Passaic City record., 1891-06-20

/ O16uS6, L SllObAo soy sA1SAt -"
HE IS faithful, replied Blanche, gen.
tly.
shruogine his shoulders. But do not
wonder that he is faithful to you
Houzel, who heard every word, shook
like leaf, but made no other sign.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE FORESTER.
! In the edge of the woods of Grandpre,
| not far fromthe spot where Blanche de
Gavrolles had first encountered the Ger
man officer, stood a one stored cottage,
looking seaward toward the cliffs. In
summer time wild roses and creepers COW
cred the porch and overhung the windows,
but in late autumn the place looked DESC
late enough. The furniture within was
rude and simple, the floors of coarse deal,
but in the recesses were large presses or
wardrobes of old oak which had been
there from time immemorial. In this
cottage had dwelt the Houzels, fathers
and sons, for several generations, but now
the young keeper was its only tenant.
| Houzel regarded his Office with abund-
ant pride and guarded the preserves as
tendelly as if they were treasures of gold.
| When he did catch o trespasser after game
he was sensible enough to take the law
| into his own hands instead of dragging
the offender before the Cheyalier, who
would have dismissed him with slight
rebuke; so what the bad characters of the
neighborhood had to dread was not the
law and prison, but severe thrashlng
/ from the forester and keeper, of whom,
! indeed, they were thoroughly afraid.
| The night after the meeting between
Blanche and the German, Houzel watched
the chateau till he found that every one
! had retired to rest and then, with face
as black as thunder, strobe down to the
cottage. Entering, he threw aside his
gun and sat down by the fire, where the
old man, his assistant. was already sit
ting, cleaning a rusty fowling- piece.
We'll, master, what news?" asked the
old man, after a long silence. You look
as if you had seen ghost.
| Il have seen the German" returned
Houzel, with an imprecation He is still
there at the chateau; and, look you,
Mademoiselle Blanche treats him as if he
were one of ourselves Frenchman!"
| "Ah! that is bad, very bad!"
"Bad-it is Infamous! I have mind,
some of these days, to serve him as he
served mademoiselle's hound-to put
bullet through his heart? What think you
ne sdlu III NY uedrluB, huoticds aoo
mine was dogs vocation. Well, he shall
find that the dog can bite.
"These Germans are the devil, master,
said Andreas, servilely. They are eat
| ing us up alive-locusts. And as soon as
one is slain there comes thousand; and
every day it is growing worse"
| Instead of replying Hauzel rose and be-
gan pacing to and fro the glowing cham
Der.
mo word from the Chevalier?" asked
| Andreas presently.
Houzel shook his head gloomily, while
the other added:
| a"If he has fallen, master, Mile. Blanche
will be an orphan. That will be bad, very
bad"
@Yes, you are right She has only her
/ father
Let me see, muttered Andreas, glanc-
ing slyly at the other as he spoke. How
old is my young lady?"
"She is eighteen in January. The fifth
is her fete day. Yes, nearly eighteen
@old enough to marry, master" sug-
gested Andreas.
You are fool!" said the young man in
tone so savage that the old man almost
started from his seat. who talks of mar
rying? Mile. Blanche is child. Per-
haps she will never marry.
yet, as you say should anything hap
pen to the old Chevalier she will be alone.
bad, very badl" murmured Andreas,
in his pet phrase "She will have no one
to protect her.
"She will have mel" returned Houzel.
in the former savage way. No harm will
come to her while am near"
Perfectly; but that is different"
You mean that / am not her equal?"
demanded the young man; adding, while
che other coughed apologetically, We'll,
you are right; am her fathers servant
and hers. For the rest, she has no equal
in the world"
The conversation ended, and sullen
silence followed, which was not broken
till the old man rose, bade Houzel good
night" and shuffied off to bed. Houzel
remained seated by the fire, staring gloom
| lily into the burning wood. The flame fell
upon him, suffusing his sunburnt face and
| neck with a deeper red.
THE German was right" he NUT
tered. 1T is dogs service after all What
am / better than her hound, that would
run after her, obey her bidding and lick
her hand? Well, that alone would con-
| tent me; I ask no more. Yet when she
| speaks to him, our enemy, she is changed;
ner race Is ulHefenC, ana tnlnk some
| times Pshaw! 1 am a fool for my
| pains. I at LEAST am Frenchman; he,
one of the accursed vermin who are desc
lating France"
When day broke Houzel was at his post
watching the chateau. Before the sun
was visible in the heavens Blanche came
forth and found him leaning against
, tree, his eyes upon the terrace. She
smiled gently as he saluted her, and said:
Here again, Houzel You are like
my shadow, and wherever I turn I find
you.
Your pardon, mademoiselle, he re-
piled. Il am watching the German pris-
| oner."
Surely that does not concern you. Be-
sides, he has given his parole.
Il do not trust him, was the gruff reply.
you are a true Frenchman" she said,
laughing. you hate the poor gentleman
simply because he is a stranger and Ger
pan"
He finds his prison pleasant mademoi-
selle," returned the keeper, significantly