The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-09-02

~ Ihere was Scanty cOnSEeSdtloH, coH
sisting for the most part of peasan
women, who, during the religious ceremo'
mics, whispered much among themselves
and otherwise paid unusually little atten'
fion to the ministrations of Father Andre
the cure. The service over, all seemed
greatly relieved and pressed rapidly out
into the open air to find the churchyarc
thronged with eager groups of villagert
who were eagerly discussing news just
communicated by telegraph from the seal
of war
The Chevaner and his daughter were
almost the last to leave. AS they fingered
In the porch they we're joined by Father
Andre. who salutedi them with friendly
teSpect
Seen thus race 10 lace. Ins Cnevalier and
the little priest offered striking contrast,
for the former was tall, powerfully
built man of forty-fve, with erect, mill
tary carrilge and face still preserving
much Of the freshness of youth; while the
latter, short, plump and rotund, was well
on in the sixties, with head that dropped
between his shoulders and hair frosted
over with silver rime.
bad news, Chevalier!" cried Father
Andre, nodding nervously at the groups
in the churchyard. You have heard OF
course?"
sYes, Father, was the reply; "the Ger
mans are rapidly advancing, and we are
soon to taste the horrors of defeat in grim
earnest"
,5 As he spoke he glanced somewhat visit
fully at the fair face of the girl, looking
eagerly and wonderingly into his-a spirit
ualized and softened reflection Of his own
face, without the lines left by time OF
sorrow.
-Grim earnest, es you say!" cried the
little priest, with pugnacious toss of the
head. But let them look to it-let them
bake care; they may 60 step too far, these
Germans. Our bayonets will dig their
graves. though they were twenty times as
many"
The Chevalier sighed as he responded:
After all, they are but paying an old
dobt. We overran their country as they
ore oyerrunning ours" ''-s-
But it is diherent-it is widely differ
emit. The great Napoleon"
desolation and misery far and
wide, interrupted the Chevalier.
~-ss great soldier. a miraculous;
soldier" =
:4s:sat soldier, granted, i,i;sd bat little
man, Father. We are reaping now what
he sowed before We were born!'
Father Andre, perspiring violently. Mt
tered an angry exclamation; then, conquer
ing his excitement, he forced smile and
added:
.Ah! but I know-e7ery one knows-you
are man of peace! From the first you
have said we were in the wrong. Well, it
may be possible; but our folly, if it were
folly, was expiated by the foolish En-
peror at Sedan. Now it is another affair.
The country is in danger, Chevalier. All
true men are focking to the standard OF
our beloved France. I swear to you that
If were O few years younger, and did
not wear this black coat, I would be fight
ing at the front myself"
Once more the Chevalier glanced ten
derly at his daughter. and his countenance
grew troubled with some inner pain.
will you dine with rs tonight, Father
Andre?" he asked. Il have something
very particular to say to you.
Many thanks, Chevalier; will come.
7 must crave madepoiselle's pardon O
thousand times if l have frightened hel
with my warlike talk"
s"I am not frightened" answered
Blanche, with gentle smile; "only was
thinking how terrible is war! Why can
not men love one another, and remain al
peace?"
quitting the cnurchyard, the Chevaliel
md his daughter took path which led
by circuitous route up to the summit OF
the sea-cliffs.
On the very summit Of the cliff, to the
oe E%rato{ 1oobinr caowor1 cfonAe
the tiny chapel of Notre Dame de 10 Garde
(Our Lady of Safety, the door of which is
! spen day and night, and the altar of which
I, is hung with all sorts of rude votive offer
ings, made by the fishermen and those who
live there. Hither father and daughter
bent their footsteps. and presently enter
fng the little chapel, stood for o few min-
utes in meditation.
Over the altar hung rude picture, rep
resenting shipwrecked sailoss on raft
while above them, through an opening IL
fhe cloud, appeared miraculous vision
Our Lady herself. Only one other person
was in the building-a very old woman
Z aneelipg before the picture, praying volu
bly and telling her beads. Presently sh
rose to her feet and hobbled to the door
still muttering to herself. She paused OF
the cliff and looked down at the calm sea
moving her head painfully from side t
side.
The Chevalier and his daughter ap
preached her.
Good day. mother" said the former
{ Were you offering up prayer for som
one out yonder on the sea-"
The old woman looked at him from hea
70 foot, then at the fair girl at his side.
MY son is not fisherman" she an
4swered: 4he is soldier"
We'll, 1t ls the same thlng. Inere 81
perils on the land as we'll as on the ocear
nnd Just now worse perils. Where is you
Son at present?"
@At the 'front.'" was the reply. "Th
good God only knows If he lives still.
She added savagely: 1The accursed Ge
mans! I have heard that out there
Lorraine. where the Prussians came, OF
5 .Solks poisoned the spring wells. 1t we
veil done-well done!"
NAY, mother; it was wickedly done,
done at ALI" cried Blanche, indignant.
j 'sRut III never believe it of our bra1
countrymen!"
4 The old woman looked at her balefull.
TT is ell very we'll" she returned. Afe
Z ,ane folks like you to talk like that! Yo
aristocrats look on while we poor folks 1T
: driven out to die. My son is pc rsant.
could not buy him substitute; he had t
go"
Let it comfort you, said the gr], tina
he g fight ng for noble cause!" =,
"A roble cause. What care l Tor th
csuse! want my son. Had he been mn
gentleman like him beside you, he Woul
have STAYED safe OF home: but ne was poo'
~ nave sald. ana tney took nlm 1rom m
my Jean, my only son! All, 1t is an IN
fanny! There is one God for the Eoor al