The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-09-09
CHAPTER ~,
POES-IND A FRIEND.


Knowing now that escape was impossi-
BILE, Blanche stepped out from her hiding
place and stood, pale as death, but rese-
Lutte, booking at the two officers, for such
they we're. The elder man apparently lit
tie moved by her sex and helplessness
surveyed ner nom head to foot with an
angry scowl; but the other, with light
laugh, leaped from his saddle and leading
his morse by the reign, walked close ap to
hes. She met his eTes without finehing,
Though it seemed to her as If her last hour
haG come. To her surprise; however, he
he spoke quite fuently and with the
slightest possible accent.
Pardon me, fraulein, but it is late
helr for one so young to be abroad. M5
friend here is impetuous. and you have
had narrow escape with life"
His manner gave her courage; and, stiG
keeping her eyes upon his face, she drew
herself up proudly as she replied:
I.dwell at the Chateau of Grandpre-"
q coarse laugh, and cried in French,
which he spoke with q thick Teutonic ac-
cent:
HS ueNlll 1ptl0 IdS SOuloSC, tAO llltlS
she-sox! Lift the baggage up on my sad
die, Hartmann, and I will carry her back
to caGp."
Hartmann, as his companion called him,
answered with On angry look, and again
addressing Blanche, said quietly:
do not alarp yourself, fraulein. My
friend is an ugly fellow, but does not mean
what he says"
He is a coward" answered Blanche,
firmly, 1or he would not have killed my
poor Gaston!"
DO you mean that dog9 Then it was
yours?" -.
YES, was the reply; and as she gave it;
Blanche gazed at the dead body through
binding tears.
The man on horseback laughed again.
Thank your stars, girl, that it was moi
you I killed, but the curl" he cried.
Silence, Vogel!" exclaimed the other
DO you not see the young lady is ter
I am not terrified" said Blanche. Il
nm French, and do not fear tho enemies
Of my country. = 81.
Hartmann looked at her with quiet
smile. It was curious, but his eyes were
quite geatle and his manner more and
in9te kind.
Il am sorry this has happened, fraulein.
We Germans, assure YOU, do not ruake
,-or ~ ZEN or children or dumb aui.
mails. nal Ha1s Soa parents, little one?
Il have father" answered Blanche.
HE must te careless father, ] am
afraid, to suffer You to be wandering in the
woods alone at so perilous time"
He is with the army OF the Moth. .
cried Blanche, fighting for the Father
land"
Come, nartmer," cneo the mounted
Uhlan, imratiently moving away.
Hartmann prepared 10 remount; then,
hesitatirg, he again looked at Blanche.
.Take my advice AID hasten home. More
Of our people are about and there may be
fresh danger. l should be sorry if any
evil came to you. Over there in Germany
l have dear sister of my own"
He leaped into the saddle and, with q
nod and smile, rode away after Ills COM
panion.
For some minutes Blanche remained
stupefed. All had occurred so suddenly
that as yet she could scarcely realize the
situation; but as the truth dawnad upon
her, and she found herself safo and un-
harmed, the tension of her runS-nphe yes
gave way, and shs T. Gan 10 sob hy>teri-
cal Y. Eenling over the dead bo!y OF tho
cog, she tried 10 discoveraay signs of lltoi
but there wero mono: it ha b en- k.lled
Instant neluIlv. lfec heat swe led with
hnte an liuIi suation glinsI his de-
stroEcr.
1t wsS growrg 4; rk. to- MACK cloU a
we el"i:ti q rapl ly mp from the sen Sac
iem ln''e,ed tho STANCE Of W rain !,
III, nftsr ono last lnoi n tho deal dog.
she pr p 10 | 10 h T:y b ck 10 III. ch to III
u h, n the sound o. u voc, arrested her.
"Ah. II j. Won, III: drmoi-o 10. Thauk
Go /, We 10 u Il yen" IT said. have
.eon ~cnr:hir, for yoI through ia; vi. =
| ,ge, To-, LOOK ION there j. terrrb he w..
The n"c lrsel Ch AS Are u.'oi u; III
swa.rS!"
"Ihs Thl ns!" sill Blan"ho. "Yes,
Eou2el. kscS, for t. ey ahot poor Gas
Sac turned as she spoke aud loi tt
the de1d hound Which l.y at tue new
con or feet.
Ire man loo';ed Mt The n'tinal. Then
he turned to his mi tess with a sinister
smile.
u saw them, he aid. Il was crouching
in the bust,es ycuder aud saw Them pass. 1t
is we'll for them, Mile. blanche, that yon
wore here, otherwise one of them would lie
living where CASTOR lies now. had my
gun ready, pointing ct the monsters he art,
and did not fire because thought Of you.