were it
Z 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
dier, tenderly, might have lost n father!"
The girl turned an agonized face to his
@Has my father then fallen. monsieur?"
she SAID in q voice of such suppressed
agony that it rent the soldiers heart.
Fl i trust not, frauleiu; but he is at the
seat Of war"
~Ah! yes; he is at the war; but 7 pray
TO God night and day to send him safely
back 10 me-"
And pray that your prayer may be
( granted. Your father is very dear to you,
! Is he not?:"
He is all 7 have II the world"
For O time the two wolked on in silence;
then they paused, with their faces turned
toward the sea, and rs soldier spoke
again: ~
sorrow, fraulein?" he said.
Never, until my father left me to 60 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, i have had terri
BILE dreams.
She paused, glanced hesitatingly at
him; then, reassured by the look on his
fac, she continued:
"For several nights now had dreame,.
that my father was with me-not here at
the chateau, but on some lonely plain
and each time We have been together he
has placed his hand on my head and muir
INJURED: God bless YOU, my poor Blanche .
And, losing for q moment her habitual
self possession, she covered her face with
her hands and sobbed bitterly.
I The soldier waited until the violence Of
her grief had passed away. Then he