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

! But shall remember them, and you shall
| be ave-n,Adi
The girl shuddered
Thank God was here" she said. 1T
| would have been too terrible!'
What is terrible, mademoiselle-to slay
the enemies of my country? The Cbeva-
lier, my m !ster, has gone to do it; VII
should moi 7? i
"Ah! but that is different, H.
father is fighting in fair NJ >"Rti MY
he would not slay m CT M - Spen Dat!le;
q tree" y from oellnd
> -.sn hlusled lsheepishly and looked
, uown, He eouii aot say whit was in his
mind, or he would have said, Il care for
my councry, but I care more for you.
These men have made YOU shed tears, they
| have filled Your heart with sorrow; ana
for that would shoot them like dogs"
Although he was still a young man. he
was the girls senior by several years, and
| all his life had been spent in the forests
OF Grandpre. His father and grandfather
before him had been keepers OF the forest,
and in the service of the De Gavrolles.
For the rest, he was handsome fellow,
and endowed with all the manliness which
comes to the occupation OF forester. hs
could have had hR pick of the village
beauties, but his atfst waJ entirely de-
voted to his mistress.
II ne had been & rase man, and had
taken thought fer the future, he would
sssi,reu,, g. - have clipped in the bud this un-
wise nass's: So. ~hiah aes!d certainly bring
him naught but pain; but he was LIZ. :
wise man at heart so far rs Blanche was
concerned, and he preferred not to think |
of the future. It was quite enough for !
him to know that he could stand br~o
the window Of the Ia. cc..a.sau and listen
T. hile Blanche played to her father of an
evening; or that he could stroll down to
thechateau of morning and watch for |
hsr temperance, certain of receiving smile !
and pleasan. ~v.~. .Aame
For blanche, quite ignorant OF the ~,
abe ySs tanning, was particularly amla9ao
to the Young forester, and accepted ms ue
votioa very graciously, but quite N !ss
spirit as a young princess receiving sAe , ,
homage of subject. -: - i
Have YOU been into the village, Hou-
zel?" said Blanche, creeping nearer to his
side. -,
of YOU, msdemoiselle. When heard you !
had left the chateau, was in terror lest !
the Germans should modest you. And now,
my dear young mistress, hasten, he !
added. Let US get Into the &helter of ne
house. Do not fear; will zee that you
are safe,
Blanche looked at the deg.
And poor Gaston?" she said; "he cam
not be left here, Houzel. I should like
him to be carried home and buried in the
garden, close to the sun-dial."
The forester nodded.
Il will see you safe first, mademoisssie;
then will return for the hound ani DO as
you wish. Come!"
He shouldered his, gun and held forth
h1s arm. Blanche laid her hand o@|it, and
the two walked away together.
They soon reached the chateau. Their
arrival was opportene, for the servants,
alarmed at the protracted absence OF their
mistress, had aimed themselves with
torches, and, healed by old Hubert, who
was trembling With fear, we're preparing
to pet out in search of Blanche. With
low bow to his mistress and;a contemptu.
,ous look at the quaking figure of the old
butler, Houzel turned from the chateau TO
retrace his steps through tie forest, whe1
the voice of his mistress arrested him.
"Houzel," che said, verg gently, you
iare very rash and headstrong. Promise
me that you will not rush heedlessly into
| danger"
But must so and bury your dog, made
moiselle."
BE it so; but come to ne when you re-
turn, that may know yon are safe"
Flushed and elated, Houzel retraced MS
ste9s along the road which he and Blanche
had trodden. All was quiet now and the
! moon was shining brightly. The hound
lay where he had fallen; and Houzel saw
now, what he had not noticed Eefore, q
white flmy substance lying near to the
hound.
Trembling with emotion, he kissed the
precious token and thrust it into his
breast; then, lifting the dog, he made his
way again to the chateau. He reached it
tunmolested. But instead of entering, he
carried his burden straight to the garden
and buried il near the un-dial as Blanche
had directed. Then he went to the house,
and was shown straight to the drawing
room, where Blanche was sitting.
"Ah! I am glad you have returned"
said Blanche. did you hear anything
more?"
Nothing, mademoiselle; all is quiet
now. / have buried CASTOR, and. he
added, beneath bis breath, 7 sbouru l.aS
to put 3 bulist through the heart of the
man 1ho killed him!"'
lro BE CONTINUED